Your first session is about building a foundation for success. A tutor will assess your current understanding of physics concepts, identify areas where you feel confident, and pinpoint topics that need more work—whether that's kinematics, circular motion, energy conservation, or circuits. You'll also discuss your AP exam goals and timeline so the tutor can create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency with tutoring. Students who work with a tutor regularly and actively practice problems typically see meaningful gains—often moving from a 2 or 3 to a 4 or 5 on the AP exam. The key is identifying your specific weak areas early (whether it's conceptual understanding, problem-solving strategy, or test pacing) and addressing them systematically through targeted practice and feedback.

Many students struggle with translating word problems into physics concepts and equations—knowing which formulas apply and when. Others find the math intimidating, especially if they're weaker in algebra or calculus. Time management on the exam is another big challenge; students often spend too long on difficult problems and rush through easier ones. A tutor can help you develop problem-solving strategies, build confidence with calculations, and practice pacing techniques so you use your 90 minutes effectively.

Practice tests are essential for AP Physics success. They help you get comfortable with the exam format, identify which topics need more review, and build test-taking stamina. Taking full-length practice exams under timed conditions is especially valuable—it reveals pacing issues and helps you develop strategies for managing your time across the multiple-choice and free-response sections. Most tutors recommend completing several practice tests in the weeks leading up to the exam.

Ideally, tutoring works best when you start early in the school year—ideally by fall or early winter—so you have time to build conceptual understanding and practice before the May exam. However, even starting a few months before the test can help if you focus on your weakest areas and practice strategically. If you're already deep into the course and struggling, a tutor can help you prioritize topics and maximize your remaining study time.

Free-response questions require you to show your reasoning and work, not just get the right answer. The key is learning to set up problems clearly—define variables, draw diagrams, write out your approach—before diving into calculations. A tutor can teach you how to organize your solutions so you earn partial credit even if you make a mistake, and they can give you feedback on real AP free-response problems so you practice the exact format you'll see on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Queens who specialize in AP Physics and understand the specific challenges of the course. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your experience level, which AP Physics course you're taking, and your target score so the tutoring is personalized to your goals. Most tutors offer flexible scheduling to fit around your school and extracurricular commitments.