Yes. The AP US Government exam covers five main units: Foundations of American Democracy, Interactions Among Branches of Government, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, American Political Ideologies and Beliefs, and Political Participation. Tutors work with you to master all units, with extra focus on whichever topics give you the most trouble—whether that's understanding separation of powers, Supreme Court cases, or the nuances of constitutional interpretation.

The AP exam has three sections: 55 multiple-choice questions (45 minutes), 3 short-answer questions (40 minutes), and 1 free-response essay (25 minutes). Tutors teach you pacing strategies for each section, help you recognize question patterns, and show you how to structure compelling free-response answers that earn full credit. Practice under timed conditions is essential, so expect your tutor to use real AP exams to build speed and accuracy.

The best way is to take a full practice test under timed conditions, then review your results section by section. You'll quickly see whether you're struggling with multiple choice (concept understanding), short answers (explaining relationships between institutions), or free response (argument construction and evidence use). Tutors use this diagnostic approach to create a personalized study plan that targets your specific gaps rather than reviewing everything equally.

Absolutely. Test anxiety often comes from feeling unprepared or uncertain about what to expect. When you work with a tutor, you build confidence through repeated practice with real exam questions, learn proven test-taking strategies, and understand exactly what the graders are looking for in each section. Knowing you've thoroughly prepared the material—and practiced under realistic conditions—significantly reduces anxiety on test day.

Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. Expect to take a diagnostic quiz or review a recent practice test to identify your strengths and weaknesses across the five AP units. Your tutor will ask about your current grade in the class, your target score, and how much time you have before the exam. From there, you'll build a customized study plan that prioritizes the topics and question types where you need the most help.

Yes. Varsity Tutors connects Portland students with expert tutors who specialize in AP US Government and know the exam inside and out. With 221 schools across the Portland area serving over 75,000 students, there's strong demand for AP test prep, and tutors are available to work with your schedule and learning style. Whether you're at Lincoln High, Cleveland, or another Portland school, you can get matched with a tutor who fits your needs.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent tutoring before the May exam, meeting once or twice per week. If you're starting later or have significant gaps in understanding, more frequent sessions help you catch up. The exact timeline depends on your current knowledge level and target score—a tutor will help you create a realistic schedule during your first session that balances depth of learning with your other commitments.