Many students struggle with synthesizing information across multiple countries rather than treating each system in isolation. The exam requires you to make comparisons and draw connections, which means understanding not just what each government does, but why and how it differs from others. Additionally, keeping track of complex political terminology and institutional names across six different systems can feel overwhelming without a structured approach to organizing your notes.

The exam consists of two sections: a 100-minute multiple-choice section (50 questions) and a 100-minute free-response section (4 questions). The multiple-choice tests your factual knowledge and ability to identify examples, while the free-response questions require you to analyze comparisons between countries, explain political processes, and make evidence-based arguments. Success requires both content mastery and strong analytical writing skills.

A score of 3 or higher is considered passing and earns college credit at most institutions, though requirements vary by school. Scores of 4 or 5 are typically needed for strong credit or placement into higher-level courses. With focused preparation and consistent practice, most students can improve their baseline score by 1-2 points through targeted tutoring that addresses their specific weak areas, whether that's multiple-choice strategy or free-response analysis.

Most students benefit from 3-4 months of consistent preparation, starting around January for the May exam. This allows time to learn the six countries' systems, practice comparing them, and work through multiple practice tests. However, the quality of your study matters more than quantity—focused sessions with a tutor who helps you identify gaps and refine your comparison skills are more effective than passive reading or cramming.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can help you organize information about each country's system, develop comparison frameworks that make connections clear, and practice the specific skills the exam tests. A tutor can also review your practice test responses to identify whether you're struggling with content gaps or with translating your knowledge into strong free-response answers—then target instruction accordingly.

Practice tests are essential—they familiarize you with the exam's pacing, question formats, and the specific types of comparisons the College Board emphasizes. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions helps you identify which countries or topics you know well versus where you need more review. Many students find that reviewing their practice test mistakes with a tutor is where real improvement happens, since it reveals whether errors stem from careless reading or actual content gaps.

Your first session is typically an assessment and planning conversation. A tutor will ask about your current understanding of the six countries, review any practice test scores you have, and identify which topics or question types feel most challenging. Together, you'll create a personalized study plan that focuses on your specific needs—whether that's building foundational knowledge, mastering comparison skills, or refining your test-taking strategy.