Award-Winning AP Physics Tutors
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Award-Winning AP Physics Tutors serving Virginia Beach, VA
Certified Tutor
10+ years
A chemical and biomolecular engineering degree means Steve spent years applying thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and electromagnetism to real systems — the same core principles that drive AP Physics 1 and 2. He's particularly sharp at teaching students how to connect free-body diagrams to Newton's l...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelors
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Aaron
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Justin
I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics
University of Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Phillip
I'm a rising junior at Brown University studying biomedical engineering. I have lots of experience in middle school through college level instruction in STEM and SAT/ACT prep. My goal is to provide a fun and productive learning environment by only teaching subjects that I am passionate about.
Brown University
Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Certified Tutor
3+ years
Ava
I am current master's student pursuing an advanced degree in environmental engineering. I have about 3 years of experience tutoring a standard math and science curricula to students ranging in age from 7-17. I attended college at Washington University in St. Louis receiving a degree in mechanical en...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering (2020)
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Aimee
I am a current (though almost graduated) student in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. I absolutely love teaching and tutoring, and I have 3 years experience tutoring and just over a year's experience in being a teacher's assistant. I am passionate about math and science, and I love helping peopl...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Bachelor of Science, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Current Grad Student, Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Certified Tutor
7+ years
Michael
I am a lifelong learner, teacher, and researcher in the field of physics. I received a PhD in Physics from the University of Michigan and a BS in Physics from Rice University. I have four years of physics teaching experience at the University of Michigan, primarily undergraduate laboratory courses w...
Rice University
Bachelor of Science, Physics
University of Michigan
Doctor of Philosophy, Physics
Rice University
BS in Physics
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Bidyut
I am an undergraduate of the Johns Hopkins University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science. I have years of experience tutoring and teaching math and various sciences from an elementary to a college level. I primarily tutor college level courses such as physics and biochemistry, ...
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Dennis
I'm Dennis. I study physics, math, and computer science. I have done research about cosmic ray acceleration at supernova shock fronts in the Princeton University Department of Astrophysics, simulating how the turbulent plasmas push protons and ions. I have also worked at the Norfolk State University...
Princeton University
Bachelor of Science
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
6+ years
JF
I'm a freshman at Stanford University pursuing a degree in mathematical and computational science. I've been tutoring students from grades 3-12 throughout high school, and I look forward to continue in college. Nothing excites me more than learning something new, and I strive to share my excitement ...
Stanford University
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science
Certified Tutor
Richard
I am a rising senior at Harvard College pursuing an AB in Government. Academically, I have diverse interests, including history, language, math, physics, philosophy, music, and politics. In high school, I tutored elementary, middle, and high school students in music, math, ACT and SAT prep, and Span...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts, Government
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Sanjana
I'm a sophomore at Harvard studying Applied Math, Economics, and Computer Science. I've tutored in a variety of subjects throughout high school and currently work part-time as a Course Assistant for an Introductory Calculus course at Harvard. I especially love tutoring math and making it a more acce...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics
Certified Tutor
Fred
I am a May 2012 graduate of Princeton University with a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering currently working in Midtown Manhattan as a consultant. In the past I have had a variety of opportunities to tutor - from one on one tutoring for the SAT in high school and peer tutoring in college...
Princeton University
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
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Frequently Asked Questions
AP Physics covers two main tracks: AP Physics 1 (algebra-based) and AP Physics 2 (algebra-based continuation), or AP Physics C (calculus-based). Both focus on mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual understanding alongside problem-solving, with heavy emphasis on experimental design and data analysis—skills that make up a significant portion of the exam.
Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you engage with tutoring. Students who work with tutors on targeted practice typically see gains of 1-3 score points on the 1-5 AP scale, especially when they focus on their weakest topics. The key is identifying conceptual gaps early—many students struggle with specific problem types or topics like circular motion or energy conservation, and personalized instruction helps clarify these efficiently.
Students often struggle with translating word problems into equations, understanding when to apply different physics principles, and managing the multi-step nature of calculations. Pacing is another major challenge—the exam requires both conceptual reasoning and quick problem-solving under time pressure. Additionally, the free-response section demands clear explanation of reasoning, which many students find harder than multiple-choice questions.
Effective strategies include tackling multiple-choice questions efficiently by eliminating obviously wrong answers first, then returning to harder ones. For free-response, start by identifying what the question is asking and drawing diagrams—this clarifies your approach before writing. Practice with released AP exams under timed conditions to build pacing confidence, and learn to estimate answers to check if your calculated result makes physical sense.
Most students benefit from starting test prep 3-4 months before the exam, dedicating 5-8 hours weekly to review and practice. However, if you're struggling with core concepts, starting earlier (6+ months) allows time to build foundational understanding before tackling full practice tests. Consistent, focused study beats cramming—spacing out your practice helps retention and gives tutors time to address gaps systematically.
Look for tutors with strong physics backgrounds—ideally a degree in physics, engineering, or a related field—and proven experience teaching AP Physics specifically. They should understand the exam format, common student misconceptions, and how to explain complex concepts clearly. Experience with both algebra-based and calculus-based tracks is valuable, as is familiarity with the experimental and analytical skills the AP exam emphasizes.
Your first session typically focuses on assessment—the tutor will review your current understanding, identify specific weak areas, and discuss your goals (score target, timeline, particular topics). They'll likely work through a sample problem or two to gauge your problem-solving approach and where misconceptions might exist. This foundation helps create a personalized study plan targeting your needs rather than generic review.
Both topics carry significant weight on the AP Physics exam, but mechanics typically appears more frequently and forms the foundation for understanding other concepts. That said, electricity and magnetism often trip up students because the concepts are less intuitive. A good study approach covers both thoroughly, but if you're short on time, prioritize whichever section appears weaker in your practice test results—targeted effort on weak areas yields the biggest score gains.
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