Many 12th graders struggle with the three main essays—the synthesis essay, rhetorical analysis, and argument essay—each requiring different skills and pacing strategies. Time management is another major hurdle; students often spend too long on the multiple-choice section and rush through essays. Additionally, understanding what the College Board means by 'rhetorical strategy' and how to analyze it deeply (rather than just identifying it) trips up a lot of students. A tutor can break down each essay type and help you develop a personalized pacing strategy that works for your strengths.

Your first session is all about assessment and planning. A tutor will likely review your current skills—perhaps by looking at a practice essay or discussing your strengths and weaknesses—and ask about your goals and timeline. This helps them understand whether you need broad skill-building or targeted work on specific essay types. By the end of the session, you'll have a clear picture of what to focus on and how tutoring can help you prepare for the May exam.

The rhetorical analysis essay rewards deep, specific analysis of how an author uses language to achieve their purpose. Many students list rhetorical devices without explaining their effect—a tutor can teach you to move beyond identification to genuine analysis. Practice with sample passages, learning to spot patterns in an author's choices and articulate why those choices matter, is key. Working through several essays with feedback helps you internalize the skill and build confidence in your ability to analyze unfamiliar texts quickly on test day.

The 3-hour exam includes 45 minutes for 27 multiple-choice questions and 2 hours 15 minutes for three essays. A smart strategy is spending about 15 minutes per essay (including planning and writing), which leaves time for revision. Many students rush the multiple-choice section and then feel panicked during essays. A tutor can help you practice under timed conditions, find your optimal pacing, and develop strategies to stay calm and focused when the clock is ticking.

Taking full-length, timed practice tests regularly—ideally every 1-2 weeks starting 8-10 weeks before the exam—helps you build stamina and identify weak spots. However, quality matters more than quantity; one practice test analyzed thoroughly with a tutor is more valuable than five tests completed without feedback. A tutor can help you review your practice test results, pinpoint patterns in your mistakes, and adjust your study plan accordingly, ensuring each test moves you closer to your goal score.

The synthesis essay asks you to develop an argument while incorporating at least three of the provided sources. The key is to use sources as evidence for your own thesis, not just summarize them. Many students struggle with integrating sources smoothly and avoiding over-reliance on quotes. A tutor can teach you how to select the most relevant sources for your argument, weave them in naturally, and maintain your own voice while citing evidence—skills that significantly boost your essay score.

Look for tutors with strong writing skills, familiarity with the AP Language exam format and scoring rubric, and experience helping students improve their essay writing. Ideally, they've taught or tutored AP Language before and understand the specific challenges of each essay type. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can assess your needs and create a personalized study plan tailored to your goals and timeline before the May exam.