Score improvement depends on your starting point and how much you practice. Students who receive personalized 1-on-1 instruction typically see the most significant gains when they're committed to consistent practice between sessions. Tutors can help you identify your specific weak areas—whether that's rhetorical analysis, managing timed writing, or understanding complex argumentative structure—and create a focused study plan. The national average AP English Language score is around 2.9 out of 5, so many students find that targeted instruction helps them reach a 4 or 5.

Both sections challenge students differently. The reading/multiple-choice section requires you to quickly identify rhetorical strategies and understand nuanced arguments—many students struggle with pacing and distinguishing between similar answer choices. The free-response essays demand that you apply what you've learned while managing time pressure and constructing clear, evidence-based arguments. Tutors can help you develop specific strategies for each section: speed-reading techniques and annotation methods for reading, and outlining and thesis-development strategies for writing.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of what to expect. Working with a tutor helps build confidence through repeated practice with real AP exam formats and timed drills. Tutors can teach you stress-management strategies like breaking the exam into manageable chunks, identifying which questions to tackle first, and reviewing your work efficiently. Many students find that practicing under timed conditions and getting immediate feedback on their responses significantly reduces anxiety on exam day.

Most students benefit from taking at least 3-4 full-length practice tests during their preparation, with spacing between them so you can identify weak areas and address them with focused study. Taking practice tests too early (before you've learned the material) can be demoralizing, but taking them consistently in the weeks before the exam helps you adjust to pacing and question formats. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results to pinpoint exactly which rhetorical strategies, argument structures, or writing techniques need more work.

Many students can identify individual rhetorical devices but struggle to explain why an author used them and what effect they create. Effective rhetorical analysis requires connecting devices to the author's purpose and audience—not just listing what you see. Tutors help students move beyond surface-level observation to deeper understanding by teaching them to ask: "How does this choice persuade the reader?" and "What would be different without it?" Practicing this kind of analytical thinking with guided feedback dramatically improves performance on both the multiple-choice and essay sections.

For 10th graders, starting tutoring in the fall or early winter gives you plenty of time to build strong foundational skills in rhetorical analysis and argumentation before the May exam. However, even starting a few months before the test can help you refine your skills and boost your score. The key is consistency—regular sessions where you practice with real exam materials and get personalized feedback on your writing and analysis are far more effective than cramming closer to test day. Varsity Tutors can connect you with expert tutors for students in Queens who specialize in AP English Language.