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Erika
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...
Harvard University
Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Certified Tutor
Molly
I am an Illinois certified Teacher in grades K-9. I attended Northwestern University and received a Master's of Science in Education. I have ample classroom experience and expertise in elementary Math and Reading intervention. I have several tools and resources from various curricula to work with an...
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Education
Columbia University in the City of New York
Bachelor in Arts, History

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Nathan
I am currently a student at Rice University studying both History and Neuroscience. Being the oldest of five kids, working with younger students has always been a part of my life. I can tutor a wide variety of subjects, but I specialize in writing, public speaking, and test taking. My goal for every...
Rice University
Bachelor in Arts, History

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Lauren
I am a student at Duke University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Chemistry and German minors. On campus I am involved in the Bilbo lab, which focuses on neuroimmune interactions in abnormal brain development. I am very passionate about helping others enjoy and learn about variou...
Duke University
Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Sarah
I am an incoming freshman at Northwestern University, and I will be studying economics and international studies. I have lots of experience in mentoring students individually and teaching in the classroom through being a student intern for a sophomore honors English class. I love working with studen...
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Economics, Economics

Certified Tutor
Ethan
I am not teaching or grading papers, I can usually be found playing some brass instrument or another, umpiring baseball, trying out a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending far too much time on Netflix.
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts, Environmental Science and Public Policy

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Michael
I'm now a few years removed from academia, I still consider myself an intellect at heart. Stints at New York University's Stern School of Business and Northwestern University have given me extensive scholastic training, and running my own private tutoring service throughout college as a means of mak...
Northwestern University
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
Catherine
I am a graduate student in the humanities who is lucky enough to teach, read, and write for a living. I am passionately committed to educational access and helping young people reach their full potential. It has been my privilege to work with dozens of bright and talented students over the years, ra...
Stanford University
PHD, History
Princeton University
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
Timothy
I am one of many Varsity Tutors. I attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA where I graduated with a 4.3 GPA taking multiple AP and honors courses (AP Bio, Chem, Physics B, Gov, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, English Lit, and English Lang). I also participated in several tutoring organizations...
Drexel University College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelors, Political Science and Government

Certified Tutor
Patrick
I'm a graduate of Duke University where I received a JD and an MA in History. I received my undergraduate degree from Emory University also in History. My legal experience includes working as a summer law clerk for two appellate judges and as a summer associate at a large law firm in New York City. ...
Emory University
Bachelor in Arts, History
Duke University
JD
Duke University
MA in History
Top 20 Social Studies Subjects
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Kevin
AP Statistics Tutor • +47 Subjects
I am currently a rising Junior at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and minoring in Science, Technology, and Society. From early on, the intellectual development of others has been very important to me. In high school, I developed my school's first summer tutoring program to ensure that students retained information and were prepared for the upcoming year. I am most passionate about tutoring Political Science, History, and Math, with significant experience in helping students in each of these subject areas. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and playing the bass. Hobbies: art, reading, writing, books, music
Molly
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am a Communications Major with a penchant for reading, writing, some math, and film! (I picked up a Cinema Studies Minor as well) I used to be an editor in a few newspapers, so I love working with others to improve their writing skills. I have tutored many areas in both high school and college and have coached softball to girls of many ages. I especially love helping students master their test-taking skills, because I understand what it was like having to navigate such a high pressure environment! Providing just a few tools can make a world of difference.
Margot
AP Statistics Tutor • +49 Subjects
I am a student at Boston College studying Economics and English. I have an excellent academic record, haven taken 14 AP courses throughout high school, and have preformed well on many standardized exams. I strive to help other students to do the same! I have three years of experience tutoring peers at high school, college, and privately, primarily in English, Math, and SAT prep. Though I tutor a range of subjects, I am most passionate about helping students conquer Standardized Tests (specifically the reading and writing sections) and English. I want to help students excel on Standardized Exams so they can pursue their higher education goals. I direct my tutoring towards identifying students' learning methods and catering to those to establish continued engagement in doing so, I hope to foster a love of learning similar to mine. Outside of tutoring and school, I enjoy reading and believe that reading consistently is the key to succeeding in writing and preforming well on Standardized Exams. My love for creative writing has also led me to draft a novel which I am continuing to edit, and as an Assistant Director of the Campus Activities Board at Boston College I plan live music-focused events to engage students on campus.
Tom
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am a firm believer that clear, precise communication between student and tutor makes for a productive and fulfilling learning experience. When I work with students, I strive to listen carefully to find out exactly where they are struggling, and to impart corresponding strategies clearly and concisely. I work with them step by step until we zero in on exactly where the problem is occurring, and tailor solutions from there. These collegial and yet very focused discussions go a long way toward helping me to discern where the student needs help and helping the student to master the content he or she must learn, besides ensuring a pleasant and interesting learning experience.
Deirdre
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +23 Subjects
I am currently living and working in Boston, where I grew up. I received my BA in History of Science from Harvard University, completing coursework in history, government, social sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics. I recently graduated with First Honors from National University of Ireland, Galway with my Masters in Gender, Globalization, and Human Rights. I was just accepted to medical school at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and will begin there in the fall of 2018. Hobbies: reading, music, writing, art, sports, books, traveling, travel
Kristin
Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects
I am a current Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing accelerated student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a BA in Biological Sciences and minor in Philosophy. I have always had a deep and lifelong love of learning that I wish to impart to other students. My goal is to help students achieve their learning needs by utilizing a passionate, creative, and fun teaching approach. I have extensive experience in the subjects of Biology, Life Science, U.S. History, and the Social Sciences.
Vivian
Calculus Tutor • +66 Subjects
I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in violin performance at the Juilliard School. I have tutored privately and through Chegg Tutoring, Varsity Tutors, PrepExpert, and iLearn World throughout high school and college, with most of my experience being in standardized test prep and English. The most fulfilling moments that I have with my students are when I see them applying previous lessons and skills to new challenges. I believe that a good teacher not only helps a student tackle specific, formulaic kinds of questions, but also imparts the skills necessary for adapting to the diverse intellectual challenges that life presents. My goal is always for my students to leave their sessions having learned something that will be useful for years to come, not just on the next test that they are preparing for. After all, education is a lifelong process!
Richard
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +70 Subjects
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 Spanish. At Harvard, I spent a year as a course assistant in the math department, helping to teach introductory undergraduate calculus. Currently, I volunteer with the Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC) as part of its Social Outreach Committee. This work involves teaching a weekly course called "Fundamentals of Leadership" to a class of middle school students. Overall, I have found my experiences tutoring math to be the most rewarding.
Kyle
Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am a current student at Yale University pursuing a degree in English. Since I was little, writing and storytelling has been one of my biggest passions. Though back then, I often told stories to my friends and family as though they were truth, once they helped me find the page I've had much, much more success. I have been tutoring kids since I was in high school, but I've also spent many hours working with kids on the baseball diamond as a coach, as well as as a camp counselor. My philosophy is that I know how hard and difficult (and sometimes annoying) high school English and History classes can be, and my goal is to try and bring a little fun back into the material while making sure we do what it takes to master your craft as a budding young writer, whether in a rhetorical analysis of Pride and Prejudice or in your CommonApp personal essay.
Finley
Calculus Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am a junior at Harvard University where I study History and Economics. I maintain a 3.9 GPA while playing on a varsity sports team. I understand the challenges that students today face because I too have experienced them. I have plenty of tips to help you stay organized and on top of your work. But most importantly I love to learn and to help others learn. I look forward to working and learning together.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Students typically struggle most with understanding the nuances of federalism, the separation of powers, and how policy actually gets made through Congress. The civil rights and civil liberties unit also trips up many students because it requires synthesizing multiple court cases and understanding how constitutional interpretation has evolved. Additionally, the policy-focused units on the economy, foreign policy, and social policy demand that students connect abstract political theory to real-world examples—something that takes targeted practice to master.
The key to strong FRQ performance is understanding the specific command words the College Board uses—explain, describe, compare, and analyze each require different approaches. Many students lose points by providing examples without connecting them back to the concept being tested. Tutors can help you develop a consistent structure for each FRQ type: identify the main concept, provide relevant examples (cases, policies, or data), and explicitly explain how your evidence supports your argument. Practice under timed conditions is essential—you have about 20 minutes per FRQ, so pacing and clarity matter as much as content knowledge.
You have roughly 72 seconds per multiple-choice question (55 questions in 80 minutes), but the reality is that some questions are much faster than others. Straightforward definition or process questions might take 30 seconds, while scenario-based questions testing your ability to apply concepts could take 2-3 minutes. The strategy is to move quickly through easier questions, flag the tougher conceptual ones, and come back to them if time allows. A tutor can help you identify which question types you tend to overthink and teach you to recognize when a question is testing recall versus application—that distinction alone can save you significant time.
Rather than memorizing case names and dates, focus on understanding the constitutional question at stake and how the Court's decision shaped policy or rights. For example, knowing that Marbury v. Madison established judicial review is less useful than understanding why that power matters for the separation of powers system. Create a framework for each case: the constitutional issue, the Court's ruling, and the real-world impact. Many students benefit from organizing cases by theme (federalism cases together, First Amendment cases together) so they can compare how the Court's reasoning evolved. This thematic approach also helps you answer synthesis questions that ask you to compare how different cases address similar constitutional questions.
Start by taking a full-length practice test under realistic conditions and analyzing your results by unit—not just your overall score. Look for patterns: Are you missing questions on a specific topic like Congress or the bureaucracy? Do you struggle more with scenario-based questions or definitional ones? Once you've identified weak areas, use targeted review rather than re-reading the textbook. A tutor can create mini-quizzes focused on your specific gaps, explain the concepts you're misunderstanding, and then have you practice similar questions until you're confident. This focused approach is far more efficient than generic test prep, especially in the final weeks before the exam.
Test anxiety in AP Government often stems from feeling unprepared for the breadth of content or uncertain about how to approach the FRQs. Building genuine confidence through repeated practice with real exam questions and timed conditions is the most effective antidote. Knowing your pacing strategy (how long you'll spend on each section, when you'll flag difficult questions) removes uncertainty on test day. A tutor can also help you develop a pre-exam routine and teach you to recognize when you're overthinking a question versus when you genuinely need to reconsider your answer. Finally, remember that the AP Government exam rewards clear reasoning and evidence more than perfect recall—if you can explain your thinking, you'll earn points even if you're not 100% certain.
Score gains depend on your starting point and how much time you invest. A student scoring in the 2-3 range (struggling with foundational concepts) might realistically improve 1-2 points with focused tutoring on core topics and test-taking strategies. A student already scoring 4s who wants to reach a 5 typically needs to master the most challenging synthesis questions and eliminate careless errors—this often requires fewer sessions but more intensive practice. The national average on the AP Government exam is around 2.9, so reaching a 4 (which colleges often accept for credit) is an achievable goal with consistent effort. Most meaningful improvement happens when students combine tutoring with their own practice between sessions.
An effective AP Government tutor should understand not just the content but the exam itself—how the College Board phrases questions, what each FRQ prompt is really asking, and which topics appear most frequently. They should be able to explain abstract concepts like federalism or checks and balances clearly and connect them to real examples students recognize. Look for someone who emphasizes active practice (working through actual AP questions) rather than passive review, and who can diagnose why you're missing questions—is it a content gap, a misunderstanding of the question format, or a pacing issue? Finally, they should help you build a personalized study plan based on your strengths and weaknesses, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
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