Award-Winning 8th Grade AP Computer Science
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Award-Winning 8th Grade AP Computer Science Tutors

Certified Tutor
Rasa
I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Educational Studies and a minor in Political Science. I had two years of teaching experience with Breakthrough Collaborative as well as relevant undergraduate coursework to supplement my tutor...
Washington University in St Louis
Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology, Educational Studies

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Hervé
I enjoy meeting new people and enjoy what they have to say, i have always loved math and sciences; I know!! I am a nerd but people says i don't look like one. I enjoy video games, sports (I play soccer three time a week) good food and social hours.
Northern Illinois University
Bachelors, Electrical and computer engineering

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Michelle
Academic instruction is authentic, discussion-oriented, and interdisciplinary in order to create a holistic understanding, critical questioning, and evaluation for a person to grow cognitively and spiritually, promoting the betterment of a multicultural, ever-changing world.
Appalachian State University
Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bachelor in Arts, Social Studies Teacher Education

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Carson
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma this August with a degree in Philosophy. I also have minors in Classics and English Literature, which is my favorite subject and pastime. My training in Philosophy has taught me to identify and explain central concepts of a written work, and this training ...
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy

Certified Tutor
Arjun
I received a BA in Philosophy from Boston University and a JD from Columbia Law School. After my sophomore year at College I taught a history class in India. While studying for the LSAT I gave my friends informal tutoring sessions. I have tutored all multiple choice sections of the LSAT formally sin...
Boston University
Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Columbia Law School
Juris Doctor, Law

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Titus
Howdy, my name is Titus Klutz. I am a Sr. In Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. I absolutely love physics and math and like watching how it is applied in the world around us. My desire is to show students how beautiful these subjects are. Achieving the moment in learning where the topic...
Texas A & M University-College Station
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Yucheng
Hello! My name is Yucheng and I am a student at the University of Texas. I tutor multiple subjects from middle to high school level math. I have tutored algebra, algebra 2, pre calculus and ACT prep. I look forward to helping you!
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Elizabeth Ann
I am a graduate of both Western Governor's University and Liberty University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Studies and English Language, and My Master's Degree in Rhetoric and Composition. I have been an educator for the past 28 years. I am most passio...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Rae
I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in December with a degree in international business management and legal studies. I currently work in Corporate Strategy. I have worked with numerous students throughout my 5+ years of tutoring, each with unique learning st...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Economics, International Business

Certified Tutor
7+ years
Charles
I am thrilled to bring my successful experience as an educator, vast subject knowledge and passion for teaching to Varsity Tutors. I possess a Master's Degree in Education from Hofstra University as well as an Advanced Certification in School Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook. In addition my professi...
Hofstra University
Masters, Education
SUNY College at Brockport
Bachelors, History
Top 20 Technology and Coding Subjects
Meet Our Expert Tutors
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Dilruba
10th Grade Math Tutor • +45 Subjects
I can help you better understand basics concepts of mathematics and show you how they can be applied in everyday life through realistic illustrative examples. I am currently teaching at two different Universities as an Adjunct in their Mathematics and Engineering Departments, so I can offer different perspectives and a great variety of solution techniques to any kind of math problem.
Abhiruchi
ACCUPLACER Arithmetic Tutor • +46 Subjects
I am a Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate from Campbell University, NC and have over 10 years of experience in tutoring Mathematics to middle school, high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
John
Algebra Tutor • +6 Subjects
I received my degree in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University at IUPUI in Indianapolis. I have worked countless hours with classmates and friends tutoring them to prepare for exams and class projects. I currently tutor pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. I love tutoring Trigonometry best because trig comes up countless times in engineering and it is now somewhat dear to my heart; however, Algebra is just as important since it is the building block towards something greater. My tutoring philosophy is that learning should be fun. The more you know, the stronger you are as a person. Learning shouldn't be a tedious exercise but an empowering tool. When I tutor, I attempt to inspire, to show the big picture and why this stuff matters by using real world examples that students can relate to. Education aside, I'm sure we have a lot in common. I'm a pretty normal guy who enjoys his down time. I like sci-fi movies and books, video games, biking, and hanging out with my friends. I think school and academics are very important; however, having fun and knowing who you are are just as crucial.
Emma
ACT Math Tutor • +20 Subjects
Hello! My name is Emma and I'm 23 years old. My tutoring experience began in high school when I tutored elementary, middle, and high school-aged students in math, Spanish, and language arts. In math specifically, I've tutored students in pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, and have experience working with students who have fear and/or low self-confidence in math. During college, in addition to completing a math minor, I tutored undergraduate and graduate students in statistics. I've also worked as a college instructor, and am familiar with learning processes. If needed, I can provide a reference from a family I've helped to tutor.Outside of my tutoring experience, I have a goal to run a 5K in every state in the U.S. with my mom! We have checked off 27 states so far! I also enjoy knitting, cooking, and reading!I'd love to be considered to tutor for you! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about me or my experience!
Meghana
Abstract Algebra Tutor • +47 Subjects
Howdy! My name is Meghana, and I am a BS/MD program student and President's Endowed Scholar at Texas A&M University studying neuroscience/biology and English. I enjoy helping my students with the SAT and ACT, English grammar, literature, writing, and AP subjects, especially in the sciences. Please feel free to message me for more info or to schedule a session. Thank you!
Taneka
IB Biology Tutor • +4 Subjects
My students would probably describe me as scientifically sound, passionate, energetic, creative, strict and diplomatic. I hold all of my students accountable and expect them to leave my classes understanding their material down to a Cellular and Molecular level.My background is Science, Research, Education and Fashion Design. I graduated with a B.S. (2003) and M.S. (2007) in Molecular, Cellular and Microbial Biology. I completed my thesis in an Immunology lab that focused on the introduction of immunological cells, such as T-Cells, Dendritic Cells and Macrophages. I analyzed my results through many arrays of mRNA and Protein analysis; such as Real-Time PcR, Western Blots, Immunohistochemistry, and FACs Analysis. I then pursued a Ph.D at Northwestern University in 2006. During this time, I published the results of my Prostate Cancer research surrounding Developmental Biology at the Robert H. Lurie Research Center of Children's Memorial Hospital. After leaving the Ph.D. Program, I began teaching Biology courses at C.S.U. This led me back to school to complete a M.A.T. and Secondary Teaching Certificate at National-Louis University. I then taught for Chicago Public Schools from Middle School to Senior Level, alongside of teaching Biology courses for City Colleges of Chicago. After the major turn-around that occurred for CPS in 2013, I decided to expand upon my Fashion Engineering skills and enroll in a Fashion Design Program. I recently completed my B.F.A. in Fashion Design this past March (2016). Fashion Design has led me into designing, drafting and sewing my own collections; along with working for a modern-day, British, shirt-making company focusing on Visuals, Operations and Sales."The unseen threads that link us together sustain our existence, explain our connections, and define our destiny." ~T.s. Douglas, 2016
Ahmani
Algebra Tutor • +3 Subjects
I am a junior at the University of North Florida. I am a double major, my first major being Math Education with a concentration in grades 6-12 and my second major being Mathematics.Math has always been my strong suit and I have always loved helping people with their math. However, being a math teacher was not my first career choice. Before college, I thought of being an OBGYN, right before I went to college, I changed my mind to be an Athletic Trainer.I finally decided to change my major to Math Education after helping 3 friends pass their college math classes. And after my first official tutoring gig, I decided to add the second major, Mathematics, so that I can get a deeper concept of math.Currently, I work at Panera Bread and also the UNF Preschool. Although I will keep both jobs, I want to tutor to really get that experience of helping different students with their math, as each student is different and may need different teaching styles.
Merilin
Algebra Tutor • +10 Subjects
Hi! My name is Merilin, I am a super friendly, fun, and energetic tutor that looks forward to making learning fun!
Rosalind
Elementary School English Tutor • +9 Subjects
I am a graduate of NOVA Southeastern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood and a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education. I have been teaching for 30 years and consider that a joy. I am always excited about the opportunity to apply my skill and experience with my students. I have a passion about teaching and helping students to see their growth and their desire for learning. As an enthusiastic teacher, I'm dedicated to enabling young minds to grow and achieve.
Feroz
Algebra Tutor • +30 Subjects
I am a medical student who took time off between my 3rd and 4th year to conduct orthopedic research at NYU medical center. I love the medical field and would like to pursue a career in orthopedics. The aspect of medicine that I hold most dearly is always having interaction and hopefully having a change to leave a positive impression. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their story. If there is anything I can do to help them on their journey, it would be my pleasure. I grew up outside of Chicago, have travelled around the world, and snowboard as much as I can every winter. I've always been interested in medicine and that goal has always driven me to try my hardest and be all that I can be, not only in school, but in every aspect of life. That's my story, but I want to hear yours. Let me help you reach your goals.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
8th graders often find object-oriented programming concepts challenging, particularly understanding classes, objects, and inheritance. Many students also struggle with algorithmic thinking—translating real-world problems into code logic—and debugging complex code when multiple methods interact. Array manipulation and 2D arrays trip up students who haven't built strong foundational programming habits, and the transition from visual block-based coding (like Scratch) to text-based Java can feel overwhelming. A tutor can break these concepts into digestible pieces and provide targeted practice on the specific areas where a student gets stuck.
Block-based coding like Scratch provides valuable logic foundations, but AP Computer Science requires proficiency in Java syntax and text-based programming. If your student has solid logical thinking skills, they can transition successfully with focused tutoring on Java fundamentals—variables, data types, control structures, and method creation. However, students jumping directly from blocks to AP-level Java often need extra support in the first few weeks to build syntax confidence and understand how Java's structure differs from visual programming. A tutor experienced with this transition can accelerate the learning curve significantly.
The free-response section requires students to write complete Java methods and classes from scratch—not just understand code. 8th graders should practice writing code without an IDE (integrated development environment) to build muscle memory for syntax and structure. Tutoring should focus on understanding what each question is asking, planning the solution before coding, and writing clean, efficient code that handles edge cases. Timed practice on actual AP free-response questions helps students develop pacing strategies, since they typically have 1.5 hours to complete four questions. Regular feedback on code structure and logic is essential for improvement.
The multiple-choice section tests both code reading and logical reasoning. Students should practice tracing through code line-by-line to predict output, which is a skill that improves with repetition. Many 8th graders rush through questions and miss subtle details like off-by-one errors in loops or incorrect method calls. Effective strategies include eliminating obviously wrong answers, checking boundary conditions, and being cautious with questions involving nested loops or complex conditionals. Tutoring should include timed practice tests to build familiarity with question formats and help students identify their personal weak spots—whether that's ArrayList operations, inheritance, or recursion.
Debugging is a critical skill for AP Computer Science success, but many 8th graders approach it randomly rather than systematically. A tutor can teach structured debugging techniques: reading error messages carefully, using print statements to track variable values, understanding stack traces, and isolating the problem before attempting fixes. Students benefit from analyzing broken code snippets and learning to recognize common mistakes like off-by-one errors, null pointer exceptions, and logic errors in conditionals. Regular practice debugging intentionally flawed code builds confidence and reduces frustration when students encounter bugs in their own work.
For 8th graders with some programming background, mastering core AP concepts typically takes 4-6 months of consistent study and practice. Students new to programming may need 6-9 months to build foundational skills before tackling advanced topics like recursion and inheritance. The timeline depends heavily on prior experience, study frequency, and how quickly a student grasps object-oriented thinking. Tutoring accelerates progress by providing targeted instruction on difficult concepts and preventing students from developing bad coding habits early on. Most students benefit from weekly sessions combined with independent practice between tutoring appointments.
An effective AP Computer Science tutor should have strong Java proficiency and experience with the AP Computer Science curriculum specifically—not just general programming knowledge. They should understand common misconceptions 8th graders have about object-oriented programming and be able to explain abstract concepts clearly. Experience with AP exam formats, free-response scoring rubrics, and the College Board's expectations is crucial. The best tutors can diagnose where a student's logic breaks down versus where they're struggling with syntax, and they adapt their teaching style to match each student's learning pace. Look for tutors who have taught or tutored multiple students through AP Computer Science successfully.
Students should work through official College Board AP Computer Science practice materials and released exam questions, which provide authentic examples of what they'll encounter on test day. Online coding platforms like CodeHS and LeetCode offer interactive practice with immediate feedback. Regular timed practice tests (full or sectional) help students build stamina and identify pacing issues. A tutor can recommend which resources match a student's current level and help them use practice strategically—focusing on weak areas rather than just grinding through problems. Consistent practice between tutoring sessions, even 30 minutes daily, compounds skill development significantly.
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