Getting started is simple: you'll connect with Varsity Tutors, describe your student's specific challenges (whether it's kinematics, energy conservation, or circuit analysis), and get matched with a tutor who specializes in AP Physics. Your first session is a great opportunity to assess your student's current level, identify gaps, and create a personalized study plan tailored to their learning style and goals.

Many students struggle with the transition from algebra-based to calculus-based thinking, especially when applying physics concepts to multi-step problems. Common pain points include understanding vector components, connecting abstract concepts like energy and momentum to real-world scenarios, and managing the pace of the curriculum. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps students build conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing formulas.

Starting tutoring early in the school year—ideally in the fall—gives students time to build a strong foundation in each unit before tackling practice exams. Most students benefit from consistent weekly sessions throughout the year, with increased frequency (2-3 times per week) in the 6-8 weeks before the May exam. This paced approach allows time for deep learning, practice testing, and targeted review of weak areas.

Practice tests are essential for identifying knowledge gaps, building familiarity with the exam format, and developing time-management skills. The AP Physics 1 exam includes multiple-choice and free-response sections, each requiring different strategies. A tutor can help your student take timed practice tests, review mistakes to understand conceptual errors (not just careless mistakes), and refine problem-solving approaches for each question type.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about problem-solving strategies. Personalized tutoring builds confidence through repeated practice with increasingly difficult problems, teaching students to break complex questions into manageable steps, and developing a growth mindset around challenging concepts. When students understand the material deeply and have practiced extensively, anxiety naturally decreases on exam day.

Look for tutors with strong physics backgrounds—ideally with a degree in physics, engineering, or a related field, and proven experience teaching AP Physics specifically. They should understand both the content deeply and the AP exam format, be able to explain complex concepts clearly, and adapt their teaching to your student's learning style. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who meet these standards and have a track record of helping students succeed.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools offers AP courses across its 123 schools, and many have peer tutoring, after-school study groups, and teacher office hours. However, personalized 1-on-1 tutoring provides targeted support that classroom instruction alone can't always deliver, especially given the average 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. A private tutor can focus entirely on your student's unique challenges and pace, complementing the classroom experience perfectly.