Score improvement depends on your starting point and how actively you engage with practice. Many students see meaningful gains—often 2-4 points on the 1-5 scale—by focusing on their weakest areas, whether that's analyzing rhetorical devices, managing essay timing, or strengthening argument development. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify exactly where you're losing points and builds targeted strategies for the specific question formats you find challenging.

The three most common struggles are: (1) managing time across all three sections, especially the timed essays; (2) moving beyond surface-level analysis to identify sophisticated rhetorical strategies and their effects; and (3) developing arguments that go deeper than restating the prompt. Many students also underestimate the reading comprehension section, which requires careful attention to tone, audience, and purpose. Targeted practice with feedback addresses each of these specific pain points.

The key is developing a reliable process: spend 2-3 minutes planning your essay structure and identifying your strongest evidence before writing, then allocate roughly 40 minutes to drafting and revising. For the rhetorical analysis essay, focus on analyzing how specific techniques create effects rather than just naming devices. For the argumentative essay, build a clear thesis early and support it with concrete examples. Practice under timed conditions repeatedly so the process becomes automatic and reduces test anxiety.

Practice tests are essential—they're your best tool for identifying weak areas, building stamina for the 2-hour 15-minute exam, and getting comfortable with the exact question formats you'll face. Taking full practice tests under timed conditions reveals whether you struggle more with reading comprehension, rhetorical analysis, or argumentative writing. Review your results carefully to spot patterns, then use targeted practice on those specific skills. Most students benefit from completing 4-6 full practice exams over their prep period.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven success teaching AP Language and Composition. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their experience with the specific sections you find most challenging—whether that's reading comprehension, rhetorical analysis, or essay writing under pressure. Your tutor will personalize instruction based on your practice test results and help you build confidence in the areas where you need it most.

Your first session focuses on understanding your current strengths and challenges. Your tutor will likely review your recent practice test scores, discuss which sections feel most difficult, and ask about your goals for the exam. This diagnostic conversation helps your tutor create a personalized plan targeting your specific needs—whether that's strengthening rhetorical analysis skills, improving essay pacing, or building confidence in the multiple-choice section. You'll leave with a clear roadmap for the weeks ahead.

Ideally, start tutoring 8-12 weeks before the exam if you're aiming for significant improvement, though even 4-6 weeks of focused work can help if you're already familiar with the material. If you're starting later in the year, prioritize taking full practice tests immediately to identify your biggest gaps, then concentrate on those areas. The earlier you start, the more time you have to practice strategies repeatedly until they become automatic under pressure.