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Certified Tutor
10+ years
I am also passionate about tutoring Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. My teaching style is not set in stone; I understand that everyone learns differently and will try to find a learning method that will suit the student. Next year, I will begin my pursuit of a PhD in Biological Enginee...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Benjamin
I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in midd...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rahul
I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences tutoring thermodynamics (my personal favorite), chemistry, and math. I have a...
Cornell University
B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Andrea
I am also adept in tutoring english grammar, language, and literature. There are few things I enjoy more than a true challenge, whether it be physical or mental. I aspire to be a great inventor and hope that my ideas and creations may simplify life as we know it and bring health, comfort, and joy to...
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Justin
I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics
University of Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

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
10+ years
Aaron
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Florence
I am a rising senior at Duke University. I major in Computer Science and am also getting a minor in Physics. I have had experience tutoring/teaching as a teaching assistant for three classes: Intro to Databases, Electricity and Magnetism (for engineers), and Computer Network Architecture. I have had...
Duke University
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Top 20 Science Subjects
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Jonathan
AP Statistics Tutor • +23 Subjects
I am eager to help students wrestle with and master concepts in their math and physics classes. I have extensive experience tutoring students in both math and physics at the high school and college level in one on one and larger group settings. During my PhD I was awarded a teaching fellowship which allowed me to continue teaching while I continued to perform research and carry out my dissertation work.
Kevin
AP Statistics Tutor • +59 Subjects
I am interested in working for Varsity Tutors because I enjoy helping others learn new concepts and progress in whatever they are struggling with. I have significant experience tutoring with a variety of age levels and would be delighted to have an opportunity to work with students through this opportunity.
Daria
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +31 Subjects
I am a current undergraduate student at Cornell University studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. I have a strong science and math background having taken many courses in Physics, Computer Programming, and various mathematics subjects ranging from Geometry, to Multivariable Calculus, to Differential Equations. I am also very passionate about English, Literature, Russian Studies, Spanish Language, and History. I believe that the key to success is having a well rounded education, so when I am not programming microcontrollers, one can either find me watching Russian news channels to polish up my vocabulary, reading textbooks on the history of the Middle East, or simply immersing myself in a Jane Austen novel. In my free time I also enjoy training for CrossFit, playing the viola, and traveling. Hobbies: books, traveling, music, art, travel, reading, writing
Timothy
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects
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 throughout high school.
Aimee
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects
I am a current (though almost graduated) student in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. I absolutely love teaching and tutoring, and I have 3 years experience tutoring and just over a year's experience in being a teacher's assistant. I am passionate about math and science, and I love helping people understand new material. Learning is something I have always loved, and I want to share that passion with others.
Dennis
AP Statistics Tutor • +50 Subjects
I'm Dennis. I study physics, math, and computer science. I have done research about cosmic ray acceleration at supernova shock fronts in the Princeton University Department of Astrophysics, simulating how the turbulent plasmas push protons and ions. I have also worked at the Norfolk State University Department of Engineering, designing, simulating, optimizing, and building light filters for wavelength-division optical-electronic multiplexers. Another field I study is the mathematics of quasicrystals and aperiodic tilings, such as the Penrose tiling of rhombuses.
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.
Daniel
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +21 Subjects
I am an Undergraduate Student at Vanderbilt University. With years of tutoring experience and a solid academic foundation, I am fully equipped to teach in various subjects at many different levels.
Bettina
Calculus Tutor • +23 Subjects
I am a mechanical engineering student who is passionate about the propensity for engineering and technology to impact society for the better. I love learning new things and teaching others! Hobbies: books, traveling, music, singing, art, travel, movies, reading, writing
Derek
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +33 Subjects
I am currently a Harvard student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Applied Mathematics. I graduated Class Valedictorian in high school and was named National Merit Finalist. I took 16 AP classes in high school, including AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Physics C : Mechanics and AP Physics 1, with a score of 5 in all of the tests. I scored a 1570/1600 in my SAT and 800 in the SAT Math Level 2 Subject Test and 790 in the SAT Physics Subject Test.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring. Students who begin tutoring early in the AP course year typically improve by 1-2 score points (on the 1-5 scale), while those focusing on specific weak areas in the final weeks often see quick jumps in confidence and accuracy on those topics.
The key is identifying exactly where you're losing points—whether that's conceptual understanding, problem-solving speed, or test-taking strategy—and addressing those gaps systematically. Tutors can help you focus your study time where it matters most.
AP Physics students typically struggle with three main areas: translating word problems into physics concepts and equations, managing time during the multiple-choice section (especially on longer, complex problems), and maintaining conceptual understanding while juggling multiple units and formulas.
Many students also underestimate the free-response section, which requires showing reasoning alongside calculations. A skilled tutor can help you develop strategies for each challenge—like breaking down word problems systematically, practicing timed sections to build speed and accuracy, and learning how to communicate your physics reasoning clearly.
Starting tutoring early in the school year (September-November) gives you the most time to build foundational understanding and work through challenging units at a comfortable pace. However, tutoring at any point helps—students who start in January or February can focus on the units giving them the most trouble, while those beginning in March or April can zero in on test-taking strategy and practice exams.
Even a few weeks of targeted tutoring before the exam can boost your confidence and help you avoid common timing mistakes. The best time to start is whenever you notice yourself confused about a topic or struggling to apply concepts to new problems.
Practice tests are essential—they're your best tool for identifying weak areas, getting comfortable with the exam format, and building stamina for the full 3-hour test. You should take full-length, timed practice tests every 2-3 weeks starting in January, then increase to weekly in April and May.
The real value comes after you finish: analyze which questions you got wrong and why. Was it a conceptual gap, a careless mistake, a pacing issue, or unfamiliar problem format? Tutors excel at spotting patterns in your mistakes and showing you targeted strategies to fix them, so you're not just retaking tests but actually improving your underlying skills.
AP Physics requires both, but the exam emphasizes conceptual understanding. Many free-response questions ask you to explain your reasoning, defend a conclusion, or predict what happens when conditions change—not just solve an equation. Even in multiple-choice, questions often test whether you understand why something happens, not just how to calculate it.
The best tutors help you build intuition about how physics works before diving into heavy math. Once you understand the concepts deeply, calculations become straightforward applications rather than mysterious procedures. This approach also makes test day less stressful because you're solving problems from understanding, not just pattern-matching formulas.
Students most often struggle with energy and work concepts (interpreting work-energy relationships and power), rotational motion (torque, angular momentum, and their applications), and oscillations (simple harmonic motion requires thinking differently than linear motion). Thermodynamics and waves also trip up many students because they require different mental models than mechanics.
The good news is that recognizing these challenge areas helps you allocate study time strategically. A tutor familiar with AP Physics can give you targeted strategies and analogies for these topics so you build confidence before test day.
The AP Physics 1 and 2 exams each have two sections: 50 multiple-choice questions (45 minutes) and five free-response questions (1 hour 15 minutes). The multiple-choice section tests breadth and problem-solving speed, while free-response questions go deeper and ask you to justify your reasoning.
This format means your tutoring strategy should include both timed practice with single concepts and longer problem sets that let you think more deeply. You'll also want to practice writing clear explanations alongside calculations for free-response work, since partial credit is possible when your reasoning is solid even if your final answer isn't.
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