AP exam prep: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What ap exam prep is

AP exam prep reviews course content, practices multiple choice and free response questions, and teaches pacing for a given advanced course exam. Students and parents book it in the spring before the exam, when a practice test shows gaps, or when the free response questions are the part that feels unfamiliar.

Signs you need it

  • The student knows the course content but runs out of time on the multiple choice section
  • Free response answers are short or miss the parts of the question the grader will look for
  • Practice test scores are much lower than the classroom grades
  • The student has an exam date coming up and no plan for the weeks before it
  • The student is taking more than one AP course and needs a plan for each exam

What the pro does

  • Runs a practice multiple choice and free response section and reviews the results with the student
  • Reviews the course units that the exam covers most, with the student's weakest topics first
  • Teaches how to answer each free response question type, with a checklist of what the grader looks for
  • Works on pacing, including how many minutes to spend on each question and when to move on
  • Reviews each practice test with the student and sets the next focus for the next session

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of each session and how many sessions are in a series
  • The course and subject, since each AP exam has its own format
  • Whether sessions are in person or online
  • Private tutoring versus a small group review
  • How many units the student still needs to review before the exam
  • Whether practice exams and scored free response reviews are included

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and the start date
  • Whether practice exams and scored free response reviews are included
  • Whether sessions are in person or online, and what materials are used
  • Cancellation and make-up policy
  • Whether the tutor will share progress with the parent and the student's teacher

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which AP course and exam format are you prepared to teach?
  • How do you teach free response questions, and what does the grader look for?
  • How many full practice exams will we complete before the test date?
  • Will you use the course's materials and the teacher's review guide?
  • How do you handle pacing on the multiple choice section?
  • Have you passed a background check, if the student is a minor?
  • What should the student be able to do on the exam after the first month?

Red flags

  • Promises a specific score or a specific college credit
  • Uses unofficial practice questions and claims they are the real exam
  • Writes the free response answers for the student
  • Pushes a long package of sessions before a practice exam

What you can do yourself

A student can take a full practice exam under timed conditions, grade their own free response answers against the official scoring guide, and review each unit at a steady pace. Use the exam maker's official practice materials, which are often free. Hire a tutor when the free response scoring is the weak point, when one unit is far behind, or when the student needs help with pacing on exam day.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to tutor for an advanced course exam privately. Ask whether the tutor has teaching experience or a degree in the subject, and check with your state or local licensing agency or your school only if the program has its own rules for test prep services.

AP exam prep questions

Do I need a tutor if my child is already taking the course?

Many students do well with class and self-study. A tutor helps most when practice exams show gaps, when free response scoring is the problem, or when the student needs a plan for the weeks before the test.

Can my child get college credit from the exam?

Many colleges give credit or placement for a qualifying score on an AP exam, but the rules differ by college. Check each college's AP policy before the exam, and do not assume a tutor can promise credit.

Does my child need a background check for a tutor?

Many parents and programs ask for one when the tutor works with a minor. Ask for proof of a background check before the first session, and ask about the rules for pickup and supervision.

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