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I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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
Erika
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...
Harvard University
Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
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
9+ years
Sami
I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer.
Duke University
Bachelor of Science (Economics and Computer Science)
Yale School of Management
Current Undergrad Student, Business Administration and Management
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Sharon
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classro...
Columbia University in the City of New York
Master of Science, Journalism
University of Chicago
Bachelor in Arts
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Annie
I am currently a second year medical student. I was a Physiological Sciences major at UCLA (class of 2015), and pursued research during my gap year between undergrad and medical school.
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelors, Physiological Sciences
Drexel University College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, MD
Certified Tutor
Tony
I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, Engl...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Top 20 Technology and Coding Subjects
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Matthew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects
I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer in NYC and tackle even the most hard-science of problems with a top-down, big-picture, holistic approach. If you have a propensity to look at problems in a cross- or inter-disciplinary manner (or want to learn how to do so), I'm the tutor for you!
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
Tiffany
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects
I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.
MaryAnn
Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects
I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to the nonprofit sector. Hobbies: reading, cooking, writing, books, music, art, travel
Samuel
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!
Quinn
Calculus Tutor • +17 Subjects
I am willing to address any issue with an open mind and I try to develop strategies that play to a student's strengths. I would like to think I am very approachable and personable, and I have had very positive experiences with many students in the past using this philosophy. Outside of academics, I love playing basketball and watching sports, as well as chilling with friends, listening to music, and keeping up with politics and current affairs.
Zachary
Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies to excel in both general academics and standardized tests.
Pinelopi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)
Earnest
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Samantha
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects
I'm a first-year medical student and recent graduate from Duke University, where I studied Global Health Determinants, Behaviors, and Interventions. From running a piano program at a nonprofit children's theatre to private tutoring in math, science, and standardized test prep, I enjoy helping my students become confident and self-sufficient learners! Hobbies: photography, travel, reading, music, writing, running, art, books, traveling
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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