Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, when my son got a 3 in the AP Gov't exam after getting high A grades in the class, the following year we hired tutors from Princeton Review.

We used their "guarantee" 5 on a couple of subjects and then the lower cost "homework help" for others

https://www.princetonreview.com/product-search/ap?tut=1#s=&e=&td=&page=1&len=15&dow=127&m=3&pg=29&pt=524962&r=100&t=AP&v=list&z=&poc=

If you speak to Chibi Davis in person he is extremely helpful in terms of finding the right match for your kid(s).

This is why kids are struggling in college. Kids need to develop resilience, learn to study, and succeed. Not everything needs a tutor with money back guarantee.

He just started college (top 10) and he is not struggling and he is not using tutors. He needed to be taught how to study for the AP exam, something his teachers who were giving him A grades, completely failed to do.

No wonder tutors are cleaning up with US education in the drain.

My DC's AP world history teacher enforces weekly exam of multiple units, which is extremely helpful in preparing the kids. My DC's AP Spanish teacher however is taking a long-term leave right now and the sub is just covering daily stuff without any organized tests/exams. I'm worrying more. I'm going to let them try a mock tests during the holiday break and see if a tutor is needed.

I found that especially with AP US Gov in 9th, the teacher was very good about making sure my son was ready for the exam because it was his first AP. I too was worried about how he would study for a comprehensive exam since MCPS doesn't do midterms or finals, and the writing instruction overall is hit or miss, but the class prep was enough and he got a 5. I think it's a good intro AP in terms of seeing the writing requirements and test taking skills needed for AP.

No tutor needed for DS. Classroom teachers have been very skilled at prepping students as long as students do what is asked of them. All 5s so far without any extra prep but with diligent and consistent effort in class.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, when my son got a 3 in the AP Gov't exam after getting high A grades in the class, the following year we hired tutors from Princeton Review.

We used their "guarantee" 5 on a couple of subjects and then the lower cost "homework help" for others

https://www.princetonreview.com/product-search/ap?tut=1#s=&e=&td=&page=1&len=15&dow=127&m=3&pg=29&pt=524962&r=100&t=AP&v=list&z=&poc=

If you speak to Chibi Davis in person he is extremely helpful in terms of finding the right match for your kid(s).

This is why kids are struggling in college. Kids need to develop resilience, learn to study, and succeed. Not everything needs a tutor with money back guarantee.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you for the responses. I haven't seen any evidence of test prep (yes, I know it's only the first quarter).

One kid tends to rush through exams and the other gets anxious so I'm hoping that by undersanding what the test format is like and getting in some practice, they'll be more prepared for the exam and can overcome their respective challenges.

You should not try to intervene yet. The kids are undoubtedly writing FRQs already. But, I am a long time AP teacher and do not do much with that until December or so. The first couple of months are laying the groundwork for the subject matter, teaching kids how to discern what is important, basic writing, such as thesis statements, how to understand the exam prompts, etc.

Thank you, this is helpful context.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you for the responses. I haven't seen any evidence of test prep (yes, I know it's only the first quarter).

One kid tends to rush through exams and the other gets anxious so I'm hoping that by undersanding what the test format is like and getting in some practice, they'll be more prepared for the exam and can overcome their respective challenges.

You can get the review books. There are two publishers of these - Barrons and Princeton Review. If you get both then you have something like 20 practice tests to work through.

This - just get the books and do the practice tests, no tutor needed

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you for the responses. I haven't seen any evidence of test prep (yes, I know it's only the first quarter).

One kid tends to rush through exams and the other gets anxious so I'm hoping that by undersanding what the test format is like and getting in some practice, they'll be more prepared for the exam and can overcome their respective challenges.

You should not try to intervene yet. The kids are undoubtedly writing FRQs already. But, I am a long time AP teacher and do not do much with that until December or so. The first couple of months are laying the groundwork for the subject matter, teaching kids how to discern what is important, basic writing, such as thesis statements, how to understand the exam prompts, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

My kids are in AP Gov this year (9th graders). They are doing well in the class and seem to have a grasp on the content, but I wonder if they’ll be ready for the actual exam. Do any of you have experience with hiring a tutor just for test prep? Would you recommend having the tutoring start now, in the new year, or closer to the exam? Ideally, whatever they learn from the tutor can be applied to future AP exams. thanks!

The APUSH writing tutor (a MCPS teacher) was a waste of time. I ended up teaching DD myself. I’m a former APUSH teacher. I didn’t want power struggles, but the teacher seldom had them write and the APUSH tutor didn’t provide comments when she had DD write.

well, jeez, if I was a former APUSH from MCPS I too, might find a private tutor for APUSH superfluous...

Anonymous wrote:OP here - Thank you for the responses. I haven't seen any evidence of test prep (yes, I know it's only the first quarter).

One kid tends to rush through exams and the other gets anxious so I'm hoping that by undersanding what the test format is like and getting in some practice, they'll be more prepared for the exam and can overcome their respective challenges.

You can get the review books. There are two publishers of these - Barrons and Princeton Review. If you get both then you have something like 20 practice tests to work through.

OP here - Thank you for the responses. I haven't seen any evidence of test prep (yes, I know it's only the first quarter).

One kid tends to rush through exams and the other gets anxious so I'm hoping that by undersanding what the test format is like and getting in some practice, they'll be more prepared for the exam and can overcome their respective challenges.

Yes, when my son got a 3 in the AP Gov't exam after getting high A grades in the class, the following year we hired tutors from Princeton Review.

We used their "guarantee" 5 on a couple of subjects and then the lower cost "homework help" for others

https://www.princetonreview.com/product-search/ap?tut=1#s=&e=&td=&page=1&len=15&dow=127&m=3&pg=29&pt=524962&r=100&t=AP&v=list&z=&poc=

If you speak to Chibi Davis in person he is extremely helpful in terms of finding the right match for your kid(s).

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

My kids are in AP Gov this year (9th graders). They are doing well in the class and seem to have a grasp on the content, but I wonder if they’ll be ready for the actual exam. Do any of you have experience with hiring a tutor just for test prep? Would you recommend having the tutoring start now, in the new year, or closer to the exam? Ideally, whatever they learn from the tutor can be applied to future AP exams. thanks!

The APUSH writing tutor (a MCPS teacher) was a waste of time. I ended up teaching DD myself. I’m a former APUSH teacher. I didn’t want power struggles, but the teacher seldom had them write and the APUSH tutor didn’t provide comments when she had DD write.

What makes you worry they won't be ready? Most teachers in schools where AP Government is a 9th grade course are spending significant time on study skills, notetaking skills, etc.

Hi,

My kids are in AP Gov this year (9th graders). They are doing well in the class and seem to have a grasp on the content, but I wonder if they’ll be ready for the actual exam. Do any of you have experience with hiring a tutor just for test prep? Would you recommend having the tutoring start now, in the new year, or closer to the exam? Ideally, whatever they learn from the tutor can be applied to future AP exams. thanks!