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Certified Tutor
2+ years
Hey! My name is Orne Akter and I am an undergraduate student at Harvard College under the majors of Neuroscience and Psychology! After 3 years of teaching Geometry and Algebra at my high school, I have picked up a passion for teaching students like myself! I can teach math (geometry, Algebra I/II, S...
Harvard University
BS

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Theodore
I am a Master of Divinity student at Princeton Theological Seminary. I graduated Harvard College in 2016 and was a peer tutor at Harvard. Before Divinity School, I taught high school and middle school debate and was an SAT/ACT tutor in Birmingham, Alabama. I then taught middle school debate at Succe...
Harvard University
MD

Certified Tutor
2+ years
The AP US History exam rewards students who can do more than recall events — they need to construct document-based arguments and connect themes like sectionalism, industrialization, and civil rights across time periods. Linford's graduate training at Northwestern and Yale sharpened exactly this kind...
Yale University
MDV
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
MDV

Certified Tutor
2+ years
AP U.S. History rewards students who can do more than recall dates — the DBQ and LEQ demand a real argument supported by specific historical evidence and contextualization. Brooke scored well enough on the SAT U.S. History Subject Test to tutor it confidently, and her Government studies at Harvard k...
Harvard University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I am a retired teacher who tutors and writes and who has had decades of success motivating and preparing people for a range of tests and tasks. I also walk/jog 50-plus miles a week, do yoga, and exercise my critical thinking skills regularly. My students since 1979 have ranged from middle school ur...
Yale University
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
William
I have a lot of teaching experience in both high-school and college settings, in the United States and abroad. I cover subjects ranging from ESOL, German, literature, and essay writing to most of the humanities topics that arise in AP and IB courses.
Yale University
PhD
Georgetown University
PhD

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Arshi
Biomedical sciences at Texas A&M means Arshi spends her days building evidence-based arguments from data — a habit that transfers directly to APUSH's document-based questions, where pulling a defensible claim out of seven unfamiliar sources is the whole game. Her five years of tutoring across math, ...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Nathan
Marhaba! I am a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. I obtained an AM in Islamic Studies from the JIMES program at WashU in the spring of 2025 and I am looking forward to assisting aspiring students and professionals with essay guidance, World History, and US History. I began my e...
Siena College
Bachelor
Siena College
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Ben
I have an undergraduate degree from Brown University where I double majored in International Relations and History of Art and Architecture. I also have a certification in teaching English as a foreign language. My favorite subjects to tutor are Russian, Japanese, and English, but I also am available...
Brown University
CTF

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I am a graduate of The University of Colorado, Boulder and Harvard Kennedy School. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Economics and my Master in Public Policy with a focus on international and global affairs. Since graduation, I have worked in investment banking and management consulting, though I al...
Harvard University
Master's/Graduate
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Lauren
PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +41 Subjects
I graduated from Augustana University with my Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Religion/Philosophy in 2019. I then completed my Masters in Humanities from the University of Chicago in 2020 and Masters in English Literature from University of St. Thomas in 2025. I was an English, Social Studies, and Spanish I was an English/History Instructor at a 1:1 school for middle school and high school students with learning differences. I was previously a college advisor for a nonprofit organization that assists college students from low-income backgrounds. I love encouraging students to develop their own writing and feel confident in their written communication skills! I am also eager to expand my teaching skills into more English Literature to share my passion for and knowledge the power of reading. My ultimate goal is to become an English Literature professor and I'm so grateful to grow as an educator with Varsity Tutors! I look forward to meeting and working with you!
Stephan
12th Grade math Tutor • +117 Subjects
I love helping people! Whether it's learning math, writing, reading, etc. or playing sports, I really enjoy seeing other succeed via my assistance. I try to relate to students in whatever they enjoy and in doing so, apply concepts to our like interests to work through difficult subjects as well as to help foster a good, professional relationship. I have tutored several students in both math and English in the past and they have enjoyed resounding success and continue to reach out for my assistance. I look forward to working with and meeting many students and parents while helping them succeed in any way I can. When I am not tutoring, I enjoy playing sports (golf, basketball, softball, volleyball), playing with my dog, and hanging out with my wife. In addition, I am a meteorologist and oceanographer following my graduation at Penn State University with a BS in Meteorology. Finally, I am presently a student at MIT pursuing a Master's degree in Physical Oceanography.
Clark
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +34 Subjects
I have a PhD (Yale) in history and an MBA (UCLA) in finance. I have excellent writing and research skills, and have made extensive use of German and French -- spoken and for research. My work in finance has required skills with mathematics. I have taught university classes in finance and international economics. Another area of much interest, related to my background in history and public policy, is US constitutional law. I published a book on monetary history (*Gold, France, and the Great Depression*) , and a more recent book of essays on topics in economics and diplomatic history (http://books.ksplibrary.org/978-625-7501-75-0/ ) .... I have worked extensively on government-related projects, often in the greater Middle East. Effective tutoring should do more than impart techniques -- it should certainly do that -- it should help a student come away with some interest in and enthusiasm for the topic. (Soft evidence for the last is that my daughter earned a PhD in neuro-science, and credits me with inspiring her.)
Carolyn
PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +107 Subjects
I believe that all learning begins with curiosity; if a first little spark of interest can be kindled, understanding will soon follow. During my time spent serving as a volunteer tutor during both my high school and undergraduate years, I was able to help many students increase their knowledge of History, English Literature, and Grammar. Additionally, I was also able to help others gain the skill sets necessary for accomplished essay writing and SAT Verbal Test Preparation. My goal is to always guide the student towards a deeper comprehension of the subject matter, with development of the corresponding techniques and sense of confidence necessary for success.
Obada
Elementary School Math Tutor • +34 Subjects
I have been a passionate educator for more than 7 years. I completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and Pre-Med at the University of Michigan, a Master of Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and am completing a Graduate degree in Social Work at the University of Edinburgh. I have taught, tutored, and mentored students in different schools and organizations across the country. I have also worked as a counselor, advisor, and co-curricular instructor for students at the University of Michigan. I have extensive knowledge and experience in history, reading, english, writing, science, and math. I always seek to support my students in meeting and exceeding their academic goals. I love working with all students, no matter their experiences and backgrounds. I believe in the importance of education and in particular in the importance of providing top quality educational opportunity for all students. I hope to instill the love of learning and growth in all of my students and those that I serve.
Patrick
Elementary School Math Tutor • +82 Subjects
After serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force for seven years, I completed a doctoral program in American Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, I have edited a literary journal, managed a research center, and published several peer-reviewed articles on American autobiography, fiction, and poetry. I live with my wife and three daughters in Durham, North Carolina.
Kendra
Elementary School Math Tutor • +34 Subjects
I am senior at Cornell University majoring in Philosophy and Government with minors in Law and Society and Near Eastern Studies. Hailing from Central New Jersey, I have had years of tutoring experience mostly focusing on the liberal arts for all ages. My priority is to create an interactive and adaptive learning environment in which each session I can familiarize myself with the student's needs and habits. The student steers the lesson and lets me know how I can help and I do my best to ensure each lesson is tailored to them personally. Learning is a vulnerable and valuable experience, one which I am honored to play a part in. Please feel free to ask about the relevant courses I have taken at Cornell as well as my experience in high school as a National Honor Society tutor.
Brianni
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +32 Subjects
Hello! My name is Brianni, and I'm passionate about helping students discover the strengths they already have while building the confidence and skills they need to grow. I have been tutoring since high school, when a former teacher asked me to support one of her students. That experience sparked my love for teaching and mentoring, and I've been committed to helping learners succeed ever since. My strongest subject areas are mathematics and writing, where I specialize in breaking down complex concepts into clear, manageable steps. As both an educator and a psychology graduate student, I understand that every learner is unique. I believe students learn best when they feel seen, supported, and challenged in ways that fit their individual needs. Whether we are solving equations or refining essays, my goal is to create a space where students feel confident asking questions, taking risks, and growing academically. I am excited to partner with you and help you reach your goals.
Sukwon
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +44 Subjects
Hi! I'm Sukwon Jeong, and I've worked as a professional tutor for over three years. I graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in Economics and a BA History, and since have been working with hundreds of students on a freelance basis. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and I have experience working both in-person at top test prep academies in the US and South Korea, as well as working with students from the US and around the world remotely. I specialize in Digital SAT, ACT, and SSAT test prep in both Reading/Writing and Math, and I also have extensive experience tutoring History and Economics subjects, including AP US History, AP World History, AP Microeconomics, and AP Macroeconomics. I'm excited to get to know you and help you succeed in whatever subject you might need help with!
Ainsley
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +46 Subjects
I am a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy, and a minor in Neuroscience. My previous tutoring experiences have primarily focused on college level physics, math, and chemistry; AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry; the ACT and SAT college entrance exams; general mathematics at the high school level; and middle school level math and english for state standardized testing. Additionally, I have experience working with students with learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD. As someone who loves learning, I am a firm believer in making our meetings enjoyable as well as educational. STEM subjects in particular have the reputation for being boring and complicated, but I love that as a tutor I can help students make sense of the topics and find the fun!
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Students typically find the period from 1890-1945 most challenging, particularly the complexities of US foreign policy, the causes and consequences of World War I, and the nuances of the Great Depression and New Deal. The Civil War and Reconstruction era also trips up many students because it requires understanding both political and social dimensions simultaneously. Additionally, students often struggle with thematic connections across time periods—like how different groups experienced American democracy differently—rather than just memorizing isolated events.
The exam has three distinct sections requiring different skills: the multiple-choice section (55 questions in 80 minutes) rewards quick pattern recognition and elimination strategies; the short-answer questions (3 questions in 40 minutes) require you to support claims with specific evidence; and the essays (DBQ and long essay) demand strong thesis statements and document analysis. Many students underestimate the short-answer section because they focus heavily on essay prep—but these questions test your ability to explain historical causation concisely, which is a distinct skill from writing longer arguments.
Strong document analysis goes beyond identifying what a source says—you need to consider the author's perspective, purpose, audience, and historical context. Many students lose points by treating documents as simple evidence rather than asking critical questions: Why did this person create this document? Who was it meant to persuade? What was happening in 1863 that shaped this perspective? A tutor can help you develop a systematic approach to quickly categorize documents (supporting your argument, complicating it, representing a particular viewpoint) so you use your 55-minute DBQ time efficiently.
Rather than memorizing dates, focus on understanding the key tensions and transformations that define each era—for example, the early republic's struggle between federal and state power, or the Progressive Era's competing visions of reform. Students who excel recognize that themes like American identity, conflict, and change repeat across periods in different forms. A tutor can help you build concept maps that connect events within and across periods, so you see how westward expansion, industrialization, and immigration are all part of the same story of American transformation, not separate topics.
Your thesis needs to make a specific, arguable claim about causation or change—not just summarize what happened. For example, "The New Deal was important" is too vague, but "The New Deal fundamentally shifted American expectations about government's role in economic security, though it faced significant opposition from those who feared federal overreach" takes a real position. Many students write theses that are either too obvious (restating the prompt) or too broad (covering too many ideas). Tutors can help you practice narrowing your argument and ensuring every paragraph supports your specific claim with relevant evidence.
The 55 multiple-choice questions should take roughly 80 minutes (about 90 seconds per question), but strong test-takers spend 60 minutes on these to leave buffer time. The short-answer section requires about 13 minutes per question to read, think, and write a solid response. For the essays, plan to spend 15 minutes reading and analyzing documents for the DBQ, then 40 minutes writing; the long essay gets 40 minutes total. Many students rush through multiple-choice to save time for essays, but this backfires because careless errors compound. A tutor can help you take practice tests under timed conditions and identify where you're losing time.
Most students who work with a tutor see a 2-4 point improvement on the AP scale (which ranges from 1-5), with larger gains possible if you're starting below a 3. The improvement depends heavily on where you're starting and how much you practice between sessions. If you're scoring 2s on practice tests, focused tutoring on document analysis and thesis-building can push you to 3s or 4s. If you're already at a 4, reaching a 5 requires mastering the most challenging synthesis questions and eliminating careless errors—work that's very doable with targeted feedback on your practice essays.
Beyond deep knowledge of American history, strong AP US History tutors understand the specific demands of the exam format—they can teach document analysis strategies, help you build efficient study plans, and provide detailed feedback on your essays that mirrors how AP graders evaluate them. They should be able to identify whether your struggles are conceptual (not understanding Reconstruction), strategic (poor time management), or technical (weak thesis statements), because each requires different solutions. Look for tutors who use practice tests diagnostically to pinpoint your weak areas rather than just reviewing material broadly.
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