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Award-Winning AP US History Tutors

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

AM
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning

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...

Education

Yale University

AM

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

PhD
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
TOEFL
SAT Reading
ISEE- Middle Level

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, fictio...

Education

Princeton University

PhD

Theodore

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Theodore

MD
Theodore's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math

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...

Education

Harvard University

MD

Linford

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Linford

MDV
Linford's other Tutor Subjects
SSAT- Upper Level
SAT Reading
ACT English
ACT Reading

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...

Education

Yale University

MDV

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

MDV

Abigail

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Abigail

BS
Abigail's other Tutor Subjects
SAT Reading
ACT Writing
ACT Reading
SAT Math

I am a knowledgeable tutor with over 5 years of experience in SAT tutoring. While studying psychology at Yale, I focused on developmental psychology, early childhood education, and writing. I have a background in nannying as well, so connecting with kids comes naturally to me. I have a master's degr...

Education

Yale University

BS

Susan

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Susan

Undergraduate Degree
Susan's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
SSAT- Upper Level
SAT Reading
ISEE- Upper Level

Susan's Masters in Applied Learning and Instruction means she knows how to break complex material into structured, retrievable chunks — a skill that pays off in APUSH when students need to pull specific evidence from across nine historical periods and deploy it in a timed essay. Her psychology backg...

Education

University of Central Florida

Undergraduate Degree

Florida Institute of Technology

Undergraduate Degree

Jessica

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

Before medical school, Jessica earned her history degree at Penn — meaning she studied American political and constitutional development at a university where those debates literally happened, steps from Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. That immersion in primary-source-rich co...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540
Carolyn

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Carolyn

MS
Carolyn's other Tutor Subjects
8th Grade Writing
SAT Reading
SSAT
SAT

The AP US History exam rewards students who can do more than recall dates — they need to construct document-based arguments under time pressure. Carolyn's deep background in American history, including CLEP-level coursework spanning pre-colonial settlement through Reconstruction and beyond, gives he...

Education

Drew University

MS

The College of Saint Elizabeth

MS

Nicole

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Nicole

AB
Nicole's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Elementary School Math
SSAT- Upper Level
GED

I am an enthusiastic educator looking to help students of every age master topics ranging from English and History, to Algebra and Calculus. I specialize in the NY SHSAT, and I especially enjoy tutoring college students in political science and international affairs.

Education

Northeastern University

AB

Stephan

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Stephan

Undergraduate Degree
Stephan's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

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...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Undergraduate Degree

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Undergraduate Degree

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Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Brian

Middle School Math Tutor • +19 Subjects

Current 4th year Medical Student Previously a Writing Center tutor for three years at University of Connecticut Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Cell Biology and Sociology I can provide both structured tutoring, where I assign work in between sessions, and more free-form tutoring. I can tutor topics regarding medicine (including MCAT) or medical terminology as well topics in chemistry (high school/intro college chemistry and organic chemistry), biology (high school/college), and statistics (AP statistics specificaly). I joined Varsity Tutors to give students an easy resource to access when they are struggling. I also can help students with writing assignments for ANY class as well as for college/medical school applications.

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Stephen

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +50 Subjects

I love math and physics, particularly as it relates to geology. Ask me about rocks in my spare time! Also a casual American history and constitutional/political buff. APUSH Text: Henrietta Calculus Text: Stewart Physics Text: Knight

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Adam

High School English Tutor • +1 Subjects

I am a graduate from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in history and philosophy. I am an avid reader and student of the Liberal Arts, though I have a strong background in Math and Science as well. I have achieved good marks on both the SAT and GRE.

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Ashley

AP Biology Tutor • +14 Subjects

As a passionate educator with a Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Health Humanities and a Master's in History, I have over 2 years of teaching experience across a variety of subjects, including General Chemistry, Microbiology, and History of Yugoslavia. I am excited to tutor for subjects such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP US History. My teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive learning environment where students can connect concepts to their classroom experiences. I utilize syllabi as a guide to tailor lessons that reinforce foundational knowledge, helping students overcome challenges, and achieve academic success. My background as a teaching assistant has equipped me with effective strategies for engaging high school students, and I am dedicated to nurturing their curiosity and confidence in their abilities. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy figure skating, playing saxophone, and traveling!

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William

SAT Subject Test in World History Tutor • +36 Subjects

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.

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Curran

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +37 Subjects

As a professional educator with over a decade of experience, I specialize in delivering personalized, high-impact instruction across the humanities, test preparation, and college readiness. I've taught everything from early literacy and middle school ELA to AP-level history, civics, and economicsand I've guided students through the full academic journey, from mastering foundational skills to crafting standout college essays and preparing for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. My background spans elite classrooms and enrichment programs alike: I've taught in college-preparatory high schools, developed curriculum for national nonprofits, and designed one-on-one tutoring plans for students ranging from advanced learners to those seeking targeted support. I bring a calm, structured, and student-centered approach to every sessionhelping students build confidence, sharpen their critical thinking, and reach ambitious academic goals. Whether your child is preparing for a top university or looking to deepen their academic engagement, I offer rigorous, thoughtful instruction with results you can trust.

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Ben

Middle School Math Tutor • +44 Subjects

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 to tutor in math (elementary to calculus), science, and SAT/ACT/AP prep. I have over five years of experience in both in-person and online tutoring, and I am passionate about helping students reach their academic and personal goals. I lead students to success by sparking their interest and making the subject fun to learn.

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Thomas

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +64 Subjects

I graduated from Dartmouth College with a double major, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in both Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Music. I continued my education at Columbia University and received Master of Arts in Biology. Starting in middle school and continuing through my graduate career, I have tutored students in a wide variety of subjects, but I was most effective at tutoring math and science because of my lifelong love and aptitude for these subjects. Since I am also working towards a career in molecular biology, I use math and science every day, and I can explain real-world applications and uses for these subjects that may not seem obvious. By demonstrating the use of math and science in everyday life, I am able to help interact with the student and increase their interest in a subject in which they may experience difficulty. I also believe that as a tutor, it is my responsibility to engage with the student to help them achieve and even surpass their goals. In my spare time, I am heavily involved with music in New York City, being part of multiple choirs and continuing to play piano. I also enjoy exercising and exploring the city whenever I have the chance.

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Kendra

Elementary School Math Tutor • +6 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.

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Clark

Middle School Math Tutor • +14 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.)

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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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