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Award-Winning AP US History Tutors
Certified Tutor
2+ years
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...
Yale University
BS

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
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...
Princeton University
PhD

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
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
Cognitive studies at Vanderbilt trained Chamberlyn to think about how people process and retain complex information — a skill she turns toward APUSH's toughest demand, which isn't memorizing events but synthesizing them into coherent arguments under timed pressure. She zeroes in on the causation and...
Vanderbilt University
BS

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I am a graduate of the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. I have completed Master's coursework and research in the field of Educational Psychology, with a focus in Gifted Studies. I tutor many subjects, but I really enjoy teaching various math courses, Advanced Placeme...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Thomas
Biochemistry and molecular biology don't seem like obvious preparation for APUSH, but Thomas's science training built the exact analytical habit the exam rewards: tracing cause-and-effect chains through complex systems, whether that's a metabolic pathway or the cascade from industrialization to Prog...
Columbia University in the City of New York
AM
Dartmouth College
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
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
An anthropology degree trains you to read cultures the way historians read periods — looking for underlying structures of power, belief, and social organization beneath surface-level events. Sarah brings that ethnographic instinct to APUSH's document analysis, where understanding a source's cultural...
Tulane University of Louisiana
CTF
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Top 20 Social Studies Subjects
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Susan
PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +44 Subjects
I am fortunate; I get to do the best job in the world. While teaching is my second career, it was always what I wanted to do. When I graduated from college, I was offered a position with my college's admissions and marketing office, where I had been working to put myself through school. It was a tremendous opportunity, and launched an eighteen-year career helping high school students make important decisions about their futures, and navigate an often complex admissions and financial aid system. I loved working with students, being around bright, engaging people, and doing work that made a difference. But each time I walked through a high school to present a workshop on writing college essays or preparing for college interviews, I was reminded of how deeply I still wanted to be in a classroom. So I took the plunge, and now spend my days teaching social studies to great students at a great school. I have taught world history, American history, sociology, psychology, economics, and even developed a high school course in teaching for students seeking a career in education. I am passionate about understanding how the past has shaped the present, and helping students recognize their critical role in protecting and preserving democracy. In addition to teaching course curricula, I work with students on writing skills, standardized test preparation, and college essays, because all of these skills will help them reach their academic goals. As a teacher, I believe that it is critical to help students develop the ability to regulate their own learning, and implement meta-cognitive strategies that will serve them in college and beyond. When I'm not teaching, I am a mom to a high school sophomore, a long-distance mom to two college students, a gardener who grows lots of organic vegetables, and an avid reader of anything historical. If I can help you in a specific subject area, or with essays, test preparation, or homework support, either face-to-face or on-line, let me know!
Rhea
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +49 Subjects
I have been a tutor for 9 years, specializing in test prep and admissions tests. I also work with students on admissions essays and general homework help. I come from a suburban town near Houston, Texas, where I attended an international studies high school and gained tutoring experience through working and volunteering. I have worked as an assistant teacher for ESL (English as a Second Language) and volunteered as a tutor in both regular and AP subjects throughout my high school years. I have a BA in International Studies, with a minor in Business Administration and a certificate in Community Based Participatory Research. I am very interested in education, and I have spent lots of time studying different education systems and teaching methods. I believe that every single student has a unique way of learning and processing information, so it is important for them to develop their own studying habits and learning methods. That is why I want to be a tutor - so that I can help students discover their ideal way of learning. I am a determined and dedicated student that wants to help others. I have experience tutoring and working with students that are struggling to grasp difficult material and concepts. I am a social and outgoing person who works well with others, and I will try my best to help students succeed.
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
Lindsey
SAT Reading Tutor • +23 Subjects
I am a college journalism and Spanish student at UNC Chapel Hill with a background of AP and honors classes. I have worked with students ranging from kindergarten to high school and am passionate about helping students to unlock their full potential and fall in love with learning. I offer tutoring for a variety of skills related to English, History and Spanish, as well as ACT and SAT prep. I believe that all students are smart and capable of academic success and would love the opportunity to prove that to your student.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
Stephan
AP Statistics Tutor • +64 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.
Carolyn
SAT Reading Tutor • +40 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.
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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