Essays make up 40% of your AP History exam score, so strong writing skills are critical to success. Tutors can teach you the specific essay formats the College Board expects—DBQ (Document-Based Question), LEQ (Long Essay Question), and SAQ (Short Answer)—and provide targeted feedback on your thesis statements, evidence selection, and historical reasoning. With personalized instruction, you'll practice writing under timed conditions and learn to organize complex historical arguments quickly and effectively.

AP History covers centuries of material, which makes prioritization essential. A tutor can help you identify which themes, periods, and topics appear most frequently on the exam and focus your energy there first. They'll also help you understand how to connect individual events to larger historical patterns—a skill that's tested heavily on the exam. This strategic approach prevents wasting time on low-yield content and builds the conceptual framework you need to answer complex questions.

The multiple-choice section (55% of your score) requires both content knowledge and smart test-taking strategy. Tutors teach you how to read questions carefully, eliminate distractors, and avoid common traps—like answers that are historically accurate but don't answer the specific question asked. Practicing with real AP exams under timed conditions is crucial; a tutor can review your wrong answers to identify patterns (Are you rushing? Missing key vocabulary? Misinterpreting questions?) and adjust your approach accordingly.

Ideally, you'll begin tutoring 3-4 months before the May exam to give yourself time to cover content gaps and practice full-length exams. If you're starting closer to test day, focus on high-yield topics and timed practice first. Even 6-8 weeks of consistent, targeted tutoring can significantly improve your score if you're willing to put in the work. A tutor can create a customized study plan based on your current level and goals.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of what to expect. Working with a tutor builds genuine confidence by familiarizing you with the exact format, timing, and question types you'll face. Practicing full-length exams under timed conditions also helps—the more realistic practice you do, the less anxiety you'll feel on test day. Tutors can also teach you breathing techniques and time-management strategies to stay calm and focused during the actual exam.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Colorado Springs who specialize in AP History and understand the exam's specific demands. You can share your goals, current score, and preferred schedule, and we'll match you with a tutor who fits your needs. Whether you need help with one specific essay type, overall content review, or full exam preparation, tutors offer personalized instruction tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.

Your first session is typically diagnostic—a tutor will assess your current knowledge, understand your goals, and identify your biggest challenges (whether that's essay writing, multiple-choice timing, or specific content areas). They'll ask about your class notes, previous practice tests, and what you've already tried. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan and show you what to focus on first, so you can make the most of your tutoring time.