The exam has two sections: a 55-minute multiple-choice and short-answer section (40% of your score) and a 100-minute free-response section (60% of your score) that includes a document-based question, long essay question, and short essay option. Strong performance requires both quick, accurate reading of sources and the ability to construct multi-paragraph essays under time pressure. Many students find the document-based question challenging because it requires synthesizing multiple sources while maintaining historical accuracy and argument clarity.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency with preparation. Students who work with tutors typically see the most gains by developing stronger source analysis skills, learning to identify historical patterns across time periods, and practicing essay writing with targeted feedback. Many students improve by 1-2 score points (on the 1-5 scale) over several months of focused preparation, particularly when they address specific weaknesses like time management on the free-response section or understanding complex causation in political and social history.

Students typically struggle with three main areas: managing the sheer volume of content across 500+ years of history, analyzing primary documents quickly and accurately under exam conditions, and constructing evidence-based arguments rather than relying on general knowledge. The free-response section is particularly challenging because it requires synthesizing sources while maintaining clear historical reasoning—not just listing facts. Time management is also critical, as students must read and analyze multiple documents while writing coherent essays in a limited window.

Effective strategies include: reading the document-based question prompt first so you know what to look for in sources, annotating documents to identify perspective and purpose rather than just content, and outlining essays before writing to ensure clear argumentation. For multiple-choice questions, focus on eliminating obviously wrong answers and reading carefully for nuance—many questions test whether you can distinguish between similar historical events or understand subtle differences in causation. Practice tests under timed conditions are essential for building speed and identifying which time periods or question types slow you down most.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can provide personalized instruction tailored to your specific challenges—whether that's mastering a particular historical period, improving document analysis skills, or strengthening your essay-writing approach. Tutors work with you to identify content gaps, practice under realistic exam conditions, and develop strategies for the types of questions that give you the most trouble. For students in Detroit preparing for this demanding exam, personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps you make the most efficient use of study time and build confidence before test day.

Most students benefit from starting preparation 3-4 months before the exam in May, though this depends on your current knowledge level and target score. A typical study schedule includes reviewing content systematically by historical period, practicing document analysis weekly, and taking full-length practice tests monthly to track progress. In the final 4-6 weeks, focus shifts to timed essay practice and reviewing weak areas identified in practice tests. Working with a tutor helps you create a realistic timeline based on your starting point and ensures you're using study time effectively rather than passively reviewing notes.

Your first session focuses on understanding your current level, identifying specific challenges, and creating a personalized study plan. The tutor will likely assess your comfort with different historical periods, evaluate your document analysis and essay-writing skills, and discuss your target score and timeline. This diagnostic approach helps determine whether you need broad content review, targeted skill-building in specific areas, or intensive practice with particular question types. From there, tutoring sessions can be customized to address your priorities, whether that's mastering the document-based question format or building confidence with timed essay writing.