Award-Winning AP United States History Tutors

America's #1 Tutoring Platform

Who needs tutoring?

FOXNBCCBSUS NewsTIMEUSA Today

TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning AP United States History Tutors

Asta

Certified Tutor

Asta

Bachelor in Arts in Political Science
Asta's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

The APUSH exam tests historical thinking skills — causation, continuity and change, comparison — not just recall of dates and names. Asta, who holds a political science degree from the University of Chicago and has passed the CLEP US History exam, tackles each period by connecting political developm...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts in Political Science

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
35
Jeff

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Jeff

Masters, History
Jeff's other Tutor Subjects
10th-11th Grade Writing
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Mathematics

Jeff taught history to undergraduates at UC Berkeley after completing his MA there, which means he's spent real classroom time explaining how to connect themes like federalism, westward expansion, and civil rights into coherent historical arguments. For AP United States History specifically, he brea...

Education

University of California-Berkeley

Masters, History

Princeton University

B.A. in philosophy

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Tom

PHD, American Studies
Tom's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Geometry
Calculus

Periodization is where most AP United States History students struggle — not memorizing events, but explaining why 1848 or 1877 or 1945 marks a turning point. Tom's PhD in American Studies means he thinks in exactly these terms, connecting economic, cultural, and political threads across eras. He al...

Education

Boston University

PHD, American Studies

Harvard University

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1520

Certified Tutor

Jessica

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

The APUSH exam tests whether students can do what historians do: analyze sources, weigh competing interpretations, and build a thesis under a ticking clock. Jessica's Penn history degree and her certification as a writing tutor through the university's Critical Writing Department mean she can sharpe...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Julie

Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Julie's other Tutor Subjects
6th-12th Grade math
9th-12th Grade Writing
9th-12th Grade Reading
AP Statistics

The hardest part of AP United States History for most students isn't learning the content — it's writing under pressure with a clear, evidence-backed argument. Julie approaches APUSH essays the way her Princeton philosophy program taught her to approach any claim: identify what's actually being argu...

Education

Princeton University

Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy

Test Scores
SAT
1570

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

The AP United States History exam rewards students who can think in terms of historical causation and continuity, not just recall dates. Erika tackles each period by anchoring it to a few key turning points — the Constitutional Convention, Reconstruction, the New Deal — and teaching students to trac...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Amber

Bachelor in Arts
Amber's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

The APUSH exam rewards students who can construct a tight DBQ argument under time pressure, connecting themes like westward expansion or New Deal policy to broader patterns of change over time. Amber's arts background gives her a sharp eye for narrative structure, which she applies directly to teach...

Education

Dartmouth College

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1570
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Maggie

Bachelor in Arts, Economics/ Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Maggie's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Middle School Math
Geometry

Periodization is the backbone of AP United States History, and Maggie teaches students to see each era not as isolated facts but as part of larger patterns — westward expansion driving sectional conflict, industrialization reshaping labor and politics. That thematic approach makes both the multiple-...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts, Economics/ Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600

Certified Tutor

Richard

Bachelor in Arts, Government
Richard's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra

Scoring well on AP United States History means writing persuasive, evidence-rich essays under serious time constraints. Richard's Government concentration at Harvard keeps him deep in primary sources and historical argumentation daily, and he walks students through how to dissect a document set, ide...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Government

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

Jean

Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History
Jean's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

APUSH essays live or die on the quality of the argument, not the number of facts crammed in. Jean earned her history degree at Duke and then spent three years in law school at UNC Chapel Hill building exactly the kind of analytical writing the DBQ and LEQ demand — identifying context, weighing confl...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History

Test Scores
SAT
1500

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Scott

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +45 Subjects

I am an experienced tutor specializing in one-on-one SAT test prep. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, earning a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology with College Honors, and I am currently working toward my PhD. I have been tutoring for six years, working for well-known test prep companies in addition to volunteering for nonprofit educational organizations around the world. I offer SAT test prep, AP test prep, and academic tutoring in English, History, and Social Studies. I also offer assistance with academic essays, college admissions essays, and college applications.

View Profile

Hannah

Calculus Tutor • +38 Subjects

I'm currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Temple University. I love working with children and young adults, and I'm thrilled to be spending some time tutoring this spring.

View Profile

Margaret

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects

I am applying to medical school and I'm enrolled at the BU Medical school getting my Master's in Medical Science. As a recent graduate of Princeton University, I have realized the importance of the learning process. Often times the difficulty of the material comes from the unfamiliarity of the approach to it, rather than the inherent difficulty of the material. As a tutor, I hope to help my students realize that they can master the material when they learn the best learning strategies to approaching their various assignments.

View Profile

Paula

8th Grade math Tutor • +123 Subjects

I am extremely passionate about academics and learning; the value of each was inculcated into me at a very young age. I tutor a variety of subjects largely because I have so many areas of interests and have been privileged enough to pursue knowledge in those areas. I even enjoy tucking away "useless facts"...in fact, those very tidbits got me past the Jeopardy! Online Test and into the Contestant Audition!

View Profile

Allen

College Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I am a recent graduate of Yale University as well as of a prestigious New York City Magnet High School. I graduated with a B.A. in an interdisciplinary major focused on economics and political science (3.9 GPA and magna cum laude). I am well equipped to tutor various standardized like the SAT, PSAT, SAT IIs, GMAT, and Regents because of both my familiarity with the exams as well as my success on the exams (2330 on the SAT, 760 on the GMAT)as well as in most subject areas. I have extensive prior experience tutoring in both group and private settings and am excited to make the experience as stress-free and rewarding for my students. Beyond tutoring, I have great familiarity with the college process and have even held a position as an on campus interviewer for students applying to Ivy-league schools. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring (and eating) at New York city restaurants as well as ballroom dancing. Look forward to working with you!

View Profile

Jake

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +49 Subjects

I am a current undergraduate student at Stanford University but am spending the summer interning in Dallas! In school, I am a Human Biology major, concentrating in Game Theory and Health Policy. I have experience tutoring in Math, Spanish, and Writing and am eager to help you achieve your goals. I am flexible, patient, and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. Hobbies: reading, music, hiking, art, sports, books, writing

View Profile

Rachel

Middle School Math Tutor • +44 Subjects

I am comfortable tutoring in a variety of subjects, particularly at the elementary and middle school level. I am most excited about US history, English, writing, and public speaking. I am deeply passionate about educational equity, and firmly believe that every child has a right to an excellent education. As a tutor and teacher, I work to ensure that my students demonstrate growth in a subject area, in general academic skills, and in character.

View Profile

Elena

Calculus Tutor • +40 Subjects

I am a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History & Archaeology with a secondary major in History. I focused on medieval art and history and wrote my senior thesis on the Byzantine Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. Currently I am a Masters student in Art History at Southern Methodist University. Throughout my undergraduate education, I have taught and tutored children in various ways. My junior year of college I was a religious school teacher for First Graders. During the summer of 2012, I was an intern at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, at the Cloister's Museum and Gardens (which is a part of the Medieval Department). Throughout the summer, I led five to six, one hour tours throughout the galleries, teaching students from the ages of five to eighteen, all about medieval art. Additionally, I was inducted into Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society my senior year of college. One of Mortar Board's missions is to help promote literacy. My chapter of the honor society worked with InspireSTL, a St. Louis based tutoring program, which places talented low-income middle school students into the region's top college-prep high schools and supports their ongoing academic progress, offering them a wide range of tutoring and financial assistance. As a group, we helped tutor the students several times a week. Working with InspireSTL I was asked to tutor a very wide range of subjects - everything from geometry to history to biology, to being asked to set up an impromptu grammar and sentence diagramming class! While I love the subjects of History and English, and have tutored and taught most subjects, I have realized that Standardized Test preparation is one of the most important steps in your education. With the right mentality and training, those tests can be an easy stepping-stone into the college of your dreams. I love learning and teaching and strongly believe that everyone deserves a world-class education, and I hope to be able to instill that desire in my students. In my spare time, when I am not in school or reading for my classes, I enjoy relaxing, doing yoga, playing tennis, and cooking - all of which re-energize me and get me ready for the next day!

View Profile

Samantha

Arithmetic Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am confident that any student can master whatever subject they set their mind to, and that this can be accomplished when tutors and students work together to determine how the student best learns. By being patient, observant and kind, I get to know my students both academically and as people. Outside of working, I love to have fun by taking dance classes, running, cooking, traveling or watching a funny movie.

View Profile

Molly

8th Grade math Tutor • +86 Subjects

I am an Illinois certified Teacher in grades K-9. I attended Northwestern University and received a Master's of Science in Education. I have ample classroom experience and expertise in elementary Math and Reading intervention. I have several tools and resources from various curricula to work with and would love to help your students in any elementary or middle school subject area. For the past three years, I have been working as a classroom Teacher in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classrooms, teaching students with a variety of needs. I can also tutor students through high school and college in History and Spanish as I hold degrees in both subjects from Columbia University. I am highly qualified to tutor Writing at all levels - from elementary to adult professional writing - as I have written two distinguished theses as part of my academic training.

View Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Students often find the colonial and early American period challenging due to overlapping conflicts and competing narratives, while the Civil War and Reconstruction era requires understanding complex causation across political, economic, and social dimensions. The 20th century—particularly the Cold War, civil rights movements, and rapid social change—presents difficulty because it demands synthesis across multiple themes rather than memorization. Many students also struggle with the thematic framework itself, especially connecting specific events to broader concepts like American identity, power dynamics, and reform movements, which the AP exam heavily emphasizes.

The DBQ requires more than just analyzing documents—you need a strong thesis that directly addresses the prompt, contextual evidence beyond the documents, and clear reasoning showing how each document supports your argument. Many students lose points by treating documents as isolated pieces rather than synthesizing them to build a cohesive narrative. Tutors can help you develop a systematic approach: spending 2-3 minutes planning your thesis and document groupings before writing, using specific historical terminology and names, and practicing the skill of "sourcing" documents (considering authorship, purpose, and audience) to strengthen your analysis.

The LEQ requires 40 minutes to write a well-developed essay, which means you need a pre-planned structure to avoid rambling or running out of time. Students often spend too long on their introduction or get caught up in details that don't directly support their thesis. A tutor can help you master a rapid planning technique: identify your argument in 2 minutes, organize your evidence into 3-4 body paragraphs in 1 minute, then write efficiently with clear topic sentences and historical examples. Practicing timed LEQs under exam conditions is crucial—you'll learn to write more concisely while maintaining the analytical depth the rubric demands.

You have 55 minutes for 55 questions, which leaves only one minute per question—but not all questions require equal time. Strong test-takers quickly identify straightforward factual questions and spend those saved seconds on more complex questions requiring synthesis or interpretation of primary source excerpts. A common mistake is getting stuck on difficult questions early; instead, mark them and move forward. Tutors recommend practicing full-length practice tests to calibrate your pacing and identify which question types consistently slow you down, whether that's source-based questions, questions requiring chronological reasoning, or those testing thematic connections across multiple time periods.

The thematic framework is essential—the exam tests seven themes (American and National Identity, Work, Exchange, and Technology, Politics and Power, America in the World, American and Regional Culture, Personal and Family Life, and Interaction and Exchange) across all question types. Rather than memorizing themes, you need to recognize how historical events illustrate these concepts and explain causation through them. For example, understanding westward expansion through the lens of "American Identity" (Manifest Destiny ideology) and "Politics and Power" (federal policy, Native American displacement) is more valuable than just knowing dates and facts. A tutor can help you practice identifying which themes apply to different topics and explaining historical change using thematic language, which directly improves both DBQ and LEQ scores.

Effective source analysis means quickly identifying the author's perspective, purpose, and intended audience—not just summarizing what the document says. Students often waste time reading sources word-for-word instead of scanning for key phrases and main ideas. The skill of "sourcing" requires asking: Who created this and why? When was it created, and what was happening historically? What perspective or bias might the author have? In the multiple-choice section, this helps you eliminate answers; in the DBQ, it strengthens your analysis by explaining how the source's origin affects its reliability or usefulness. Practicing with actual AP exam documents and timing yourself helps you develop the pattern recognition needed to source documents in under a minute.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level. Students who are scoring 2s or 3s often see the biggest gains (1-2 points) because they're typically missing fundamental skills like thesis development, document sourcing, or understanding the thematic framework—all areas where targeted instruction creates rapid improvement. Students aiming for a 4 or 5 need more refined skills: distinguishing between good and excellent analysis, managing complex synthesis across time periods, and eliminating careless errors under pressure. Most students need 4-8 weeks of consistent practice and tutoring to solidify improvements, particularly if they're working on multiple-choice accuracy and timed essay writing simultaneously.

Start by taking a full-length practice test under timed conditions and analyzing your results by question type (multiple-choice, DBQ, LEQ) and by time period or theme. Many students discover they perform well on factual recall but struggle with analytical questions, or vice versa. A tutor can help you dig deeper: reviewing your DBQ and LEQ essays for common issues like weak thesis statements, insufficient evidence, or unclear reasoning; analyzing your multiple-choice errors to see if you're missing specific content areas (like Reconstruction or the 1960s) or struggling with question types that require source interpretation. Once you identify patterns—whether it's a content gap, a writing skill deficit, or a test-taking strategy issue—tutoring can be precisely targeted to address those weaknesses rather than generic review.

Connect with AP United States History Tutors

Get matched with expert tutors in your subject