10 AP History Essay Openings That Actually Work

As an AP History tutor, I've read thousands of student essays (yes, really) across APUSH, AP European History, and AP World History. Here are my tips…

Apr 5 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

How to Consistently Score the Most Overlooked Point on AP History DBQ Rubrics

Hello there, Specific Evidence Beyond the Prompt!

Apr 5 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

March 2025

Mastering Contextualization in AP History Essays: A Cross-Course Guide

Across all three AP History courses—APUSH, AP European History, and AP World History—one skill consistently separates good essays from excellent ones…

Mar 23 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

Mastering the Complexity Point: The Key to Advanced AP History Essays

Today, we're tackling what many students and teachers consider the most challenging—yet potentially most rewarding—component of both the Document-Based…

Mar 22 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

1

How to Master the Sourcing Element of the APUSH DBQ

I've seen countless students struggle with how to properly use documents in their DBQs (Document-Based Questions).

Mar 21 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

1

April 2023

AP History SAQ Strategy: KEEP IT SIMPLE

Though your teacher may have different requirements during the school year, your SAQ approach for the exam should be as concise as possible.

Apr 6, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

AP History MCQ Video Tutorial: PROCESS OF ELIMINATION

The newsletter's first video tutorial! Process of elimination: the best way to activate your critical thinking & analytical skills against the tricky…

Apr 4, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

25:49

March 2023

AP History MCQ Strategy 2A: Answering the Question (FINALLY) with the Process of Elimination—but why?!

One of the most powerful (and simple) strategies you can have in your toolbox for the AP History MCQ section. Do not skip this step! (PLUS: the…

Mar 29, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

1

AP History MCQ Strategy 1C: Pay Attention to Detail—Question Stem Edition

We've made our way through the realm of the question stimulus and arrived at the question stem—finally. But we're not out of the "obnoxious attention to…

Mar 28, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

2

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Mar 26, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

1

AP History: MCQ Success (Pt. 1B) — "Source Material" Edition

Before you read on, please make sure you’ve taken a look at the first post in this series before you read today’s installment.

Mar 25, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

1

AP History: The Keys to Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Success (Pt. 1) — It's all in the DETAILS! - "Byline" Edition

If you’ve got a kid taking an AP History class, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the many different tasks on the test.

Mar 24, 2023 • 

Desiree D Tutor & Coach

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