AP EUROPEAN
HISTORY
AP European History - Exam Overview
The AP European History Exam will test your understanding of the historical concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze primary and secondary sources and identify patterns and connections that can support a historical interpretation.
Exam Duration
3hrs 15mins
Exam Components
Section 1A: Multiple Choice - 55 questions | 55mins | 40% of Score
The questions in the multiple-choice section come in sets of typically 3–4 questions based on the same stimulus. The questions will include one or more sources to respond to such as primary and secondary texts, images (for example, artwork, photos, posters, cartoons), charts, and maps.
You’ll be asked to:
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Analyze the provided sources
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Analyze the historical developments and processes described in the sources
Section 1B: Short Answer - 3 questions | 40mins | 20% of Score
In the short-answer section, you’ll write answers to questions in your test booklet. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.
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Question 1 is required, includes 1 or 2 secondary sources, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.
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Question 2 is required, includes 1 primary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.
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You can choose between Question 3 (which focuses on historical developments or processes from the period from 1450 to 1648 and/or the period from 1648 to 1815) and Question 4 (which focuses on historical developments or processes from the period from 1815 to 1914 and/or the period from 1914 to the present) for the last question. No sources are included for either Question 3 or Question 4.
You’ll be asked to:
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Analyze the provided sources
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Analyze historical developments and processes described in the sources
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Put those historical developments and processes in the context
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Make connections between those historical developments and processes
Section 2: Free Response - 2 questions | 1hr 40mins | 40% of Score
In the free-response section, you’ll write answers to questions in your test booklet. There are two questions: one document-based question and one long essay.
Document-Based Question (DBQ)
Recommended time: 60 minutes | 25% of Score
The 60-minute recommended time for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.
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You’ll be presented with seven documents that give various perspectives on a historical development or process.
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You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on these documents and other evidence from your own knowledge.
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The topic of the document-based question will include historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.
Long Essay
1 question | 40 minutes | 15% of score
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You’ll have a choice of three questions; you’ll pick one to answer.
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Each test the same skills but the questions focus primarily on different historical time periods (1450–1700, 1648–1914, or 1815–2001).
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You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on evidence.
AP European History Exam – Scoring
For the first section (multiple-choice), for every question you answer correctly, you will get one point each. There is no negative marking. It means that even if your answer is wrong or left blank, no points are deducted.
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Next is the free response section. Its scoring system is a bit complicated. Rather than being graded by AI, it is reviewed by AP graders and scored following guidelines for the AP European History exam.
For more information about AP European History exam and scoring, you can visit the College Board’s website.
AP European History Exam – Credit
Keep in mind, credit and advanced standing based on AP scores vary widely from school to school. Though a score of 3 is typically considered passing, it is not always enough to receive credit. Regulations regarding which APs qualify for course credits or advanced placement depend on the policy that your desired college or university has for AP exams.
AP European History Exam - Study Resources
• College Board Classroom Resources
• Crash Course: European History
• Georgia Virtual Learning: AP European History
AP European History Exam Tips
The following strategies for answering the free-response questions were developed by faculty consultants to help you on exam day.
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Keep an eye on your time.
Monitor your time carefully. Make sure not to spend too much time on any one question so that you have enough time to answer all of them. If you reach the end of the test with time to spare, go back and review your essays. And don’t waste time restating the question in your answers: that won’t earn points.
Plan your responses before you start writing.
Don’t start to write immediately: that can lead to a string of disconnected, poorly planned thoughts. Carefully analyze the question, thinking through what is being asked and evaluating the points of view of the sources and authors. Identify the elements that must be addressed in the response. For example, some questions may require you to consider the similarities between people or events, and then to think of the ways they are different. Others may ask you to develop an argument with examples to support it. Be sure to answer exactly what is being asked in the question prompt!
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Integrate evidence into your response.
After you have determined how to answer the question, consider what evidence you can incorporate into your response. Consider the evidence you studied during the year that relates to the question and then decide how it fits into the analysis. Does it demonstrate a similarity or a difference? Does it argue for or against a point that is being addressed?
Decide on your thesis statement.
Begin writing only after you have thought through your evidence and have determined what your thesis statement will be. That way you will be in a position to answer the question analytically instead of in a rambling narrative.
Support your thesis statement.
Make your overarching statement or argument, then position your supporting evidence so that it is obviously directed to answering the question. State your points clearly and explicitly connect them to the larger thesis, rather than making generalizations.
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Elaborate on the evidence.
Don’t just paraphrase or summarize your evidence. Clearly state your intent, then use additional information or analysis to elaborate on how these pieces of evidence are similar or different. If there is evidence that refutes a statement, explain why. Your answer should show that you understand the subtlety of the question.
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Practice!
Answering free-response questions from previous AP Exams is a great way to practice. It allows you to compare your own responses with those that have already been evaluated and scored. Free-response questions and scoring guidelines are available on the About the Exam page for AP European History.
Task Verbs
Pay close attention to the task verbs used in the free-response questions. Each one directs you to complete a specific type of response. Here are the task verbs you’ll see on the exam:
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Compare: Provide a description or explanation of similarities and/or differences.
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Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic.
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Evaluate: Judge or determine the significance or importance of information or the quality or accuracy of a claim.
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Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning. Explaining “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explaining “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.
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Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.
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Support an argument: Provide specific examples and explain how they support a claim.
AP Short-Answer Response Booklets
Important reminders for completing short-answer responses.
Write each response only on the page designated for that question.
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1 lined page is provided for each short-answer question.
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The question number is printed as a large watermark on each page, and also appears at the top and bottom of the response area.
Keep responses brief–don’t write essays.
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The booklet is designed to provide sufficient space for each response.
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Longer responses will not necessarily receive higher scores than shorter ones that accomplish all the tasks set by the question.
For more information about the AP Short-Answer Response Booklets, you can click here.
You can also view Past Exam Questions and Scoring Information for you to have a glance of what to questions to expect during the exam day.
Conclusion
Taking AP European History Exam and all other AP Exams as a whole, while you’re in high school, is a great way to demonstrate your academic skill and prepare for college coursework. If you do well on your AP exams, those high scores will be valuable assets when it comes time for you to apply to college. On exam day, just be positive and look forward to your goal. If you make little mistakes, it's okay! If you fail, do not be afraid to try again. Good luck!