AP US HISTORY
AP United States History - Exam Overview
The AP U.S. 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.
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Exam Duration
3hrs 15mins
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Exam Components
Section IA: Multiple Choice - 55 questions | 55mins | 40% of Score
The questions in the multiple-choice section come in sets of usually 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 IB: 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 1–2 secondary sources, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1754 and 1980.
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Question 2 is required, includes 1 primary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1754 and 1980.
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You can choose between Question 3 (which focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 1877) and Question 4 (which focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1865 and 2001) 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 II: 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
Recommended time: 60 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period) | 25% of Exam 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 1754 and 1980.
Long Essay
1 Question | 40 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score
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You’ll have a choice of three questions; you’ll pick one to answer.
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Each tests the same skills and reasoning process (e.g., comparison, causation, or continuity and change) but the questions focus on historical developments and processes from different time periods (either the period from 1491 to 1800, from 1800 to 1898, or from 1890 to 2001).
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You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on evidence.
AP United States 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.
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 these guidelines for AP United States History Exam.
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For more information about AP United States History Exam and scoring, you can visit the College Board’s website.
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AP United States 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 United States History Exam - Study Resources
• College Board Classroom Resources
• The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History: AP U.S. History Study Guide
• Khan Academy: AP U.S. History
• National Constitutional Center Interactive Constitution
• Stanford History Education Group (SHEG)
AP United States 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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Answering essay questions generally requires a good deal of training and practice. Students too often begin to write immediately, creating a string of disconnected, poorly planned thoughts. You need to learn to attack questions methodically and to plan your answers before putting pencil to paper.
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Carefully analyze the question, think through what is being asked, and identify the elements that must be addressed in the response. Each AP Exam asks different types of questions about each subject. 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 in support of or opposing a particular movement or policy. You may even be asked to construct a graph or visual representation explaining relationships in a given scenario. Be sure to carefully craft your answer in response to what is actually being asked in the question prompt.
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After you have determined what is involved in answering the question, consider what evidence you can incorporate into your response. Review the evidence you learned 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 generalization that is being addressed?
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Whenever you offer evidence to illustrate contrast or similarity, clearly state your intent. Then, with additional information or analysis, elaborate on the ways in which these pieces of evidence are similar or different. If there is evidence that refutes a statement, explain why it argues against the statement. Your answer should reflect an understanding of the subtleties of the questions.
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Begin writing only after you have thought through the evidence you plan to use, and have determined what your thesis statement will be. Once you have done this, you will be in a position to answer the question analytically instead of in a rambling narrative.
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Learn how to present your thesis statement: make your overarching statement or argument and then position your supporting evidence so that it is obviously directed to answering the question, as opposed to being a string of abstract generalizations. State your points as clearly as possible and explicitly connect them to the larger thesis. Do not leave it to the reader to infer what is meant or how something illustrates a point.
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If you have done the analytical work required prior to writing, you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the question. You should state your thesis, introduce the elements that support the thesis, and demonstrate the logic that led you to link the elements in support of the thesis. By applying these ideas, you will construct an excellent essay.
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While essay writing in general is a valuable exercise, you may wish to work specifically on free-response questions from previous AP Examinations. This will allow you to compare your own responses with those that have already been scored and evaluated. Free-response questions are available through the Advanced Placement Program® in numerous formats. One of the easiest ways to find sample essays is to go to the Exam Preparation section of the U.S. History About the Exam page.
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. Explain "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 at what questions to expect during the exam day.
In Summary—on the exam day—you will have to:
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Read and re-read the question carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what you’re being asked to do—a misunderstanding can derail your entire essay.
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Read the test’s list of requirements for your answer. You don’t need to guess at what to include in your response—the test will tell you exactly what the readers are looking for.
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Read the documents carefully, keeping the question and requirements in mind. Take note of the author, the date, the location, and any other facts that frame the document, and think about how these may have affected its creation.
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Plan wisely—it makes a difference. Taking a moment to plan ensures that your essay will contain all its required parts and makes the writing process go much more smoothly.
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Make sure your planned answer is cohesive and analytical. It needs to be a coherent essay with depth and a strong thesis, not just a list of sources.
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Write quickly and stay focused. Follow the plan you’ve made, watch for mistakes that obscure your meaning, and make sure your handwriting is legible.
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Save a few moments to review your essay briefly for errors. You can’t make any major changes at this point, of course, and minor spelling or grammar errors won’t count against you, but you’ll want to make sure that your essay makes sense.
Conclusion
Taking AP United States History Exam and 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, if you make little mistakes, it's okay! If you fail, do not be afraid to try again. Good luck!