AP United States History Exam
The history of the US unfolds across centuries, from revolution and reform to resilience. Are you a high school student preparing for the challenging AP US History exam? Feeling stressed by the sheer amount of material, or maybe just a little lost in the timeline, figures, and conflicting interpretations? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
This blog is your one-stop guide to ace the AP US History exam. From mastering key events and figures to understanding historical documents and writing essays, we’ll provide everything.
Overview of the AP US History Exam
The AP US History exam is a test designed to assess your understanding of American history from the early exploration period to the present day. Administered by the College Board, the exam lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes and is divided into two sections: multiple-choice/short-answer and free-response.
The first section tests your factual knowledge and analytical skills by identifying key events, figures, and historical processes. The second section pushes you to synthesize information by analyzing primary and secondary sources in a document-based question and constructing a nuanced argument in a long essay question.
When is the AP US History Exam in 2024?
The 2024 AP US History Exam is on Friday, May 10th, at 8:00 a.m. local time. The College Board typically administers the AP exams in mid-May. Make sure to check with your school’s AP coordinator for the exact date and time in your area, as well as any specific instructions or procedures.
AP US History Exam Format
The AP US History exam is a three-hour and fifteen-minute test. It’s divided into two main sections:
Section 1: Multiple-choice and short answer (95 minutes, 40% of the exam score)
Part A: Multiple-choice (55 questions, 55 minutes)
- This section tests your ability to analyze historical sources like primary documents, secondary accounts, charts, and images.
- Questions typically come in sets of three or four that all relate to the same source.
Part B: Short answer (3 questions, 40 minutes)
- Here, you’ll be asked to analyze historical interpretations, sources, and propositions about various events.
- Some questions will include analyzing secondary sources, like excerpts from textbooks or historical writings.
- The final required question lets you choose between two prompts, each focusing on a different period between 1754 and 1980.
Section 2: Free-response (100 minutes, 60% of the exam score)
- This section requires you to write analytical essays that show your understanding of historical evidence and argumentation. You’ll get 15 minutes to read the prompts and organize your thoughts before writing.
Document-based question (DBQ, 60 minutes)
- You’ll be given seven documents with varying perspectives on a specific historical development or process.
- The prompt will ask you to develop and support an argument using evidence from the documents and your own historical knowledge. The time period covered by DBQs typically falls between 1754 and 1980.
Long essay (40 minutes)
- You’ll have three essay prompts to choose from, each focusing on a different period in US history (1491–1800, 1800–1898, or 1890–2001).
- Similar to the DBQ, you’ll need to develop and support a thesis using evidence and historical reasoning.
What’s Tested on the AP US History Exam?
The College Board sets specific learning objectives for AP US History, which your teacher is required to cover throughout the course. As you review for the AP US History exam, make sure you’re familiar with these key topics:
- Period 1 (1491–1607): Native American Societies Before European Contact; European Exploration in the Americas; Columbian Exchange, Spanish Exploration, and Conquest; Labor, Slavery, and Caste in the Spanish Colonial System; Cultural Interactions Between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans
- Period 2 (1607–1754): European Colonization; The Regions of British Colonies; Transatlantic Trade; Interactions Between American Indians and Europeans; Slavery in the British Colonies; Colonial Society and Culture
- Period 3 (1754–1800): The Seven Years’ War (The French and Indian War); Taxation Without Representation; Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution; The American Revolution; The Influence of Revolutionary Ideals; The Articles of Confederation; The Constitutional Convention and Debates over Ratification; The Constitution; Shaping a New Republic; Developing an American Identity; Movement in the Early Republic
- Period 4 (1800–1848): The Rise of Political Parties and the Era of Jefferson; Politics and Regional Interests; America on the World Stage; Market Revolution: Industrialization; Market Revolution: Society and Culture; Expanding Democracy; Jackson and Federal Power; The Development of an American Culture; The Second Great Awakening; An Age of Reform; African Americans in the Early Republic; The Society of the South in the Early Republic
- Period 5 (1844–1877): Manifest Destiny; The Mexican–American War; The Compromise of 1850; Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences; Failure of Compromise; Election of 1860 and Secession; Military Conflict in the Civil War; Government Policies During the Civil War; Reconstruction; Failure of Reconstruction
- Period 6 (1865–1898): Westward Expansion: Economic Development; Westward Expansion: Social and Cultural Development; The “New South”; Technological Innovation; The Rise of Industrial Capitalism; Labor in the Gilded Age; Immigration and Migration in the Gilded Age; Responses to Immigration in the Gilded Age; Development of the Middle Class; Reform in the Gilded Age; Controversies over the Role of Government in the Gilded Age; Politics in the Gilded Age
- Period 7 (1890–1945): Imperialism: Debates; The Spanish–American War; The Progressives; World War I: Military and Diplomacy; World War I: Home Front; 1920s: Innovations in Communication and Technology; 1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies; The Great Depression; The New Deal; Interwar Foreign Policy; World War II: Mobilization; World War II: Military; Postwar Diplomacy
- Period 8 (1945–1980): The Cold War from 1945 to 1980; The Red Scare; Economy after 1945; Culture after 1945; Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s and 1950s); America as a World Power; The Vietnam War; The Great Society; The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s); The Civil Rights Movement Expands; Youth Culture of the 1960s; The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980; Society in Transition
- Period 9 (1980–Present): Reagan and Conservatism; The End of the Cold War; A Changing Economy; Migration and Immigration in the 1990s and 2000s; Challenges of the 21st Century
How’s the AP US History Exam Scored?
AP US History exam scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly in the multiple-choice section, with no penalty for incorrect guesses. The free-response section is graded by readers based on specific criteria, which include historical context, evidence usage, and thesis development.
Raw scores from both sections are then converted into a composite score, which is translated into a scaled score of 1 to 5. Colleges typically look for a 4 or 5 on the AP US History exam for credit, but some may grant credit for a 3. Here’s how students scored on the AP US History exam in May 2020:
| AP US History Score | Meaning | Percentage of Test Takers |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Extremely qualified | 10.80% |
| 4 | Well qualified | 15.60% |
| 3 | Qualified | 21.90% |
| 2 | Possibly qualified | 23.00% |
| 1 | No recommendation | 28.80% |
AP US History Exam Questions and Scoring Information
This table provides question papers from the 2023 exams. For access to additional question papers, scoring information, and other resources, please visit the official College Board website.
From the Desk of Yocket
The AP United States History exam offers a chance to dig deeper into American history than a standard curriculum might allow. This fosters a richer understanding of the nation’s complex past. The exam’s emphasis on critical thinking and analysis provides you with skills for college and beyond. By analyzing primary and secondary sources, you learn to evaluate evidence, construct arguments, and form your own interpretations of historical events.
However, the exam’s demanding nature shouldn’t be overlooked. The extensive time commitment required for preparation and the pressure of a high-stakes test can be stressful. Achieving a good score on the AP US History exam requires dedication and a strategic approach to studying. Additionally, the exam depends not just on memorization but on the ability to connect events across time periods and identify cause-and-effect relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AP US History exam format?
The AP US History exam is a 3-hour and 15-minute test divided into two sections. Section 1 consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions testing your knowledge of historical events, interpretations, and source analysis. Section 2 requires you to write a document-based essay (DBQ) analyzing historical documents and a long essay question (LEQ) on a broader historical topic.
Do I need to take the AP exam mandatorily?
No, taking the AP US History exam is optional. However, scoring well on the exam can earn you college credit and fulfill history requirements at many universities.
What are some resources to help me prepare for the AP US History exam?
The College Board offers a variety of resources, including the Course Description (CED) outlining the exam content, practice questions, and sample student responses. Textbooks specifically designed for AP US History, online review courses, and private tutors can also be helpful.
What is a good score on the AP US History exam?
A score of 3 (out of 5) is considered a passing score by most colleges. However, a score of 4 or 5 can potentially earn you college credit or placement in higher-level history courses.