All of the AP History Exams test the same skills using the same format; the only difference is the content. This is a breakdown of what you can expect on the AP Test.
Test Format
- Section I, Part A: Multiple Choice
- 55 Questions in 55 Minutes
- Sets of three or four questions
- Each set begins with a stimulus
- Primary Text(s)
- Secondary Text(s)
- Images
- Art
- Political Cartoons
- Photos
- Charts & Graphs
- Maps
- Section I, Part B: Short Answer Questions
- Four Short Answer Questions
- Forty Minutes
- Question 1: Required
- The question can cover anything from 1200 - 2001
- Includes a stimulus that will always be a secondary source
- Question 2: Required
- This question can cover anything from 1200 - 2001
- Includes a stimulus that will always be a primary source
- Questions 3 & 4
- Students choose ONE of these two prompts to answer
- Question 3
- No stimulus
- The question can cover anything from 1200 - 1750
- Question 4
- No stimulus
- The question can cover anything from 1750 - 2001
- Section II, Part A: Document Based Question
- 1 Question with seven primary source documents, all covering the same issue and time period
- Suggested Time: 60 Minutes
- Students must
- Develop a historically defensible thesis in response to the prompt
- Describe the broader historical context
- Use the provided documents to support their argument
- Use at least one piece of evidence beyond the documents
- Explain how the point of view, historical situation, purpose, or audience for at least three documents is relevant to the argument
- Demonstrate a complex understanding of the historical development that is the focus of the prompt
- This last concept is often very difficult for students
- The College Board only occasionally awards this point
- Section II, Part B: Long Essay Question
- 3 Questions, Students respond to ONE
- Suggested Time: 40 Minutes
- Question 1 covers 1200 - 1750
- Question 2 covers 1450 - 1900
- Question 3 covers 1750 - 2001
- Students must
- Develop a historically defensible thesis
- Describe the broader historical context
- Use specific factual information to support the thesis
- Demonstrate a complex understanding of the historical development that is the focus of the prompt