The document summarizes the format and scoring of the AP US History exam. It is divided into two sections totaling 3 hours and 15 minutes. Section I has multiple choice and short answer questions worth 60% of the score. Section II contains a document-based question and long essay question worth the remaining 40%. Scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being extremely well qualified. The exam covers US history from 1491 to the present in chronological order.

2. The Test
 In Total=3 Hours & 15 Minutes
 Section I=105 Minutes
 Section II=90 Minutes

3. Section I
 Part A: Multiple Choice Questions
 55 questions; 55 minutes; 40 % of total exam score
 Sets of 2 to 5 questions tied to a primary or secondary source
material
 In chronological order, but cyclical
 No punishment for guessing; answer all Qs!
 Part B: Short-Answer Questions
 4 questions; 50 minutes; 20% of total exam score
 Each Q will have 3 components; each component’s score=0 or 1
(You get it or you don’t!)
 2 of the 4 Qs will offer an element of choice

4. Section II
 Part A: Document-Based Question
 1 question; 55 minutes (15 minute reading/prep period); 25%
of total exam score
 Part B: Long Essay Question
 1 question (chosen from 2); 35 minutes; 15 % of total exam
score

5. How the Test Is Scored
 Scores from each section
will be weighed & summed
to generate an overall AP
grade of 1-5.
 MCQs=# of correct
answers
 SAQs=Accuracy & useful
application of historical
thinking skills
 DBQs=7 point rubric
 LEQs=6 point rubric
Score # of Test
Takers
Percentage
5 50,382 11.0%
4 98,579 21.3%
3 93,170 20.1%
2 129,553 28.0%
1 90,632 19.6%
Total 242,581 100%
Data from 2014 exam

6. How the Test Is Scored
AP Score Qualification
5 Extremely Well Qualified
4 Well Qualified
3 Qualified
2 Possibly Qualified
1 No Recommendation

7. Historical Periods
Period Date Range Suggested Instructional
Time
1 1491-1607 %%
2 1607-1754 10%
3 1754-1800 12%
4 1800-1848 10%
5 1844-1877 13%
6 1865-1898 13%
7 1890-1945 17%
8 1945-1980 15%
9 1980-Present 5%

8. Historical Periods
Date Range Periods Approximate
Percentage of
Questions on the Exam
1491-1607 1 5%
1607-1877 2-5 45%
1865-1980 6-8 45%
1980-Present 9 5%

9. How AP Exams Are Used
 College Credit: Some colleges will give you college credit if
you score well on the exam (4 or 5).
 Satisfy Requirements: Some colleges will allow you to
“place out” of certain requirements if you do well on an AP
Exam, even if they do not give you the actual college credits.
 Admissions Plus: Even if your AP Exam will not result in
college credit or even allow you to place out of certain
courses, most colleges will respect your decision to push
yourself by taking an AP Course. A high score on an AP
Exam shows mastery of content more difficult than that
taught in many high school courses, and colleges may take
that into account during the admissions process.

10. Resources to Help You Prep
 apcentral.collegeboard.com/home
 Click on “AP Courses” and find AP US History
 http://ap.gilderlehrman.org/
 Broken down into periods 1-9
 http://www.apushreview.com/
 Videos, tips, quizlets, etc.
 wp.lps.org/kbeacom/apush & @BeacomsAPUSH on
Twitter