How the AP History Exam Works
The AP History exams (AP US History, AP World History, and AP European History) all follow the same structure and scoring format. The exam is divided into two sections, testing your knowledge of historical content, analytical skills, and writing abilities.
Section I: Multiple Choice and Short Answer (95 minutes)
Part A: Multiple Choice
- 55 questions in 55 minutes
- Based on stimulus materials (documents, images, maps)
- Worth 40% of total score
- No penalty for guessing
Part B: Short Answer Questions
- 3 questions in 40 minutes
- Each question worth 0-3 points
- Worth 20% of total score
- Questions 1-2 required, choose Q3 or Q4
Section II: Free Response (100 minutes)
Document-Based Question (DBQ)
- 60 minutes (includes 15-min reading period)
- Analyze 7 historical documents
- Scored 0-7 points
- Worth 25% of total score
Long Essay Question (LEQ)
- 40 minutes
- Choose 1 of 3 essay prompts
- Scored 0-6 points
- Worth 15% of total score
Pro Tip: The DBQ and LEQ combined make up 40% of your score but are worth more per point than multiple choice. Strong writing skills can significantly boost your overall score.
AP History Scoring Breakdown
Understanding how each section is weighted helps you strategize your preparation and exam approach. Here is the detailed scoring rubric for each section.
DBQ Rubric (7 Points Total)
| Category | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | 0-1 | Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis |
| Contextualization | 0-1 | Describes broader historical context |
| Evidence | 0-3 | Uses document content and outside evidence |
| Analysis & Reasoning | 0-2 | Demonstrates complex understanding |
LEQ Rubric (6 Points Total)
| Category | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | 0-1 | Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis |
| Contextualization | 0-1 | Describes broader historical context |
| Evidence | 0-2 | Provides specific examples to support argument |
| Analysis & Reasoning | 0-2 | Uses historical reasoning and complex understanding |
Score Distribution
Based on recent AP History exam data, here are typical score distributions:
How to Improve Your AP History Score
Improving your AP History score requires a balanced approach targeting all sections of the exam. Here are proven strategies for each section.
Multiple Choice Strategies
- Read the stimulus carefully: Most answers come directly from analyzing the provided document or image
- Eliminate wrong answers: Use process of elimination to narrow down choices
- Know your time periods: Understanding chronology helps eliminate anachronistic answers
- Practice stimulus-based questions: Get comfortable with primary source analysis
- Never leave blanks: There is no penalty for guessing
DBQ Writing Tips
- Use all documents: Reference at least 6 of 7 documents to maximize evidence points
- Include outside evidence: Bring in 1-2 pieces of relevant historical information not in the documents
- Analyze sourcing: For at least 3 documents, explain how point of view, purpose, audience, or historical situation affects meaning
- Write a clear thesis: State your argument in the introduction
- Connect to context: Explain the broader historical setting in your introduction
LEQ Writing Tips
- Choose wisely: Pick the prompt where you have the most specific evidence
- Use specific examples: General statements do not earn evidence points
- Apply historical reasoning: Use causation, comparison, or continuity/change over time
- Demonstrate complexity: Acknowledge counterarguments or multiple perspectives
- Budget your time: Spend 5 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing, 5 minutes reviewing
Study Tip: Practice writing timed essays regularly. The difference between a 3 and a 5 often comes down to your ability to write clearly and quickly under pressure.
How We Calculate Your AP History Score
Our calculator uses the official College Board weighting system to estimate your composite score and predict your final AP grade.
Calculation Methodology
1. Multiple Choice (40%)
MC Score = (Correct Answers / 55) x 40Example: 44 correct = (44/55) x 40 = 32% contribution
2. Short Answer Questions (20%)
SAQ Score = (Total SAQ Points / 9) x 20Example: 7 total points = (7/9) x 20 = 15.6% contribution
3. Document-Based Question (25%)
DBQ Score = (DBQ Points / 7) x 25Example: 5 points = (5/7) x 25 = 17.9% contribution
4. Long Essay Question (15%)
LEQ Score = (LEQ Points / 6) x 15Example: 4 points = (4/6) x 15 = 10% contribution
5. Composite Score
Composite = MC Score + SAQ Score + DBQ Score + LEQ ScoreExample: 32 + 15.6 + 17.9 + 10 = 75.5% composite
Score Conversion
The composite score is then converted to an AP score of 1-5 using approximate thresholds:
- Score 5: 73% or higher composite
- Score 4: 58-72% composite
- Score 3: 42-57% composite
- Score 2: 27-41% composite
- Score 1: Below 27% composite
Note: These thresholds are approximations based on historical data. The College Board adjusts cut scores each year based on exam difficulty, so actual thresholds may vary slightly.