AP US History: Exam
Writing In AP US History
U.S. History Essay Writing / Exam Information
The AP U.S. History Exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and includes both a 100-minute multiple-choice / short-answer section (Part I) and a 95-minute free-response section (Part II). Each section is divided into two parts, as shown in the table below. Student performance on these four parts will be compiled and weighted to determine an AP Exam score. AP Scores are 5 – 1.
Section
Question Type
Number of Questions
Timing
Percentage of Total Exam Score
I
Part A: Multiple-choice questions
55 questions
55 minutes
40%
Part B: Short-answer questions
4 questions
45 minutes
20%
BREAK
II
Part A: Document-based question (DBQ)
1 question
60 minutes
25%
Part B: Long essay question (LEQ)
1 question (chosen from a pair)
35 minutes
15%
College Board Historical Thinking Skills
Historical Argumentation: Historical thinking involves the ability to define and frame a question about the past and to address that question by constructing an argument. A plausible and persuasive argument requires a clear, comprehensive and analytical thesis, supported by relevant historical evidence—not simply evidence that supports a preferred or preconceived position. Additionally, argumentation involves the capacity to describe, analyze and evaluate the arguments of others in light of available evidence.
Use of Relevant Historical Evidence: Historical thinking involves the ability to identify, describe and evaluate evidence about the past from diverse sources (including written documents, works of art, archaeological artifacts, oral traditions and other primary sources), with respect to content, authorship, purpose, format and audience. It involves the capacity to extract useful information, make supportable inferences and draw appropriate conclusions from historical evidence while also understanding such evidence in its context, recognizing its limitations and assessing the points of view that it reflects.
Historical
U.S. History Essay Writing / Exam Information
The AP U.S. History Exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and includes both a 100-minute multiple-choice / short-answer section (Part I) and a 95-minute free-response section (Part II). Each section is divided into two parts, as shown in the table below. Student performance on these four parts will be compiled and weighted to determine an AP Exam score. AP Scores are 5 – 1.
Section
Question Type
Number of Questions
Timing
Percentage of Total Exam Score
I
Part A: Multiple-choice questions
55 questions
55 minutes
40%
Part B: Short-answer questions
4 questions
45 minutes
20%
BREAK
II
Part A: Document-based question (DBQ)
1 question
60 minutes
25%
Part B: Long essay question (LEQ)
1 question (chosen from a pair)
35 minutes
15%
College Board Historical Thinking Skills
Historical Argumentation: Historical thinking involves the ability to define and frame a question about the past and to address that question by constructing an argument. A plausible and persuasive argument requires a clear, comprehensive and analytical thesis, supported by relevant historical evidence—not simply evidence that supports a preferred or preconceived position. Additionally, argumentation involves the capacity to describe, analyze and evaluate the arguments of others in light of available evidence.
Use of Relevant Historical Evidence: Historical thinking involves the ability to identify, describe and evaluate evidence about the past from diverse sources (including written documents, works of art, archaeological artifacts, oral traditions and other primary sources), with respect to content, authorship, purpose, format and audience. It involves the capacity to extract useful information, make supportable inferences and draw appropriate conclusions from historical evidence while also understanding such evidence in its context, recognizing its limitations and assessing the points of view that it reflects.
Historical