AP European History

The questions in the multiple-choice section come in sets of typically 3–4 questions based on the same stimulus. The questions will include one or more sources to respond to such as primary and secondary texts, images (for example, artwork, photos, posters, cartoons), charts, and maps.

 You’ll be asked to:

• Analyze the provided sources
• Analyze the historical developments and processes described in the sources

In the short-answer section, you’ll write answers to questions in the Bluebook testing app. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.

• Question 1 is required, includes 1 secondary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1450 and 2001.
• Question 2 is required, includes 1 primary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1450 and 2001.
• Question 3 is required, includes a primary or secondary non-text source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1450 and 2001.

You’ll be asked to:

• Analyze the provided sources
• Analyze historical developments and processes described in the sources
• Put those historical developments and processes in context
• Make connections between those historical developments and processes

In the free-response section, you’ll write answers to questions in the Bluebook testing app. There are two questions: one document-based question and one long-essay.

Document-Based Question (DBQ)
Recommended time: 60 minutes | 25% of Score
The 60-minute recommended time for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.

• You’ll be presented with seven documents that give various perspectives on a historical development or process.
• You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on these documents and other evidence from your own knowledge.
• The topic of the document-based question will include historical developments or processes between the years 1450 and 2001.

Long-Essay
1 question | 40 minutes | 15% of score

• The long-essay question will include a broad prompt from which you’ll develop and support an argument based on evidence.
• The prompt will cover approximately half of the time periods covered in the course, which allows you to focus your argument using the content you know best across the range of historical developments.
• You are not expected to address the entire time period in your response.