AP United States History
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Exam Overview
The AP U.S. History Exam will test your understanding of the historical concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze primary and secondary sources and identify patterns and connections that can support a historical interpretation.
Starting April 8, you can try out the test-day experience, by answering example questions in the digital testing application. See the Digital Practice page for general information about practice options.
AP United States History students will have two options to answer example questions in the digital testing application. Both provide approximately the same time limit per question as the full exam.
We highly recommend you take the Digital Practice, and strongly advise that if you can’t take the Digital Practice, at least take the App Demo. Both can be taken multiple times, and can be accessed directly in the digital testing application. You can access your answers and solution materials (MCQ answer key, FRQ scoring guidelines) for the Digital Practice. Note: Taking the App Demo after completing Digital Practice may override your answers from Digital Practice.
You should be aware of some aspects of testing digitally that you’ll encounter–in the Digital Practice and on exam day:
Thu, May 6, 2021,
8 AM Local
This is the Administration 1 date for the AP U.S. History Exam.
Wed, May 19, 2021,
12 PM EDT
This is the Administration 2 date for the AP U.S. History Exam.
Wed, Jun 2, 2021,
12 PM EDT
This is the Administration 3 date for the AP U.S. History Exam.
Note on 2021 Exams
There are differences between the paper and digital versions of some 2021 AP Exams, and those variations differ by course. The information below applies to U.S. History only. View a summary of all 2021 AP Exam formats.
Both the paper and digital versions of the AP U.S. History Exam will be full length and cover the full range of skills and knowledge specified in the course and exam description.
Early May Exam (Paper) |
Late May and Early June Exams (Digital) |
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Section 1, Part A: Multiple Choice 55 Questions | 55 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score
The questions in the multiple-choice section come in sets of usually 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:
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Section 1, Part A: Multiple Choice 55 Questions | 55 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score
The questions in the multiple-choice section come in sets of usually 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:
|
Section 1, Part B: Short Answer 3 Questions | 40 Minutes | 20% of Exam Score
In the short-answer section, you’ll write answers to questions in your test booklet. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.
You'll be asked to:
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Section 1, Part B: Short Answer 3 Questions | 40 Minutes | 21% of Exam Score
In the short-answer section, you’ll type answers to questions in the digital exam app. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.
You’ll answer 3 required questions, with each one focusing on a different time period:
At most one SAQ in Section 1B will focus primarily on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 1754 or between the years 1980 and 2001.
You'll be asked to:
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Section 2: Document-Based Question and Long Essay 2 questions | 1hr 40mins | 40% of Score In the free-response section, you’ll write answers to questions in your test booklet. There are two questions: one document-based question and one long essay.
Document-Based Question Recommended time: 60 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period) | 25% of Exam Score
The 60-minute recommended time for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.
Section 2B: Long Essay 1 Question | 40 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score
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Section 2: Document-Based Question and Short- Answer Questions 3 questions | 1hr 40mins | 39% of Score Please note that you will respond to the DBQs and the last two SAQs in the same combined time limit of 1 hour and 40 minutes.
In this section, you’ll type answers to questions in the digital exam app. There are three questions: one document-based question, and two short-answer questions.
Document-Based Question Recommended time: 60 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period) | 25% of Exam Score
The 60-minute recommended time for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.
2 Short-Answer Questions Recommended time: 40 Minutes | 14% of Exam Score
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As indicated above, the exam section weightings are slightly different on the digital exam as compared to the paper and pencil exam:
AP Classroom Resources
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2019 AP United States History Free-Response Questions and Scoring Guidelines
Review the released free-response questions and the scoring guidelines.
AP United States History Exam Free-Response Question and Scoring Information Archive
Review free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from 2018 and earlier.
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