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.
Fri, May 6, 2022,
8 AM Local
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP United States History Exam.
55 questions 55mins 40% of 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:
3 questions 40mins 20% of 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:
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.
Long Essay
1 Question | 40 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score
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2021 AP United States History Free-Response Questions and Scoring Guidelines
Review the released free-response questions and scoring guidelines.
2021 AP United States History Free-Response Questions
Review the released free-response questions.
2021 AP United States History Scoring Guidelines
See the guidelines that the AP Program used to score the free-response questions.
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - DBQ
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - LEQ 2
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - LEQ 3
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - LEQ 4
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - SAQ 1
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - SAQ 2
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - SAQ 3
2021 AP United States History Sample Response - SAQ 4
2021 AP United States History Scoring Distributions
AP United States History Exam Free-Response Question and Scoring Information Archive
Review free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from past exams.
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