APUSH EXAM FORMAT
AP U.S. History Exam
Section
Question Type
Number of Questions
Timing
Number of Choices
Percentage of Total Exam Score
I
Multiple Choice
55
55 mins
2-5 questions per set
40%
Short-answer questions
4
45 mins
20%
II
Document-based question
1
60 mins
25%
Long essay question
1
35 mins
Between two comparable options
15%
Thematic learning objectives will be assessed thorugh the exam
Use of the historical thinking skills will be assessed throughout the exam
Understand of all nine periods of U.S. History will be assessed throughout the exam
Period 1: 1491-1607
Period 2: 1607-1754
Period 3: 1754-1800
Period 4: 1800-1848
Period 5: 1844-1877
Period 6: 1865-1898
Period 7: 1890-1945
Period 8: 1945-1980
Period 9: 1980-Present
No DBQ or long essay questions will focus on events prior to 1607 (Period 1) or after 1980 (Period 9)
Will always write at least one essay either in DBQ or long essay that examines tong-term developments that soan historical time periods
Coverage of the periods in the exam as a whole will reflect the approximate period weighings
Multiple-Choice Questions:
Will contain a number of sets of question, with between two and five questions per set, that ask students to respon to stimulus material – a primary or secondary source, including texts, images, charts, graphs, maps, etc.
Short-Answer Questions
Will directly address one or more of the thematic learning objectives for the course. At least two of the four questions will have elements of internal choice, providing opportunities for students to demonstrate what they know best. All of the short-answer quesitons will require students to use historical thinking skills to respond to a primary source, a hsitorian’s argument, nontextual sources such as data maps, or general propsitions about U.S. history. Eahc question will ask students to identify and analyze examples of historical evidence relevant to the source or question; these examples can be drawn from the concept outline or from other examples
Section
Question Type
Number of Questions
Timing
Number of Choices
Percentage of Total Exam Score
I
Multiple Choice
55
55 mins
2-5 questions per set
40%
Short-answer questions
4
45 mins
20%
II
Document-based question
1
60 mins
25%
Long essay question
1
35 mins
Between two comparable options
15%
Thematic learning objectives will be assessed thorugh the exam
Use of the historical thinking skills will be assessed throughout the exam
Understand of all nine periods of U.S. History will be assessed throughout the exam
Period 1: 1491-1607
Period 2: 1607-1754
Period 3: 1754-1800
Period 4: 1800-1848
Period 5: 1844-1877
Period 6: 1865-1898
Period 7: 1890-1945
Period 8: 1945-1980
Period 9: 1980-Present
No DBQ or long essay questions will focus on events prior to 1607 (Period 1) or after 1980 (Period 9)
Will always write at least one essay either in DBQ or long essay that examines tong-term developments that soan historical time periods
Coverage of the periods in the exam as a whole will reflect the approximate period weighings
Multiple-Choice Questions:
Will contain a number of sets of question, with between two and five questions per set, that ask students to respon to stimulus material – a primary or secondary source, including texts, images, charts, graphs, maps, etc.
Short-Answer Questions
Will directly address one or more of the thematic learning objectives for the course. At least two of the four questions will have elements of internal choice, providing opportunities for students to demonstrate what they know best. All of the short-answer quesitons will require students to use historical thinking skills to respond to a primary source, a hsitorian’s argument, nontextual sources such as data maps, or general propsitions about U.S. history. Eahc question will ask students to identify and analyze examples of historical evidence relevant to the source or question; these examples can be drawn from the concept outline or from other examples