AP United States History

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About the Exam

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.

Exam Duration
3hrs 15mins

Exam Date

Fri, May 10, 2024

8 AM Local

AP U.S. History Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP United States History Exam.

Exam Components

Section IA: Multiple Choice

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:

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

Section IB: Short Answer

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.

  • Question 1 is required, includes 1–2 secondary sources, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1754 and 1980.
  • Question 2 is required, includes 1 primary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1754 and 1980.
  • You can choose between Question 3 (which focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 1877) and Question 4 (which focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1865 and 2001) for the last question. No sources are included for either Question 3 or Question 4.

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

Section II: Free Response

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.

  • 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 1754 and 1980.

Long Essay
1 Question | 40 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score

  • You’ll have a choice of three questions; you’ll pick one to answer.
  • Each tests the same skills and reasoning process (e.g., comparison, causation, or continuity and change) but the questions focus on historical developments and processes from different time periods (either the period from 1491 to 1800, from 1800 to 1898, or from 1890 to 2001).
  • You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on evidence.

Exam Preparation

Credit and Placement

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