If you’re preparing for the AP US History exam, you are in the right place. We’ve collected all the materials and tips that can help you ace this test in one single guide. Let’s get straight to the point and break down everything you need to know to prepare well for the exam and pass it successfully.
How Hard Is AP US History?
The main question many students have is whether the test itself is difficult. There are two answers – it is not that hard if you study in advance, but it is definitely harder than a regular school exam. Why is that so? Here is the thing: the AP Program by the College Board is all about high-school students experiencing college-level classes and exams. That’s why it can’t be easy by definition.
These courses can give you a head start in college by earning you college credits or letting you skip some entry-level classes. When you take AP courses, you’ll learn how to think critically, make strong arguments, and analyze information from different angles.
Besides, colleges like to see AP classes on your transcript because it shows you’ve taken on a challenge. Research also shows that students who do well on AP exams are more likely to do well in college and graduate.
The AP US History Exam Structure and Scoring
When you start preparing for the AP US History exam, it’s good to know about the structure and the share of each section in your final score. So, as shown in the table below, you have 2 sections with different exam weighting:
- Section I: Multiple Choice and Short Answer
- Part A: 55 multiple-choice questions (40% of your score)
- Part B: 3 short-answer questions (20% of your score)
- Section II: Free Response
- 1 document-based question (DBQ) (25% of your score)
- 1 long essay question (15% of your score)
Source: College Board
Besides, the exam covers nine units (each dedicated to a separate historical period), and some of them carry more weight than others:
- Three of these periods don’t count quite as much. They cover the early days from 1491 to 1607, the period from 1607 to 1754, and the recent times from 1980 to the present. Each of them makes up about 4% to 8% of the whole exam.
- The other six periods hold more importance and make up about 10-17% of the whole exam each.
Source: College Board
The Time Periods Covered in the AP United States History Exam
You have to understand historical developments and be able to analyze resources that span different historical periods. Make sure to work well on each of them with your teacher, tutor, or even by yourself. Here are all the units in chronological order:
Period 1: 1491–1607
This unit requires knowledge of the Native American societies that existed before Europeans arrived and how they structured their life upon interactions with the environment. You’ll also discover why Europeans came to America and eventually stayed there.
Period 2: 1607–1754
This unit focuses on the colonies that were set up in the New World by European countries like Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain.
Period 3: 1754–1800
Here, you need to know the events leading up to the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. You’ll also look at what happened in the early years after the country was formed.
Period 4: 1800–1848
This unit tests your knowledge of the developments America went through politically, culturally, and economically when it was still a young nation.
Period 5: 1844–1877
This unit covers America’s expansion and the events that eventually led to the Civil War, including the secession of Southern states.
Period 6: 1865–1898
This period is about how America changed economically and in terms of its population and how these changes affected the country’s culture and politics.
Period 7: 1890–1945
This unit covers the shifts in American society and culture during this time, including the causes and impacts of global wars and economic troubles.
Period 8: 1945–1980
To be prepared for this unit, you have to know about the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as the growth of different civil rights movements. This period also saw big changes in the economy, culture, and politics.
Period 9: 1980–Present
In this final unit, you must understand the rise of political conservatism, advancements in science and technology, and major shifts in demographics that have had important effects on American culture and politics up to today.
What Skills Do You Need to Develop?
It shouldn’t be a secret to you: AP tests are not about just testing your knowledge but rather your ability to apply interpretation and analytical skills. What does it mean? Besides knowing facts, you must be able to analyze and make connections.
For example, you certainly need to know how contacts among American Indians, Africans, and Europeans challenged the worldviews of the first. Simple facts won’t do here. So, what do you need to work on?
- Analyze and interpret sources. Master the art of analyzing primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are like firsthand accounts (letters, diaries), while secondary sources analyze the past (textbooks, histories). There are tons of practice questions and essays. Make sure to check them on the College Board website. They provide a bunch of materials not only for the digital SAT but also for AP (which is also going digital, by the way).
- Time management skills. The clock is ticking! Learn to manage your time during practice tests so you can answer all the questions on the exam day.
- Practice essay writing. One of the most important parts of the AP exam is an essay. This is a section where you will show lots of your skills and an understanding of a theme in general. Don’t just jump into writing! Take a few minutes to plan your essays, formulating a clear thesis statement and strong supporting arguments.
Tips for Answering Free-Response Questions
Sometimes, anxiety hits you on the exam and affects your ability to focus. It is good to have clear rules on how you should approach questions once the test day comes. Here are some tips:
- Make sure your answer matches the format and the content of the question asked. AP exams have different kinds of questions. Sometimes, you’ll need to compare things. Other times, you might need to argue for or against something. You might even have to draw a graph or picture to explain something.
- Think about the evidence you can use to support your answer. Look back at what you’ve learned and pick out the stuff that fits with the question. Explain why your evidence matters and how it connects to your answer. Make sure your writing is clear and easy to understand. Don’t make the reader guess what you mean.
- Before you start writing an essay, figure out the main point. This is called your thesis statement. Then, organize your evidence to support your main point. Make sure everything you write helps answer the question.
When Is the Best Time to Take the AP US History Course and Exam?
You might wonder about the best time to take the AP US History exam. Well, usually, students take the APUSH test later in high school, typically in the 11th or 12th grade. There is a perfectly good reason for that – this approach gives you time to settle into high school and handle tougher classes.
When you’re ready to take the challenge of AP History, try taking another AP course to complement your knowledge. Thus, you’ll practice all kinds of questions you’ll face on the APUSH exam and be more prepared to give the detailed answers it requires.
Can You Fail the AP US History?
If things don’t go as planned on your US History AP exam, you still have some options. First, you can retake the exam whenever you want to try for a better score. It happens once a year in May, but you can give it another shot as many times as you need. Just keep in mind that there’s a fee each time you take it.
If you don’t do well on the exam, it won’t really impact your high school GPA. Usually, your grade in the class is based on your coursework and class tests, not your AP US History exam score. Yet, when it comes to college admissions, failing the exam might have an impact if you were hoping for college credit.
Different schools have different cutoffs, but generally, you need at least a 3 (or sometimes a 4) to snag that credit. But here’s a simple thing: you’re in control of where your scores go. So, if you’re not thrilled with your results, just don’t send them to the college!
Conclusion
If you feel like it is too hard to study on your own, with just textbooks around you, find teachers who can help you. There are numerous tutoring services available. You may use the College Board site as a standalone resource or complement it with other materials. Good luck!
