I'm currently taking AP Art History, and I'm enjoying it. However, I'm a bit nervous about the AP exam for 2025. I'm trying to figure out how the scoring will work and if anyone has tips on what to focus on during study sessions. Have any of you who've taken it had any advice on what helped you do well on this specific exam? What resources did you find useful in understanding the material?
That's a great question! AP Art History is an exciting subject. To do well on the test, it's important to understand how scores are calculated, and what areas to focus on for the maximum payoff.
AP scores are determined on a 1-to-5 scale, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. The AP Art History exam score is a weighted combination of your scores on the multiple-choice section and the free-response section, with the multiple-choice section accounting for 50% of your final score, and the free-response section accounting for the other 50%.
In the multiple-choice section, you'll be asked to answer 80 questions in one hour. You'll need to interpret art images, put them in context culturally and historically, and analyze their form and content. The key here is to practice, practice, practice! Becoming proficient at quickly analyzing and categorizing art is the best way to prepare for this section.
In the free-response section, there are two types of questions: short and long essay questions. The two short essay questions ask you to analyze a given work of art but don't require extended writing. The long essay questions, on the other hand, require a deeper, more thoughtful analysis, and ask you to make connections between different works of art.
To prepare for this exam, you should focus on several things: strengthening your visual memory, developing your ability to "read" an artwork, and understanding the chronological order of artworks and their historical context. Utilize your AP Art History textbook, and supplement it with reputable online resources for more in-depth analysis. Furthermore, practicing your writing skills will also be beneficial for the essay section of the exam.
Studying with flashcards of key artworks can help improve your visual memory. For each piece, try to remember its title, artist, date, and key contextual details. When you're comfortable with these details, compare and contrast different artworks to see the progression and evolution of styles and influences.
The most important thing to remember is that preparation is key. The more you practice your analysis and writing skills, the better prepared you'll be for the exam. Best of luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.