Understanding APUSH Grading

Hey everyone, I'm kinda new to the whole AP thing and I'm taking APUSH this year. Can anyone explain how the exam is graded and what scores I should be aiming for to get college credit? Thanks in advance!

Hey! Taking APUSH is a great way to challenge yourself and potentially earn some college credit. I'd be happy to help explain the grading and scoring process.

The APUSH exam is divided into two main sections: Multiple Choice/Short Answer and Free Response. The first section includes 55 multiple-choice questions and 3 short-answer questions, while the Free Response section consists of 1 document-based question (DBQ) and 1 long essay question (LEQ).

The scoring breakdown is as follows:

- Multiple Choice: 40% of your total score

- Short Answer: 20% of your total score

- DBQ: 25% of your total score

- LEQ: 15% of your total score

Once these sections are scored, your raw score will be converted to a scaled score, which ranges from 1 to 5. Here's a general breakdown of what these scores mean:

- 5: Extremely well qualified

- 4: Well qualified

- 3: Qualified

- 2: Possibly qualified

- 1: No recommendation

If you're aiming to earn college credit, you'll generally want to score a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam. However, the specific score needed for credit varies by college, so it's a good idea to research the APUSH credit policies at the colleges you're interested in. Some colleges may require a 4 or 5 to grant credit, while others might be more lenient and accept a score of 3.

To give yourself the best chance at a high score, make sure to practice multiple-choice and short-answer questions, develop your essay-writing skills for the DBQ and LEQ, and regularly review key historical periods and themes throughout the course.

Best of luck with your APUSH journey!