Hey guys, my AP World History test is approaching and I was just wondering if anyone could give me a breakdown of what to expect? Like, different sections of the exam, number of questions, time limits, etc. I just want to have a clear picture of what I'll be facing on test day. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Sure, I'd be happy to help! The AP World History: Modern exam is divided into two sections, and here's a breakdown of each:
Section 1: Multiple-Choice and Short Answer Questions
- This section accounts for 60% of your total score.
- Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs): You'll have 55 questions to complete in 55 minutes. These questions will come in sets of 2-5, and they'll be based on primary and secondary source materials such as texts, images, graphs, and maps.
- Short Answer Questions (SAQs): You'll have 40 minutes to answer 3 questions. This section will require you to analyze historical sources, draw comparisons, and provide explanations about significant issues in world history. Typically, there's one SAQ addressing a primary source, one focusing on a secondary source, and one asking you to make a comparison.
Section 2: Document-Based Question (DBQ) and Long Essay Question (LEQ)
- This section accounts for 40% of your total score.
- Document-Based Question (DBQ): You'll have 60 minutes (including a 15-minute reading period) to analyze 7 documents and write an essay responding to a given prompt. Your response should incorporate evidence from the documents and demonstrate your understanding of historical context, continuity and change over time, and/or comparisons.
- Long Essay Question (LEQ): You'll have a choice of 3 questions and 40 minutes to write one essay. This section evaluates your ability to develop a coherent argument using historical reasoning skills, identify patterns of continuity and change over time, and compare multiple perspectives.
To perform well on the exam, be sure to practice your skills for analyzing primary and secondary sources, making connections between different time periods and regions, and constructing well-organized, evidence-based arguments. Good luck with your AP World History exam preparations!
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.