Hey folks, does anybody have any examples of DBQs for the AP World History exam? I'm really struggling with how to structure my essays, and I think seeing some examples might help.
Hello! DBQ, or Document-Based Questions, challenge you to interpret primary sources and synthesize them into a coherent argument. Seeing examples is certainly a great way to understand the structure of the essays on the AP World History exam.
While CollegeBoard has removed several past AP World History exams from their website, you're in luck because they have released a few sample student responses to DBQs, complete with scoring explanations.
You can find them on the CollegeBoard's site by going to "AP World History: Modern", then into the "Exam Information" section. In the "Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information" subsection, look for the "Student Sample Responses" column.
These sample responses are actual student DBQs that have been graded and annotated by the AP graders, so they're very useful for understanding how the exam is evaluated.
With all this said, remember that the best way to improve your DBQ skills is to practice. Try answering a few DBQs on your own before diving into the sample responses. It'll give you insight into your current writing and analysis abilities, and you can then compare your work to the scored examples to identify areas for improvement. Good luck!
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