How to Study for the Free Response Questions                                                  Pay close attention to the task verbs used in the free-response questions. Each one directs you to complete a specific type of response. Here are the task verbs you’ll see on the exam.

• Attribute: Identify the artist, culture, art-historical style, or object type of an unknown work of art.

• Describe: Provide the relevant characteristics of a specified topic or work of art.

• Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.

• Identify: Indicate or provide information about a work of art, including title or designation, artist, culture of origin, style, date or materials, without elaboration or explanation.

• Justify attribution: Provide rationale or justification for an attribution of an unknown work of art using specific visual and/or contextual evidence.

INFO FOR EXAM DAY

It’s important to know what you can and cannot bring with you to the exam room. This often depends on the exam that you’re taking. Review this page closely. For an overview of which exams are fully digital, hybrid digital, paper, etc., go to 2025 AP Exams: How Will They Work?

Important: Remember, if you’re taking a fully digital or hybrid digital AP Exam in Bluebook, you’ll need to know your College Board student account information to sign in to Bluebook on exam day. Saving your password on your device won’t work.                                                                                                                                                                               What You Should Bring

For All Exams:  

• A watch that isn't a smartwatch.

• A government-issued or school-issued photo ID if you don’t attend the school where you’re taking the exam.

For Fully Digital AP Exams:

• Fully charged testing device and charging cord (if your testing school isn’t providing one for you).

• Pencils or pens for taking notes on school-provided scratch paper.

• External mouse (optional).

• External keyboard: This is required if you’re taking a fully digital exam on a tablet. For hybrid digital exams on tablets, an external keyboard is recommended but not required. External keyboards aren’t allowed if you’re testing on a laptop.

2025 AP Exams: How Will They Work?                                                    apstudents.collegeboard.org/ap-exams-what-to-know/digital-testing-exam-modes 

Check your essay writing against these guidelines.

• Thoroughly READ the prompt first. The language of the question is very key! Then re-read it again and underline important parts.

• After you've read the prompt once, go through again and identify (highlight, underline, circle...) the specific tasks so you know exactly what to do.

• Do not be impulsive. Think first over course material. You have plenty of time to write. Make notes then start to write.

• Write in full sentences grouped in paragraphs.  Only make run on sentences if time is running out.                                                                                                       Do not list points. You may number your points, but each one must still be in complete sentences.

• Organize your response and answer all parts to the prompt in the same order it was asked.                                                                                                                    This will help to ensure you have not missed a task, and will be easier to score when evaluated.

• Do not rewrite the question as an introduction. Only write an introduction if  if it will help your thesis in a couple of sentences.       

• Do not make factual statements unless you are 100% sure. However measurements, and dates can be rounded off by a few units.        

• Only write a conclusion if it makes a new point that supports your thesis.

• Answer each task or provide an individual example or artwork  in a separate paragraph.

• After you've written your response. Go through the tasks again and identify them in your response.

• Spelling and grammar do not count if you can maintain the meaning of your writing.

• MUST INCLUDE FOR EVERY ARTWORK: TITLE/DESIGNATION, NAME OF ARTIST AND/OR CULTURE OF ORIGIN, DATE OF CREATION (DOWN TO AT LEAST THE DECADE), AND MATERIALS USED. 

• Use the rule of three or more: If you mention “the drapery”, what about the drapery and where is it specifically evident in the artwork? For example, if the prompt asks for evidence of the characteristics of a particular movement or time period, discuss them one at a time as evident in the artwork. Meaning, if mathematical precision is characteristic, point out in the artwork where the mathematical precision is- proportions, linear perspective, golden ratio etc. 

• Be aware of how many artworks/architecture the prompt is asking for. If the prompt says "artworks" you must include at least two artworks. Reference only ONE artwork unless the prompt specifically asks for two. You will not receive more points by discussing more artworks. Choose one good one and analyze the heck out of it. Do not compare and bring in other artworks if the prompt does not specifically ask you to. If it says "compare" then  you compare. Remember, language is key!!

• However, use an example of an artwork or architecture even if an example is not required in the question. Using the right artwork  and architecture will make your point much clearer. 

• Artwork and architecture influence later works by other artists and architects. Do not name later masterpieces by the same artist or architect if asked how a work influences other works.

• UNDERLINE titles of paintings and sculptures. Architecture is not underlined nor is it put in quotations. (You’re still not in the habit of doing this. Hopefully this is not true.)

• Do not use architecture if the prompt asks for "artworks". Only use architecture if it specifically says architecture. Remember, a stele or a memorial such as the Vietnam memorial is a sculpture, not a building. It has only one or two sides, and no ceiling. It does not enclose space.

• Compare like forms of art. For example: compare two paintings, or two sculptures, or two photographs. Your argument will be stronger. This is also true for architecture.  Comparing a building to a still life painting seems well, a little strange.

• If you choose a global contemporary work to answer the prompt you must clearly connect the artwork back to the artist's cultural origins. 

•  If the prompt includes a quote to respond to, you MUST quote the quote.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             With special thanks to Valerie White

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sKQZ8vMRM26cmjvObo3g3wQLaftgZ7r82BLbraKxe7E/edit#slide=id.gd66131147a_0_54

Ms. White's Website for AP Art History

http://www.vwarthistory.com/study.html

AP Art History Exam Practice: Past Exam Questions from the source -         The College Board

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-art-history/exam/past-exam-questions

Flashcard Machine -create, study and share 

Flash Card Generator AP Art History

https://www.flashcardmachine.com/machine/?topic_id=3047157&source=pub.pub_details