About the Exam

Exam Overview

The AP U.S. History Exam will test your understanding of the historical concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze primary and secondary sources and identify patterns and connections that can support a historical interpretation.

This is a fully digital exam. You’ll complete multiple-choice and free-response questions in the Bluebook testing app, with all responses automatically submitted at the end of the exam.

Exam Duration

3hrs 15mins

Section 1B: Short Answer 

3 Questions | 40 Minutes | 20% of Exam Score

In the short-answer section, you’ll write answers to questions in the Bluebook testing app. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.

• Question 1 is required, includes 2 secondary sources, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 2001. 

• Question 2 is required, includes 1 primary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 2001.

• Question 3 is required, includes a primary or secondary non-text source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1491 and 2001.

You'll be asked to:

• Analyze the provided sources

• Analyze historical developments and processes described in the sources

• Put those historical developments and processes in context

• Make connections between those historical developments and processes

Section II: Free Response

2 Questions | 1 hr 40 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score

In the free-response section, you’ll write answers to questions in the Bluebook testing app. There are two questions: one document-based question and one long-essay.

Document-Based Question
Recommended time: 60 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period) | 25% of Exam Score

The 60-minute recommended time for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.

• You’ll be presented with 7 documents that give various perspectives on a historical development or process.

• You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on these documents and other evidence from your own knowledge.

• The topic of the document-based question will include historical developments or processes between the years 1754 and 1980.

Long-Essay
1 Question | 40 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score

• The long-essay question will include a broad prompt from which you’ll develop and support an argument based on evidence.

• The prompt will cover approximately half of the time periods covered in the course, which allows you to focus your argument on the best evidence across the range of historical developments.

• You are not expected to address the entire time period in your response.