Exam Format

First Half of the Test

Section I, Part A: Multiple Choice 55 Questions | 55 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score

Section I, Part B: Short Answer 3 Questions | 40 Minutes | 20% of Exam Score

Students are presented with 3 short-answer questions and are required to answer all 3 questions.

Short-answer question 1 includes a secondary text source, short-answer question 2 includes a primary text source, and short-answer question 3 includes a primary or secondary non-text source.

The 3 questions cover historical developments and processes between the years of 1200 and 2001, and each of the questions focuses on a different historical period.

Students analyze historians’ interpretations, historical sources, and propositions about history.

Questions provide opportunities for students to demonstrate what they know best.

BREAK (10 minutes)

Second Half of the Test

Section II Part A: (DBQ Essay) 1 Hour | 25% of Exam Score

Students are presented with 7 documents offering various perspectives on a historical development or process.

Students assess these written, quantitative, or visual materials as historical evidence.

Students develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.

The document-based question focuses on topics from 1200 to 2001.

Section II Part B: (Long Essay) 40 minutes | 15% of Exam Score

The long essay question is required and presents a broad prompt, allowing students to draw evidence from across approximately half of the time periods covered in the course. Students may choose to focus on 1 (or more) historical development(s) referenced in the prompt. Students are not expected to address the entire time period in their response.

Students explain and analyze significant issues in world history.

Students develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.