AP Test

Overview of the APUSH Exam and Review Process

Exam Date: Wednesday morning, May 14, 2014

1. Review your notes, vocab and summaries. Start with the Colonial era and work you way forward chronologically by period. A list of major periods is attached.
   • Look up facts, people, terms, concepts you don't know in your review book.
   • Try to characterize each period in your own words by summarizing it in a few phrases AND naming several main events and trends.
   • Pick up a few dates to "hang" the rest of the period on
2. Commit to memory conflicting interpretations of major issues in each period
3. Get enough sleep before the exam. If you've been cramming for nights, you won't be able to analyze and write clearly.
4. On the day of the exam: bring two #2 pencils, two dark blue or black ink pens, and a watch that doesn't beep. Pace yourself!

Breakdown of Questions

• The majority of multiple-choice questions are on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
  • 20% - European explorations through 1789
  • 40% - 1790-1914
  • 35% - 1915-present
  • There may be a few multiple-choice questions on the period since 1980
• Themes
  • 35% - Political institutions and behavior and public policy
  • 40% - Social and cultural developments account
  • 15% - Areas of diplomacy and international relations
  • 10% - Economic developments

Test Format:

1. Multiple-Choice (50%) 80 questions, 55 minutes
2. Essay (50%)
   • DBQ - only 1 option. 15 min prep time and 55 minutes writing time
   • FRQ - two sets of questions. Choose 1 question from each set. Reserve time for prep and outlining!

Scoring: