Format:
The Short Answer Questions on the AP Exam consist of 4 sets of short-answer questions. You must answer the first 2, and have a choice of answering either the third or fourth. Each SAQ question has 3 parts (a,b,c) that must listed when answering. Some SAQs have have stimulus sources to go with it as well. This section is 20% of the exam grade, and lasts for 40 minutes.
Step-by-Step: (Disclaimer: Your teachers may have different recommended processes for answering these prompts, this is just what works for me)
Step 1 - Read the prompt & stimulus (if provided one).
Step 2 - Answer the prompt directly and fully.
Step 3 - Provide historical examples/evidence to back up your claim or answer.
Step 4 - If needed, elaborate on how your evidence ties into your answer.
How to answer each type of prompt:
Identify/Describe - Answer by providing information about what is asked, and give a specific historical example.
Explain - Answer the prompt with specific historical evidence. Elaborate on how the evidence supports your answer, and to give extra context to clearly explain your answer. Remember that "Explain" SAQs usually come in two forms:
How ("Explain ONE way ___ affected/contributed to ___ ") - Explain how a process or development happened
Why ("Explain ONE reason why [person or group] did ___") - Explain what incentivized the person/group to do something
Additional Tips (In-class Exam):
Having in-depth knowledge about a specific and significant development in your unit makes it easy to pull specific examples for your SAQ.
Know changes & continuities in the 5 themes (Cultural developments, environment, government & politics, economic systems, social interaction, technology & innovation. )
Additional Tips (AP Exam):
Make sure to look at the time period addressed in the prompt.
And generally, be as SPECIFIC as you can!