Exam Overview
The AP World History Exam features short-answer, document-based, and essay questions that ask students to demonstrate historical content knowledge and thinking skills through written responses. Multiple-choice questions will ask students to use content knowledge to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Exam Format
Section I: Part A Multiple Choice — 55 Questions | 55 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score
Section I: Part B Short Answer — 4 Questions | 50 Minutes | 20% of Exam Score
Section II: Part A Document Based — 1 Question | 55 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period) | 25% of Exam Score
Section II: Part B Long Essay — 1 Question | 35 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score
The AP World History Exam features short-answer, document-based, and essay questions that ask students to demonstrate historical content knowledge and thinking skills through written responses. Multiple-choice questions will ask students to use content knowledge to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Exam Format
Section I: Part A Multiple Choice — 55 Questions | 55 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score
- Questions appear in sets of 2 to 5.
- Students analyze historical texts, interpretations, and evidence.
- Primary and secondary sources, images, graphs, and maps are included.
Section I: Part B Short Answer — 4 Questions | 50 Minutes | 20% of Exam Score
- Questions provide opportunities for students to explain the historical examples that they know best.
- Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.
Section II: Part A Document Based — 1 Question | 55 Minutes (includes 15-minute reading period) | 25% of Exam Score
- Analyze and synthesize historical data.
- Assess written, quantitative, or visual materials as historical evidence.
Section II: Part B Long Essay — 1 Question | 35 Minutes | 15% of Exam Score
- Students select one question among two.
- Explain and analyze significant issues in world history.
- Develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.