Lakewood High School

Social Studies Department

Read each slide and Click Next and Prev to move between pages.

There is a quiz at the end of the module. Click here to go to there now.

You can stop at any time until the quiz is started.

You can retake this module as often as you like. 

The class should take you approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Note: This class DOES NOT TEACH history. It only discusses the actual AP History Test.

After taking this 60 minute class, you will:

1. Understand the components of the AP History Test.
2. Learn how the test is graded.
3. Learn several strategies for taking the AP History Test.
4. Know how to find additional resources to help you prepare for the test.

The Advanced Placement United States History Test determines if the student has the equivalent knowledge obtained from taking a college-level United States History Course.

The test has three types of questions:

1. Multiple choice questions
2. Document-based essay question (DBQ)
3. Standard essay or free response questions (FRQ)

The final grade will be sent to you in July. The scores are as follows:

While a score of 3 is enough to receive credit at many colleges, some require a 4, and some even require a 5.

There are 80 multiple choice questions. You get 55 minutes to complete this section.

Thus, you have less than one minute to answer each question.

There are always 5 choices. You can often immediately eliminate one or two answers.

Questions are structured in a variety of ways.

• All of the following are true EXCEPT...
• Which of the following was NOT...
• Which of the following accurately describes...
• In the 18th century, [something] was created in order to ...

The First Great Awakening led to all of the following EXCEPT

(A) separatism and secession from established churches

(B) the renewed persecution of witches

(C) the growth of institutions of higher learning

(D) a flourishing of the missionary spirit

(E) a greater appreciation for the emotional experiences of faith

Show Answer

* Source: CollegeBoard AP: United States History Course Description

There are 80 multiple choice questions to answer in 55 minutes.

Thus, you have less than one minute to answer each question (approximately 41 seconds).

Points are calculated as follows:

• You get 1 point for a correct answer

• You lose 1/4 point for each incorrect answer

• You get 0 points for not answering a question

Total Multiple Choice Test Score = Correct Answers * 1 - (Incorrect Answers * 1/4)

Example: 55 correct answers, 8 incorrect answers, and 17 unanswered questions (80 total questions)

(55 * 1) - (8 * 1/4) = 53 points

The time periods on the test are allocated as follows:

Topics covered are allocated as follows:

Source: AP United States History (REA)

There are two strategies for taking the multiple choice section.

First, manage your time. Do not spend too much time on questions early and not allow enough time to answer all the questions.

• Go through the test and answer all questions you know.
• Note questions start easy and get progressively more difficult.
• Many students find their first impressions are often correct.

For questions you do not know the answer, you may employ this strategy:

• Eliminate answers you know are wrong.
• If you have 2 answers remaining, guessing the answer is better.
• If you have 3 or 4 left, it is better not to guess.

Do not spend too much time on questions early and not allow enough time to answer all the questions.

You should take practice tests to determine your best approach.

There is one document-based essay question (DBQ) and two standard essay questions (FRQs).

The document-based essay question requires you to read a number of documents on a topic and write an essay to answer a question.

For each of the two standard essay questions (FRQs), you will be given two choices. Typically, you are required to focus on one question for the period before the Civil War and one question after the Civil War.

Directions: The following question requires you to construct a coherent essay that integrates your interpretation of Documents A–J and your knowledge of the period referred to in the question. High scores will be earned only by essays that both cite key pieces of evidence from the documents and draw on outside knowledge of the period.

1. Analyze the responses of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration to the problems of the Great Depression. How effective were these responses? How did they change the role of the federal government?

Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1929–1941 to construct your essay.

[Ten short documents are provided for you to read.]

* Source: College Board AP: United States History Course Description

Directions: Choose ONE question from this part. You are advised to spend 5 minutes planning and 30 minutes writing your answer. Cite relevant historical evidence in support of your generalizations and present your arguments clearly and logically.

4. Evaluate the impact of the Civil War on political and economic developments in TWO of the following regions.

The South

The North

The West

Focus your answer on the period between 1865 and 1900.

5. Compare and contrast United States society in the 1920's and the 1950's with respect to TWO of the following:

race relations

role of women

consumerism

* Source: College Board AP: United States History Course Description

Essay questions are graded by two individuals using scoring guides. The general criterion for these guides are as follows*:

You get 2 hours and 10 minutes to answer all three questions.

• A clear and well-developed thesis
• Thesis supported with relevant and substantial historical evidence
• Understands the complexity of the question
• Effectively analyses all parts of the question, does not simply describe
• Essay is free of significant errors

Source: United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Exam (Newman & Schmalbach)

You must manage your time well on the essay question sections.

You get 2 hours and 10 minutes to answer all three essay questions, so you must budget your time for the essay question accordingly. Note there is a 15 minute required reading period for the DBQ essay question. Otherwise, here are recommended times for all essay questions:

Use your writing prompt cues for planning and organizing your essay. Start with a provocative and compelling thesis statement.

• Stay strictly within the dates given in the question. Do not write about events that occurred before the start date or after the ending date.
• Cite the documents. Do NOT quote the documents. Use statements like "Document 11 says..." and rephrase the actual text.
• Do not cluster documents. Cite individual documents not "Documents 3,5,6 and 8 all say..."

Use your writing prompt cues for planning and organizing your essay. Certain key words will indicate how to answer the question. Some of these cues are:

• Analyze - Detailed examination of perspective or development with key interrelationships.
• Evaluate - Make an appraisal of the argument with evidence.
• Compare/contrast - Describe two situations and show similarities and differences.

As with DBQ essays:

• Stay strictly within the dates given in the question. Do not write about events that occurred before the start date or after the ending date.

Take practice tests!

Analyze where your weaknesses are from those test results.

Study weak areas to build better factual knowledge.

Practice writing essay questions.

 There are many ways to prepare for the test. Here are several ideas.

• Study and learn as much factual material as you can during the year.

• Practice multiple choice tests throughout the year.

• Develop your writing skills.

• Determine a TEST-TAKING strategy.

There are many resources on the Internet. The list below provides a variety of short tips lists and actual online tests:

• Top 10 Tips for taking the test from About.com
• List on this page of recent DBQ Essay Question Topics. Click to see.
• Online Tests, such as the following:

• A People and a Nation: A History of the United Norton & Katzman, et al.
• The American Experiment: A History of the United States Second Edition Gillon & Matson, et al.
• The American Pageant: A History of the Republic Thirteenth Edition Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey
• The Enduring Vision Sixth Edition Boyer, et al.
• Teacher created website

There are excellent books that provide additional test-taking strategies, historic background, and sample tests to help you prepare for the test. There are many great guides available and you should find one that works for your style of study.

Here are three examples of guides. These books are available in the Lakewood library, or you can purchase them on Amazon.com or at Barnes and Noble.

There are ten questions on the quiz to review the material in this online class.

Answer each question and click Check Answer to see your results. You must do this for the credit to be given for each question.

After reviewing your answer, click Next Page for the next question.

You must get 8 of 10 questions correct to pass the quiz and print a certificate of completion.

You have completed the class on Preparing for the U.S. History Advanced Placement Test.

To take the class again click here.