1. AP World history
Test Prep Strategies

2. FORMAT Section 1 Section 2 TOTAL TIME 3 hours 15 minutes
Part A: Multiple-Choice Test (55 questions) 55 minutes
Part B: Short Answer (4 Questions) 50 minutes
Section 2
Part A: Document-Based Question (1 Question) 55 minutes
Part B: Long Essay (1 Question Chosen From Pair) 35 minutes
TOTAL TIME 3 hours 15 minutes

3. SCORING TEST SECTION PERCENTAGE of OVERALL SCORE Multiple Choice 40%
Short Answer
20%
DBQ
25%
Long Essay
15%

4. PERIOD WEIGHTS PERIODS PERIOD WEIGHT 1
Technological & Environmental Transformations
(Ancient History)
to c. 600 B.C.E. 5% 2
Organization & Reorganization of Human Societies
(Classical Era)
c. 600 B.C.E. to
c. 600 C.E.
15% 3
Regional & Transregional Interactions
(Postclassical Era)
c.600 C.E. to
c.1450 C.E.
20% 4
Global Interactions
(Early Modern)
c C.E. to
c C.E. 5
Industrialization & Global Integration
(Industrial & Revolutionary Era)
c.1750 to
c C.E. 6
Accelerating Global Change & Realignments
c to
Present

5. Day of the exam Get a good night’s SLEEP the night before
EAT a nutritious breakfast
Wear loose, layered, COMFORTABLE clothing
Arrive EARLY to the test site

6. Multiple-choice (40% 55 min)
Primary & Secondary Sources, Historical Issues, Charts, Graphs, Maps, etc.
Read/examine the sources & questions CAREFULLY
Watch out for EXCEPT and WHICH IS NOT TRUE questions.
Try to see if you can ANSWER it without seeing the options
Look for the BEST answer if there is no “all of the above” option
MARK UP Qs you can’t answer quickly, SKIP, and go back
Answer EVERY question and if you don’t know, GUESS
Use the process of ELIMINATION
Eliminate answers that are absolutely incorrect
Treat each answer as a T or F question
Be wary of negative answers (never, none, not, etc.)
Be wary of superlatives (all, more, always, only, etc.)
Question answers that are totally unfamiliar to you
Trust your INTUITION
Use COMMON SENSE and CONTEXT CLUES

7. Short-answer questions (20% 50 min)
50 Minutes Total
Up to 1 Page for Each Question – Quality vs. Quantity
Primary Source, Historical Argument, Data & Maps
Multiple Components – Must Address All aspects of the questions
Thesis Development & Support Not Required

8. DBQ Essay (25% 55 min) 7 Points Total
THESIS & ARGUMENT DEVELOPMENT (2 Points)
Thesis responds to all parts of the question (1 point)
Develops/supports a cohesive argument that address historical complexities and relationships amongst evidence (1 point)
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS (2 Points)
Uses at least 6 of the documents (usually 7 docs) to support the thesis/argument (1 point)
Explains the significance of the author’s point of view, purpose, audience, and/or historical context for at least 4 documents (1 point)
OUTSIDE EVIDENCE (2 Points)
Ccntextualization – gives historical context (events, development, processes) of the time period that is thoroughly explained, not just mentioned (1 point)
Outside Evidence – gives examples or other evidence that is not found in the documents given and explains it thoroughly. Must not be evidence used to earn points in other parts of the rubric. (1 point)
SYNTHESIS (1 Point) – make connections with ONE of the following
Development of a historical period, era, or geographical area different from the one in question
Theme (political, economic, cultural, social, environment) that is not the focus of the essay
Different discipline or field (anthropology, psychology, art history, science, economics, etc.)

9. Long essay (15% min)
6 Points Total – given 2 essays to choose 1 from
THESIS (1 Point)
Thesis responds to all parts of the question (1 point)
HISTORICAL THINKING SKILL (2 Points)
Comparison – Describes similarities AND differences and explains the reason for them (1 point)
Evaluates the significance of historical figures, developments, processes & events (1 point)
Causation – Describes causes and/or effects of a historical event, development, or process (1 point)
Explains the reasons for the causes and/or effects (1 point)
Continuity/Change over Time – Describes continuity AND change over time (1 point)
Explains the reasons for the continuity AND change over time (1 point)
Periodization – How development is similar AND different to developments preceding AND following (1)
Explains the extent to which development is similar/different (1 point)
EVIDENCE
Addresses the prompt using specific examples and a wide range of evidence (1 point)
Uses specific examples & evidence to thoroughly and effectively support/justify the thesis (1 point)
SYNTHESIS (1 Point) – make connections with ONE of the following
Development of a historical period, era, or geographical area different from the one in question
Theme (political, economic, cultural, social, environment) that is not the focus of the essay
Different discipline or field (anthropology, psychology, art history, science, economics, etc.)

10. General Timed Essay tips
ANSWER the PROMPT QUESTION!!! Read the PROMPT CAREFULLY
Look at the prompt’s key words & verbs and UNDERLINE them.
Answer the prompt
Write in PRINT and write with PENCIL
BRAINSTORM responses to the prompt
Write the INTRODUCTION & THESIS
Skip the hook
Develop a clear and detailed thesis
Write an OUTLINE of your TOPIC SENTENCES for the body paragraphs
Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence
Double-check and include commonly missed rubric requirements
Write CLEAR & WELL-DEVELOPED body paragraphs
Aim for 3 strong body paragraphs
Write a CONCLUSION & REREAD the essay ONLY if you have time

11. General TIMED ESSAY TIPS
Write simple sentences
Use elevated diction (fancy “big” words)
Write clearly & neatly
Define your key terms (assume the reader does not know)
Use proper transitions (chronology, compare & contrast, etc.)
Stay focused and use your outline
Include one “big picture (general theme/trend/events of the time period)” in each paragraph
Support your statement with examples/evidence
Fill up the essay form
Give historical context (what’s going on in history at that time)

12. General tips for writing a thesis / Topic sentences
Restate the question
Pay attention to key words or verbs
Be aware of the bigger picture
Be balanced
Give some hint about what the rest of your essay will be about
TOPIC SENTENCES
Prove your thesis
Give some hint about what the rest of your paragraph will be about
Use clear transitions to & from paragraphs
Vary sentence structure to avoid sounding mechanical

13. RESOURCES AP Students Home Page AP World History Home Page
AP World History Home Page