AP US History Exam Info

Advanced Placement Exam

• Friday May 6th – Given in 2 Sections (3:15)– Multiple Choice (Section 1)– Short Answer Questions (Section 1)– DBQ (Section 2)– LEQ (Section 2)

Section I: Multiple choice (40% of Overall Score)

• 55 questions in 55 minutes (all skill-based)• Time period breakdown

– 5% - Period 1 (1491-1607)– 45% - Periods 2-5 (1607-1877)– 45% - Periods 6-8 (1865-1980)– 5% - Period 9 (1980-2001ish)

• Each series of questions will be based around a stimulus (primary/secondary source, chart, map, political cartoon, photograph, etc.). Students can expect between 2-4 questions/stimulus on the exam.

Section I: Short Answer Questions (20% of Overall Score)

• 4 questions total• Can be stimulus-based or “straight up”• 2 of the four offer students an element of

choice WITHIN the answer (allowing student to focus on what they know “best” about the topic)

• No thesis required; scores are based on correctness, clarity, completeness, and targeted historical thinking skill.

Section II: Essays (40% of Overall Score)

A. DBQ (Document Based Question)• 25% of Section II score• Topic is USUALLY between Periods 2-8• Generally 6-7 documents for consideration• 5 paragraphs is the target amount• Scores are based on student ability to

formulate a thesis and support it with relative evidence

Section II: Essays – cont’d

B. LEQ (Long Essay Question) – 15% of Section II score

• Students are given two choices of LEQs; they must answer ONE.

• LEQ will ask the students to address a targeted Historical Thinking Skill (Analyze, Compare, etc.)

• Students will have 95 minutes to plan and write their DBQ and LEQ

Scoring

AP tests are holistically scored on a 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 scale (5 = highest, 1 = lowest)-LEQs/DBQs scored on the 1-6/1-7 scale that we have used all year; they are graded on the strength of the thesis developed, the quality of the historical argument, and the evidence used to support the argument, rather than on the factual information per se.– MC scoring = 1.82 points for every correct

answer (no penalty for wrong answers)

Cost

Cost of the 2016 Exam - $97– Registration forms were given to students in

homeroom on February 10th

– Payment/registration need to be completed on MyPaymentsPlus.com by March 18th

What if My Student Scores a 1 or a 2?

The worst case scenario is that he/she is out $97. But look at what he/she has gained:

-experience taking a national standardized exam-demonstration of initiative to colleges (particularly if they receive higher scores later)-practice and preparation for future AP courses (Macroeconomics, Physics, Calculus, Spanish, Comp. Gov.)-practice for taking cumulative exams at the college level

So why should He/She take this?

• At Bucks County Community College (non-competitive)– A score of 3, 4, or 5 earns credit– $105/ credit– 3 credit course = $315 savings

So why should he/she take this?

• At Gwynedd Mercy College (competitive)– A score of 3, 4, or 5 earns credit– $530 / credit– $1590 savings

So why should he/she take this?

• At Dickinson College (highly competitive)– A score of 4 or 5 earns 3 credits– $1333 / credit– $3999 savings

So why should he/she take this?• At an Ivy League University (or any other

designated as “most competitive”)…– “Most competitive” colleges/universities MAY or

MAY NOT accept AP scores for college credit (check with admissions if your student is considering this level)

– MC schools will focus more on your student’s overall grade in the course for admission; the AP Exam score WILL NOT be factored into their acceptance

Where to go from here?• Weekly Review sessions – April and May

(available throughout the week at East, West, and South after school and possibly nights…schedule will be given to students in late March)

• Think about purchasing an AP US History Review book between now and the test…

Two Great Choices:

Currently $11.52 on Amazon.com Currently $14.07 on Amazon.com