The AP US History Exam What should a student expect?

The Basics May 8, 2009 –80 multiple-choice questions –1 Document Based Question (DBQ) – 2 Free Response Questions (FRQ)

Multiple Choice 55 minutes Worth 50% of the exam grade Students who do well on this portion pass the exam.

Multiple Choice Sample Question Roger Williams was exiled from the Salem Bay settlement because he: a. endangered the colony by negotiating with Native Americans’ b. championed the abolition of private property c. questioned Parliament’s authority to tax the colonists d. disputed the authenticity of the Mayflower compact e. argued for the separation of church and state

Multiple Choice Sample Question Roger Williams was exiled from the Salem Bay settlement because he: a. endangered the colony by negotiating with Native Americans’ b. championed the abolition of private property c. questioned Parliament’s authority to tax the colonists d. disputed the authenticity of the Mayflower compact e. argued for the separation of church and state

Multiple Choice Other Types of Questions 1-2 questions to interpret an illustration, often a map or a political cartoon. 1-2 questions asking to interpret a graph or chart.

Multiple Choice Guessing Penalty Each wrong answer is worth -.25 points Each blank answer is worth 0 points Each correct answer is worth points

Essays 130 minutes Worth 50% of the exam grade –Part A - DBQ (22.5%) 15 minutes prep time, 45 minutes for writing –Part B – FRQ (13.75%) 35 minutes –Part C - FRQ (13.75%) 35 minutes

Types of Essay Questions Document Based Question (DBQ) –Based on eight to ten primary sources plus outside knowledge Free Response Question (FRQ) –Four questions = Two pre-1870 (select one) = Two Post 1870 (select one)

When Do I Take the DBQ? After the multiple-choice section You get a green booklet with the essay questions and DBQ Begins with a 15 minute mandatory reading period 1.BREAKDOWN question 2.SPLASHDOWN outside information 3.READ documents and make notes 4.REVIEW all information and take the best 5.ORGANIZE your arguments 6.CONSTRUCT strong thesis See DBQ PowerPoint for additional help

What Is the Free-Response Question? Two-part essay section Two questions in each group – select one from each group 70 minutes to plan and write both essays

Summary of Time –Multiple choice:55 minutes –Reading and planning time Part A—Q1 (DBQ):15 minutes –Writing essay Part A—Q1 (DBQ):45 minutes –Essay Part B—Q 2 OR Q3:35 minutes –Essay Part C—Q4 OR Q5:35 minutes –Total AP examination time: 185 minutes