1. THE ‘NEW’ APUSH EXAM
Part A: Multiple Choice (55 questions; 55 Minutes; 40% of total exam score)
Part B: Short-answer questions (4 questions; 50 minutes; 20% of total exam score)
Section II:
Part A: Document-based question (1 question; 55 minutes; 25% of total exam score)
Part B: Long essay question (1 question (chosen from a pair); 35 minutes; 15% of total exam score)

2. SAQ’s in a ‘Nutshell’
On the ‘big day’ of the APUSH Exam, right after you’ve finished the MC part of the test, but before your DBQ and Long Essay responses, you will be required to complete FOUR SAQ’s.
This PPT will acquaint you with some useful tips to survive this part of the APUSH Exam

3. Characteristics of SAQ’s
Each ques. is worth 3 points (1 point per part)
Each addresses 1 or more of the thematic learning objectives
2 of the 4 will have some internal choice
Each requires student to include and analyze RELEVANT FACTUAL info, but student can choose what FACTUAL info to use!

4. Characteristics of SAQ’s
They will require use of HISTORICAL THINKING SKILLS to respond to a;
Primary Source (or)
Historical Argument (or)
Non-Textual Source (or)
General Proposal about US History

5. Characteristics of SAQ’s
Each SAQ consists of 3 parts
You should label each part of your response by its letter A. then B. then C.
You’re often asked to explain P.O.V. or Connect two Eras
You’re often asked to connect cause and effect!

6. Characteristics of SAQ’s
You MUST put your entire response (Pts. A,B,C) in the One page Answer space block provided!!!!
Responses MUST be in complete sentences, but the parts of your response DON’T have to connect to each other. (they can if it’s easy to do so)
FACTUAL EVIDENCE IS A MUST for each part!!!!
You DO Have to provide some analysis!!

7. SAQ’s DON’T … Require you to develop or support a Thesis Statement!
Test your Writing Skills
Give you time or room to do more than BRIEFLY develop your response to each part!
Call for a short essay!

8. SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAQ’S
Be prepared to jot down a quick answer for every part of the question (A, B, and C) directly in the test booklet. Then buttress it with specific evidence.
Try to gather more support than you think you need ( use scratch paper). Based on the samples released by College Board, you need to know general details and major highlights of the topics presented as well as basic cause and effect. You do NOT need to know obscure facts.
A bulleted list of ideas will seem unstructured and immature. DON’T DO THIS!!!!!

9. SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAQ’S A Sample
a) Briefly explain ONE important similarity between the British colonies in the Chesapeake region and the
British colonies in New England in the period from 1607 to 1754.
b) Briefly explain ONE important difference between the British colonies in the Chesapeake region and the British colonies in New England in the period from 1607 to 1754.
c) Briefly explain ONE factor that accounts for the difference that you indicated in
(b).