1. What is on the AP exam`? Multiple Choice Questions
55 Questions in 55 Minutes
Short Answer Question (SAQ)
3 Questions in 40 Minutes
Document Based Question (DBQ)
1 Question in 60 Minutes
Long Essays Question (LEQ)
1 Question in 40 Minutes

2. Multiple Choice Questions appear in sets of 2 to 5
Students analyze historical texts, interpretations and evidence.
Primary and secondary sources, images, graphs and maps are included.
On all 6 periods

3. Short Answer Questions
Analyze historians' interpretations, historical sources, and propositions about history.
Questions provide opportunities for students to explain the historical examples that they know best.
Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.
Question 1 (required): periods 3-6
Question 2 (required): periods 3-6
Students choose between Question 3, periods 1-3, and Question 4, periods 4-6

4. Document Based Question
Assess written, quantitative, or visual materials as historical evidence.
Develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.
Questions focus on topics from periods 3-6.

5. Long Essay Question
Explain and analyze significant issues in world history.
Develop an argument supported by an analysis of historical evidence.
Choose one:
Option 1: periods 1-2
Option 2: periods 3-4
Option 3: periods 5-6

6. Answer the Question!!!

7. How to Tackle the SAQ Read the question carefully.
Underline key words and circle dates.
Plan on writing one paragraph.
Use academic vocabulary
Define your terms
Back up your ideas with examples
Depth not Breadth

8. Identify Indicate who or what it is Example:
Identify 4 river civilizations.
Identify the 5 rivers where river civilizations were based.

9. Define state or describe exactly the meaning of the word Example:
Define animism.
Define syncretism.

10. Describe
Write what someone or something is including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events
Example:
Describe one reason the Neolithic Revolution took place.
Describe the government of Sumer.

11. Explain
Make an idea or problem clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas
Example:
Explain the reasoning behind historians’ assumption that the Indus Valley civilization had a strong government.
Explain how the government of Sumer controlled their populous.

12. Describe or Explain What’s the Diff?
Describe asks for more information on a topic.
Explain asks for more information AND why or how.

15. SAQ Example
The Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations in the first wave civilizations originated at roughly similar periods in world history, but they evolved in distinctly unique ways for difference.
A. Identify and explain a reason for ONE difference in the Egyptian and Mesopotamian political systems.
B. Identify and explain a reason for ONE similarity in the Egyptian and Mesopotamian political systems.
C. Identify and explain a reason for ONE difference or similarity in Egyptian and Mesopotamian culture.

16. Scoring Guide: 0-3 points
One point for identifying and explaining how and why Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations were different politically.
One point for identifying and explaining how and why Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations were similar politically.
One point for identifying and explaining how and why Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures were different or similar.