How is the AP World History exam scored?
The AP World History exam consists of multiple sections. Your raw scores from all sections are combined into a composite score out of 100, which is then converted into the final 1–5 AP score using the year's specific curve.
| Section | Format |
|---|---|
| Section I Part A: Multiple Choice | 55 questions (40% weight) |
| Section I Part B: Short Answer (SAQ) | 3 questions (20% weight) |
| Section II Part A: Document-Based (DBQ) | 1 essay (25% weight) |
| Section II Part B: Long Essay (LEQ) | 1 essay (15% weight) |
What do you need for a 3, 4, or 5?
While the exact cutoffs change every year depending on the difficulty of the specific test form, these are the estimated composite scores required for each AP score.
| AP Score | Composite Points | College Board Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 72–100 | Extremely well qualified |
| 4 | 59–71 | Very well qualified |
| 3 | 45–58 | Qualified |
| 2 | 30–44 | Possibly qualified |
| 1 | 0–29 | No recommendation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What time period does AP World History cover?▼
The current course is AP World History: Modern, which covers global history from 1200 CE to the present.
How long is the AP World History exam?▼
The exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long, consisting of a 55-minute MCQ section, a 40-minute SAQ section, and a 100-minute block for the DBQ and LEQ.
Is the DBQ the same as AP Euro and APUSH?▼
Yes, the DBQ rubric (7 points) and LEQ rubric (6 points) are identical across AP World, AP Euro, and AP US History.