Exam timing
On exam day, you'll click on the link in your e-ticket 30 minutes before the start time for your exam and fill in some information.
A timer will show how much time remains until the start of the exam.
Once the exam starts, the exam question will automatically appear, and another timer will start counting down.
Your timer will show 50 minutes. You should take 45 minutes to read the question and work on your response, and 5 minutes to submit it. When the timer gets to 5 minutes, an alert will show. Stop working at that time and begin to submit your response.
What to have ready on exam day
Required
- e-ticket email (you’ll receive this two days before your exam)
- Completed Exam Day Checklist, including AP ID
- Device: laptop, tablet, smartphone, desktop computer
- Browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Safari, or Edge
- Internet or cellular connection
- Assistive technology and devices (if applicable, for students approved to test with accommodations)
Recommended for students typing responses
- Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notes, or another app to enter and save text
Permitted
- Your class notes or study guides
- Textbooks and other classroom resources
- Previous assignments or assessments
Questions
Question 1 (45 mins.)
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% of exam weight (rounded) |
100% |
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Question name |
Modified Document-Based Question (DBQ) |
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Question description |
This question presents students with 5 historical sources, 1 of which will be a non-text-based source. This question assesses students’ ability to:
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Corresponding free-response question (FRQ) type in the course and exam description binder |
Modified Document-Based Question (DBQ). The prompt for the 2020 modified DBQ may be derived from any of Units 3–7, and will include 5 documents (instead of 7). The rubric (.pdf/667 KB) will be lightly modified to match the reduced number of documents, awarding 1 point for using 2 documents and an additional point for using 4 documents. An additional point will be awarded for effectively incorporating a second piece of outside knowledge into the argument. Students can earn up to 2 points for sourcing (1 point for each document). |
What’s covered
Units eligible for 2020 exam: Units 3−7 (Students may choose to, but do not need to, provide content knowledge from Units 1 and/or 2 for context)
Units not included in 2020 exam: Units 1−2 (although students may choose to provide content knowledge from Units 1 and/or 2 for context), 8–9
Sample Questions for the 2020 exam
Download example questions (.pdf/628 KB) similar to what you'll see on the 2020 AP U.S. History Exam
2020 primary exam date and times
The May AP Exams are complete. For reference, here is the past primary exam date and time for this course.
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Date: May 15 |
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Hawaii Time: 8 a.m. |
Makeup test date and times
The early-June AP makeup exams are complete. For reference, here is the past makeup exam date and time for this course.
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Date: June 3 |
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Hawaii Time: 6 a.m. |
Exception testing date and times
The late-June AP exception testing exams are complete. For reference, here is the past exception testing exam date and time for this course.
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Date: June 25 |
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Hawaii Time: 8 a.m. |