AP U.S. History FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about the AP U.S. History exam.
How do I study for the AP U.S. History exam?
The best way to prepare for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam is to regularly review your class materials, learn how to distinguish between and carefully read primary and secondary sources, and work through a broad set of practice questions (both multiple-choice and free-response) well before test day.
Although APUSH is an information-dense course, the exam is designed to assess long-term analytical skills rather than memorization or short-term recall. To succeed, focus on developing your ability to closely read historical documents, extract relevant evidence, and construct clear, well-supported arguments throughout the months leading up to the exam. Make sure to dedicate plenty of time to practicing written responses, especially document-based questions (DBQs) and long essays, since these sections account for a substantial portion of your overall test score.
Is AP U.S. History hard?
AP U.S. History is widely viewed as a moderately challenging exam because it requires students to interpret complex historical documents and cover a historical timeline spanning several pivotal centuries. In addition to understanding key people and events, students must grasp overarching themes, major developments, and long-term historical processes that have shaped the U.S. at different moments and continue to influence it today. The exam itself, which lasts more than three hours, is especially rigorous, with nearly two hours devoted to short-answer and extended written responses that require in-depth analysis.
In 2025, about 73.7% of students earned a "passing" score of 3 or higher on the AP U.S. History exam, while only about 14% achieved a "perfect" score of 5. To get a top score on APUSH, students must be willing to dedicate time to intentional test preparation and practice.
What is a DBQ?
DBQs, or Document-Based Questions, are writing tasks unique to AP History classes. In APUSH, students are presented with seven foundational documents, each offering unique perspectives on a historical development or process. Students are then asked to analyze these materials and write an argumentative response on a given topic within about one hour, using the provided materials as evidence. The DBQs will focus on historical topics from 1754 to 1980 and will not address contemporary issues, though the topics covered may still be relevant today.
Do I need to be enrolled in an AP class to take the exam?
Students are not required to take an AP course in order to sit for the exam, but doing so is highly recommended. Those planning to take the AP U.S. History exam independently must register on their own and find a participating school to administer the test.
If your school does not offer AP U.S. History, you may also consider enrolling in an accredited online program to complete the course.
Where do I take the APUSH exam?
Students taking AP courses through their school typically complete their exams in class or at a designated on-campus testing location near the end of the school year. AP exam scores are reported separately from final course grades and do not impact your GPA.
Homeschooled students or those enrolled in online AP courses must arrange to take the exam at a local school or authorized testing center. For security reasons, AP exams are not administered remotely.
What AP score do I need to get college credit?
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Many colleges grant credit to students who earn a score of 3 or higher, though policies differ by institution. Because requirements vary, it's important to check each college's specific AP credit guidelines when planning where to apply.
When do AP U.S. History scores come out?
AP exam scores are generally released in July. To view your results online, you'll need to log in with an active College Board account.