The AP European History course covers historical events and processes across nine different units. Each unit is weighted equally on the exam, approximately 10-15%. The course units and sub-topics are as follows:[2]
20th- and 21st-Century Culture, Arts, and Demographic Trends
Continuity and Change in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Exam
The AP exam for European History is divided into two sections, comprising 55 multiple-choice questions (with four answer choices), three short-answer questions, and two essay responses (one thematic Long Essay Question (LEQ) and one Document Based Question (DBQ)).[3] The multiple-choice and short-answer sections are to be completed in 55 minutes and 40 minutes respectively. The essay section is to be completed in 100 minutes (including the 15-minute reading period). The DBQ is graded out of 7 points and the LEQ is graded out of 6 points. This new structure went into effect beginning Fall 2017. The DBQ is weighted at 25 percent while the FRQ/LEQ is weighted at 15 percent. The Short Answer is weighted 20 percent, with the multiple-choice accounting for the final 40 percent.
Approximately half of the multiple-choice questions cover the period from 1450 to the French Revolution and Napoleonic era, and half cover the period from the French Revolution and Napoleonic era to the present, evenly divided between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. About one-third of the questions focus on cultural and intellectual themes, one-third on political and diplomatic themes, and one-third on social and economic themes. Many questions draw on knowledge of more than one chronological period or theme.[4] Although this is the general trend based on past AP Exams, it is not mandated that the exam follow this format. In recent years and present, the multiple choice portion is Stimulus Based, meaning the students are given an excerpt of a speech or writing, photograph, or painting, to analyze and answer questions and/or give presentations on the given info.
Test Part
Test Section
Time Allotted
Questions
Weight
Part A
Multiple Choice
55 minutes
55 questions
40%
Short Answer Questions (SAQ)
40 minutes
3 questions
20%
Part B
Document Based Question (DBQ)
60 minutes (including 15-minute reading period)
1 question
25%
Long Essay Question (LEQ)
40 minutes
1 question
15%
Free Response sections
The Free Response sections of the test offer some choice.[5]
Short Answer Question (SAQ): (complete 3 of 4)
Two questions spanning 1600-2001 (both mandatory)
Choice between questions Q3 (periods 1 and 2) and Q4 (periods 3 and 4)
Long Essay Question (LEQ): (complete 1 of 3)
Choice between questions Q1 (period 1), Q2 (periods 2 and 3) and Q3 (periods 3 and 4)
Grade distributions
The grade distributions as of 2023 are as follows:[6]