History & Social Sciences

AP U.S. History

Overview

American history from c. 1491 to the present, analysing primary sources and developing historical arguments.

Official College Board page

Why take this exam

College-level rigour. AP courses mirror introductory university courses and are respected by admissions officers.
Scored 1 to 5. A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing; many universities grant credit for 4–5.
Recognised worldwide. Thousands of universities across 60+ countries accept AP scores for credit or placement.

Recommended for these majors

Humanities & Law

How you'll prepare

Registered candidates get free access to AP Classroom — official College Board instructional videos, progress checks and practice questions — plus our team's support through registration and exam day.

Exam components

Multiple Choice
55 questions|40% of Score
40%
Short Answer
3 questions|20% of Score
20%
Document-Based Question
1 question|25% of Score
25%
Long Essay
1 question|15% of Score
15%

Structure follows the official College Board format and may be updated — see the College Board page for the latest details.

Related subjects

AP Microeconomics AP Macroeconomics AP Psychology AP World History: Modern AP U.S. Government and Politics AP Comparative Government and Politics AP Human Geography