AP US History (APUSH) Score Calculator
Multiple Choice Section
Free Response Section
Understanding the AP US History Exam
The AP US History exam is one of the most popular Advanced Placement exams administered by the College Board. It tests students' knowledge of American history from approximately 1491 to the present and their ability to analyze historical evidence, interpret documents, and craft arguments.
How the APUSH Exam is Scored
The APUSH exam consists of two main sections:
- Section I: Multiple Choice - 55 questions (40% of exam score)
- Section II: Free Response - 3 questions (60% of exam score)
- Document-Based Question (DBQ) - 25% of exam score
- Long Essay Question (LEQ) - 15% of exam score
- Short Answer Questions (SAQs) - 20% of exam score (2 questions, 10% each)
AP Score Distribution and College Credit
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with the following general interpretations:
- 5 - Extremely well qualified
- 4 - Well qualified
- 3 - Qualified
- 2 - Possibly qualified
- 1 - No recommendation
Most colleges and universities grant credit for scores of 3 or higher, though more selective institutions may require a 4 or 5. The score calculator above provides an estimate based on the College Board's historical scoring guidelines, but the actual cutoffs can vary slightly from year to year.
Tips for Success on the APUSH Exam
To maximize your score on the AP US History exam:
- Master the historical thinking skills (causation, comparison, continuity and change over time, etc.)
- Practice document analysis and interpretation regularly
- Develop strong thesis statements for free-response questions
- Memorize key events, people, and developments from each time period
- Take practice exams to build familiarity with the format and timing
- Review released scoring guidelines to understand how responses are evaluated
How to Use This Calculator
Our APUSH Score Calculator provides an estimate of your AP score based on your performance on each section. Enter the number of multiple-choice questions you answered correctly and your scores on each free-response question. The calculator will convert these raw scores into an estimated AP score on the 1-5 scale.
Remember that this is an estimate based on typical scoring patterns. The College Board adjusts the actual conversion each year based on exam difficulty and overall student performance.