AP World History: Modern

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AP World History: Modern

The AP World History course focuses on world history from the year 1200 to the present. The exam is designed to measure your knowledge of world history and your ability to think historically. Questions are based on historical thinking skills, key concepts of world history, course themes, and learning objectives. The exam will cover nine different units, each with an exam weighting of 8-10%:

Unit 1: The Global Tapestry

Unit 2: Networks of Exchange

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections

Unit 5: Revolutions

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization

Unit 7: Global Conflict

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization

Unit 9: Globalization

The AP World History exam format is:

Section 1
Part A (55 minutes, 40% of grade)
55 Multiple-choice questions

Part B (40 minutes, 20% of grade)
3 Short-answer questions

Section 2
Part A (55 minutes, 25% of grade)
1 Document-based question

Part B (35 minutes, 15% of grade)
1 Long essay question (chosen from 3 options)

The multiple choice questions appear in sets, with 2–5 questions per set. Each set includes some type of stimulus material, such as primary sources, secondary sources, pictures, maps, or charts. Some of the questions in the set will require you to analyze this stimulus material. The short answer questions involve the explanation of historical examples.

The document-based question requires the analysis and integration of historical data. You will need to assess the material that is given as historical evidence. For the long essay you are given two questions and you can choose which one to answer. This long essay requires you to explain and evaluate an important issue in world history. In doing so you must develop an argument that is supported by historical evidence.

When is the AP World History Exam?

The AP World History Exam for the 2023–2024 school year will be on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 8 a.m. The test is only offered once per year.