This section consists of 55 questions. Each question has four possible answers. The questions are
arranged in sets of two to four questions per set. Each set begins with a written or visual stimulus. It is
recommended that you use 55 minutes of the total 105 minutes you are given for Section I of the
exam.
The College Board annually publishes material on the breakdown of questions on the multiple-
choice test. According to their most recently published information, the multiple-choice section is
broken down as follows:
Periodization:
• 5 percent of the questions deal with the period to c. 600 BCE.
• 15 percent of the questions deal with the period c. 600 BCE to c. 600 CE.
• 20 percent of the questions deal with the period c. 600 CE to c. 1450.
• 20 percent of the questions deal with the period c. 1450 to c. 1750.
• 20 percent of the questions deal with the period c. 1750 to c. 1900.
• 20 percent of the questions deal with the period c. 1900 to the present.
The information provided above is extremely valuable as you prepare for the multiple-choice
section of the test. As you study, you should obviously concentrate your efforts on the periods since
600 CE.
For DBQs, group your information and then analyze all the details. Find what will actually be
useful for your essay. Be clear, concise, and to the point.—AP studentShort-Answer Questions
The AP exam contains four short-answer questions. Each question will have parts A and B, and some
questions will also contain a part C. All questions, regardless of the number of parts, are worth the
same number of points. At least two of the four questions will contain historical texts, maps,
drawings, photos, charts, or some other historical item that you must interpret and evaluate. It is
recommended that you use 50 minutes of the 105 total minutes you are given for Section I to work on
your responses to the short-answer questions.
Essay Questions
During the remaining 90 minutes of the test you will be asked to write two essays: a document-based
essay question (DBQ) and a long essay question. The essays will be based on the broad themes that
form the background of the AP World History course. According to the College Board description of
the AP World History course, these themes include: