(^4) › STEP 1. Set Up Your Study Program
Background Information
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program is overseen by an organization known as the
College Board, which is involved in many facets of the college admissions process. The
program offers highly motivated high school students the opportunity to take college-level
courses while still in high school and the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing
at a college or university by taking the Advanced Placement exams.Frequently Asked Questions About the AP European
History Exam
Why Take the AP European History Exam?
Most students take the exam with the hope of earning college credit. Most schools will give
you college credit for a score of 4 or 5, and some will give credit for a 3. However, the poli-
cies of individual colleges and universities vary, so you should check with the schools you are
interested in attending for their specific policies. The College Board maintains a website that
gives you information about all universities’ credit policies for all exams: https://apstudent
.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement.
One advantage of having college credit in European history is that you are one class
closer to graduation, but there are a couple of other good reasons to take the exam:
• First, getting college credit for AP European history means that you will be able to opt
out of either a required introductory course in European history or an elective course.
Either way, you will have greater flexibility in choosing your courses, and you will be able
move on to the more advanced and specific courses (either in history or in some other
field) that interest you. Often, arriving at college with credits in your back pocket makes
it possible for you to take courses more pertinent to your major, to complete a double
major, or to take time to study abroad without worrying about losing credit hours.
• Second, having AP credit on your transcript can increase your chances of getting into the
school you want because it tells college admissions officers that you are a serious student
who has some experience with college-level work. The director of admissions at a select
university put it this way: No matter the score on the AP exam, a student’s having taken
the exam, and measuring himself/herself against national guidelines, speaks well of him
or her.Do I Have to Take an AP European History Class to Take the Exam?
No. Taking an AP European History class at your high school is a great way to prepare
for the exam, but it is not required. The College Board simply urges students to study the
kinds of skills and subjects outlined in the AP European History Course Description. The
Course Description is available online from the College Board (www.collegeboard.org).
The McGraw-Hill Education five-step program is based on both the College Board Course
Description for AP European History and on the Exam Guidelines, so working through
this guide will help you to develop the relevant skills and to familiarize yourself with the
relevant subject material.Who Writes and Grades the AP European History Exam?
The exam is written by a team of college and high school history instructors called the
AP European History Test Development Committee. The Committee is constantly evaluat-
ing the test and field-testing potential questions. The exam is graded by a much larger group01_Bartolini_Ch01_001-006.indd 4 12/04/18 11:28 AM