AP World History: Modern Score Calculator
How is the AP World History Exam Scored?
The AP World History: Modern exam consists of four distinct sections, each weighted differently to determine your final composite score. Understanding this weighting is crucial for prioritizing your study time effectively. Our calculator uses the official College Board weighting to estimate your final score from 1 to 5.
| Section | Number of Questions | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Section I: Multiple Choice (MCQ) | 55 Questions | 40% |
| Section I: Short Answer (SAQ) | 3 Questions (3 pts each) | 20% |
| Section II: Document-Based (DBQ) | 1 Question (7 pts rubric) | 25% |
| Section II: Long Essay (LEQ) | 1 Question (6 pts rubric) | 15% |
Scoring Breakdown and Rubrics
Multiple Choice Questions (40%): You have 55 minutes to answer 55 stimulus-based questions. There is no penalty for guessing, so always fill in every bubble. To score a 5, students typically aim for at least 40-45 correct answers.
Short Answer Questions (20%): You answer three SAQs. Each is worth 3 points (Total 9). These require you to identify and explain historical developments or processes based on primary or secondary sources.
The DBQ (25%): This is the most heavily weighted single writing task. The 7-point rubric includes: Thesis (1), Contextualization (1), Evidence from Documents (2), Outside Evidence (1), Sourcing (1), and Complexity (1).
The LEQ (15%): You choose one of three prompts. The 6-point rubric covers: Thesis (1), Contextualization (1), Evidence (2), and Historical Reasoning/Complexity (2).
Example Score Scenarios
If you perform consistently across all sections, here is what a "4" or "5" might look like:
- Score 5 Scenario: 45/55 MCQ, 7/9 SAQ, 6/7 DBQ, 5/6 LEQ. (Approx 82%)
- Score 4 Scenario: 38/55 MCQ, 6/9 SAQ, 5/7 DBQ, 4/6 LEQ. (Approx 68%)
- Score 3 Scenario: 30/55 MCQ, 4/9 SAQ, 4/7 DBQ, 3/6 LEQ. (Approx 53%)