Estimate your AP World History exam score based on your section performance
1
Multiple Choice Section (40% of Total Score)
2
Short Answer Questions (20% of Total Score)
3
Document-Based Question (25% of Total Score)
4
Long Essay Question (15% of Total Score)
Your Predicted AP Score
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MC Section
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SAQ Section
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DBQ Section
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LEQ Section
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Composite Score
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How the AP World History Score Calculator Works
The AP World History exam is one of the most popular Advanced Placement exams, taken by hundreds of thousands of students each year. Understanding how your raw scores translate to the final 1-5 AP score can help you set realistic goals and identify areas for improvement.
AP World History Exam Structure
The AP World History: Modern exam consists of two main sections:
Section I (60% of total score):
Part A: 55 Multiple Choice Questions (55 minutes) – 40% of score
Part B: 3 Short Answer Questions (40 minutes) – 20% of score
Section II (40% of total score):
Document-Based Question (DBQ) – 25% of score
Long Essay Question (LEQ) – 15% of score
Score Calculation Method
Our calculator uses the official College Board weighting to estimate your composite score:
Multiple Choice: Your correct answers are converted to a weighted score (40% weight)
Short Answer Questions: Each SAQ is worth up to 3 points, totaling 9 points maximum (20% weight)
DBQ: Scored on a 7-point rubric evaluating thesis, contextualization, evidence, and analysis (25% weight)
LEQ: Scored on a 6-point rubric assessing argument development and use of historical evidence (15% weight)
AP Score Conversion Chart
AP Score
Qualification
Composite Score Range
Typical Percentage
5
Extremely Well Qualified
73-100
~73%+
4
Well Qualified
58-72
~58-72%
3
Qualified
42-57
~42-57%
2
Possibly Qualified
27-41
~27-41%
1
No Recommendation
0-26
~0-26%
💡 Pro Tip: The DBQ and LEQ together account for 40% of your total score. Mastering essay writing skills and practicing with released exam prompts can significantly boost your overall score.
Understanding the DBQ Rubric (7 Points)
The Document-Based Question requires you to analyze 7 historical documents and construct an argument:
Thesis (1 point): Historically defensible claim responding to the prompt
Contextualization (1 point): Broader historical context relevant to the prompt
Evidence (3 points): Using documents and outside evidence effectively
Analysis & Reasoning (2 points): Historical reasoning and complex understanding
⚠️ Important Note: This calculator provides an estimate based on typical score distributions. Actual score cutoffs vary each year based on exam difficulty and student performance. Use this as a study planning tool, not a guaranteed prediction.
Tips to Improve Your AP World History Score
Master the time periods: Focus on Units 1-9 covering 1200 CE to present
Practice document analysis: Learn to identify HAPP (Historical context, Audience, Purpose, Point of view)
Learn to contextualize: Always connect specific events to broader historical trends
Use the rubrics: Structure your essays to hit every rubric point
Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections
Frequently Asked Questions
What score do I need for college credit?
Most colleges award credit for scores of 3 or higher, though selective institutions often require a 4 or 5. Check with your target schools for specific requirements.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator uses the official College Board weighting and historical score distributions. While individual exam curves vary, this provides a reliable estimate for study planning.
Can I retake the AP World History exam?
Yes, you can retake any AP exam in subsequent years. Only your highest score is typically reported to colleges.
function calculateAPScore() {
var mcCorrect = parseFloat(document.getElementById("mcCorrect").value);
var mcTotal = parseFloat(document.getElementById("mcTotal").value);
var saq1 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("saq1").value);
var saq2 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("saq2").value);
var saq3 = parseFloat(document.getElementById("saq3").value);
var dbqScore = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dbqScore").value);
var leqScore = parseFloat(document.getElementById("leqScore").value);
if (isNaN(mcCorrect) || isNaN(mcTotal) || isNaN(saq1) || isNaN(saq2) || isNaN(saq3) || isNaN(dbqScore) || isNaN(leqScore)) {
alert("Please fill in all fields with valid numbers.");
return;
}
if (mcCorrect mcTotal) {
alert("Multiple choice correct answers must be between 0 and " + mcTotal);
return;
}
if (saq1 3 || saq2 3 || saq3 3) {
alert("SAQ scores must be between 0 and 3.");
return;
}
if (dbqScore 7) {
alert("DBQ score must be between 0 and 7.");
return;
}
if (leqScore 6) {
alert("LEQ score must be between 0 and 6.");
return;
}
var mcPercentage = (mcCorrect / mcTotal) * 100;
var mcWeighted = mcPercentage * 0.40;
var saqTotal = saq1 + saq2 + saq3;
var saqPercentage = (saqTotal / 9) * 100;
var saqWeighted = saqPercentage * 0.20;
var dbqPercentage = (dbqScore / 7) * 100;
var dbqWeighted = dbqPercentage * 0.25;
var leqPercentage = (leqScore / 6) * 100;
var leqWeighted = leqPercentage * 0.15;
var compositeScore = mcWeighted + saqWeighted + dbqWeighted + leqWeighted;
var apScore;
var scoreDescription;
if (compositeScore >= 73) {
apScore = 5;
scoreDescription = "Extremely Well Qualified – Excellent work! You're likely to earn college credit at most institutions.";
} else if (compositeScore >= 58) {
apScore = 4;
scoreDescription = "Well Qualified – Great performance! Many colleges will grant credit or placement.";
} else if (compositeScore >= 42) {
apScore = 3;
scoreDescription = "Qualified – Solid score! You may receive credit at many colleges.";
} else if (compositeScore >= 27) {
apScore = 2;
scoreDescription = "Possibly Qualified – Consider additional preparation for future attempts.";
} else {
apScore = 1;
scoreDescription = "No Recommendation – Focus on building foundational knowledge for improvement.";
}
document.getElementById("apScore").textContent = apScore;
document.getElementById("scoreDescription").textContent = scoreDescription;
document.getElementById("mcPoints").textContent = mcWeighted.toFixed(1) + "/40";
document.getElementById("saqPoints").textContent = saqWeighted.toFixed(1) + "/20";
document.getElementById("dbqPoints").textContent = dbqWeighted.toFixed(1) + "/25";
document.getElementById("leqPoints").textContent = leqWeighted.toFixed(1) + "/15";
document.getElementById("compositeScore").textContent = compositeScore.toFixed(1) + "/100";
document.getElementById("resultSection").classList.add("show");
document.getElementById("resultSection").scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" });
}