AP US History - Score Calculator: How to Predict Your APUSH Exam Score
How the AP US History Score Calculator Works
The AP US History (APUSH) exam consists of two sections:
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Multiple-Choice and Short Answer Questions (MCQs & SAQs)
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Free-Response Questions (FRQs), including the DBQ and LEQ
Each section is worth a portion of your final AP score. Our score calculator estimates your final score by weighing each section according to the College Board's scoring rubric.
APUSH Score Breakdown:
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Section 1: Multiple Choice (40% of total score)
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55 Questions
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1 point per correct answer (No penalty for wrong answers)
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Section 1: Short Answer (20% of total score)
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3 Questions (worth 3-4 points each)
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Section 2: Document-Based Question (DBQ) (25% of total score)
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Worth 7 points total
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Section 2: Long Essay Question (LEQ) (15% of total score)
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Worth 6 points total
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By inputting your raw scores from practice tests, the APUSH Score Calculator estimates your final AP score (1-5).
What Score Do You Need for a 3, 4, or 5 on APUSH?
APUSH Score Percentages to AP Grades:
| Raw Score Percentage | Estimated AP Score |
|---|---|
| 70%+ | 5 |
| 60-69% | 4 |
| 45-59% | 3 |
| 35-44% | 2 |
| Below 35% | 1 |
Is a 70% a 5 on the AP Exam?
Yes, historically, a 70% or higher has been equivalent to a score of 5 on the APUSH exam. However, the curve varies yearly based on exam difficulty and student performance.
What Is a 40% on the AP Exam?
A 40% raw score typically translates to a 2 or low 3, depending on the difficulty of that year's exam.
What Is a 60% on the AP Exam?
A 60% raw score usually results in a score of 4, which is above the national average.
What Percent Is a 5 on AP World History?
While AP World History has a similar scoring structure to AP US History, a 5 typically requires a raw score of 70-75%, depending on exam difficulty.
How to Use Your APUSH Score Calculator Results to Improve
If your predicted score isn’t where you want it to be, here are some strategies to improve:
1. Master the Multiple-Choice Section
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Use process of elimination to narrow down choices.
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Answer every question (no penalty for wrong answers!).
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Practice with past APUSH multiple-choice questions.
2. Improve Your SAQs (Short Answer Questions)
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Be concise, but answer all parts of the question.
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Support answers with historical evidence.
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Use cause and effect reasoning when relevant.
3. Perfect Your DBQ (Document-Based Question)
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Practice grouping and analyzing documents.
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Use outside evidence for extra points.
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Follow a strong thesis structure (claim + reasoning).
4. Write Strong LEQs (Long Essay Questions)
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Address all parts of the question.
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Use a clear thesis and topic sentences.
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Incorporate historical context and continuity/change over time.
Conclusion: Predict and Improve Your APUSH Score
Using an AP US History score calculator helps you estimate your final AP grade and identify areas to improve. If you're scoring below a 3, focus on multiple-choice practice and writing structure. If you’re aiming for a 5, hone in on historical argumentation and document analysis.
Want to improve your score? Check out our top APUSH study resources here!
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