AP® World History: Modern Scoring Guide

Section I scoring pattern

As you may already know, Section I of the APWH exam consists of MCQs and SAQs. Each of these question types is graded under a specific rubric. Let’s learn more about the AP World History grading scale:

• Part A: Multiple-choice question

  For the multiple-choice questions, you get one point for each correct answer, and the maximum number of points you can earn on this part is 55.

  Keep in mind that this section accounts for 40% of your overall score. Incorrect answers do not deduct points, so be sure to fill in every answer bubble.

• Part B: Short answer question

  Each short-answer question (labeled A-C) is worth 3 points. So, you can earn a total of 9 raw points for your responses to the three short-answer questions. This part accounts for 20% of your APWH score.

Section II scoring pattern

Section II includes a DBQ and an LEQ that require you to write free-response answers to the questions prompted. Both these question types are graded on how you establish your answer based on a line of reasoning, context, and evidence. Let’s learn more about the AP World History grading scale for the DBQs and LEQs:

• Document-based question

  25% of your final grade will be based on your performance on the DBQ, which is evaluated on the 7-point rubric shown below. The following table will give you a better idea of how the raw scores in this section are distributed.

  Reporting Category	Points	Scoring Criteria
  Thesis/Claim (0–1 point)	1 pt	Responds with a historically defensible thesis or claim and a line of reasoning.
  Contextualization (0–1 point)	1 pt	Gives a broad historical context for the prompt.
  Evidence (0–3 points)	Evidence from the documents 1 pt + Evidence beyond the documents 1 pt	If your response addresses the prompt by using at least three documents +You need to use at least one piece of historical evidence (beyond the documents) to argue about the prompt
  	Evidence from the documents 2 pts + Evidence beyond the documents 1 pt	If your answer supports an argument with six documents +You need to use at least one piece of historical evidence (beyond the documents) to argue about the prompt
  Analysis and Reasoning (0–2 points)	Sourcing 1pt	Respond to the prompt using at least three documents to explain why a document's viewpoint, purpose, historical context, or audience is relevant to an argument.
  	Complexity 1pt	To answer this prompt, use evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that answers the question.

• Long essay question

  15% of your final grade is based on the LEQ, which is graded using the 6-point rubric explained below. You can see how the raw scores for this section are distributed in the table below.

  Reporting Category	Points	Scoring Criteria
  Thesis/Claim (0–1 point)	1 pt	Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis or claim.
  Contextualization (0–1 point)	1 pt	Provides relevant historical context.
  Evidence (0–2 points)	1 pt	Provides prompt-related evidence.
  	2 pts	Responds to the prompt with specific, relevant evidence.
  Analysis and Reasoning (0–2 points)	1 pt	Uses historical reasoning (e.g. comparison, causation, continuity, and change) to address the prompt.
  	2 pts	Uses evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that answers the question.

Craft a solid thesis and develop strong arguments with the help of our Study Guide, specifically designed for the AP World History exam.