About AP
"AP® enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high
school. Through more than 30 courses, each culminating in a rigorous
exam, AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the
opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both. Taking AP
courses also demonstrates to college admission officers that students have
sought out the most rigorous course work available to them.
Each AP course is modeled upon a comparable college course, and college
and university faculty play a vital role in ensuring that AP courses align
with college-level standards. Talented and dedicated AP teachers help AP
students in classrooms around the world develop and apply the content
knowledge and skills they will need later in college.
Each AP course concludes with a college-level assessment developed and
scored by college and university faculty, as well as experienced AP teachers.
AP Exams are an essential part of the AP experience, enabling students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level course work. More than 90
percent of four-year colleges and universities in the United States grant
students credit, placement or both on the basis of successful AP Exam
scores. Universities in more than 60 countries recognize AP Exam scores
in the admission process and/or award credit and placement for qualifying
scores. Visit www.collegeboard.com/ap/credit to view AP credit and
placement policies at more than 1,000 colleges and universities."
For a full understanding to AP World History visit the College Board website.
Textbook
Textbooks will be available online through student portals.
Theme 1: Interaction Between Humans and the Environment
Theme 2: Development and Interaction of Cultures
Theme 3: State-Building, Expansion, and Conflict
Theme 4: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
Theme 5: Development and Transformation of Social Structures
Theme 1: Interaction Between Humans and the Environment
Theme 2: Development and Interaction of Cultures
Theme 3: State-Building, Expansion, and Conflict
Theme 4: Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems
Theme 5: Development and Transformation of Social Structures
The Exam
The exam is approximately three hours and 5 minutes long and has two parts — multiple choice and free response. Each section is worth 50% of the final exam grade.
Section I: Multiple Choice — 70 questions; 55 minutes
The portion of questions covering each topic and time period is:
Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.
Section II: Free Response — 3 questions; 2 hours plus a mandatory 10 minute reading period
The three essays are weighted equally.
Section I: Multiple Choice — 70 questions; 55 minutes
The portion of questions covering each topic and time period is:
- Technological and Environmental Transformations to c. 600 BCE (5%)
- Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies c. 600 BCE to c. 600 CE (15%)
- Regional and Transregional Interactions c. 600 CE to c. 1450 (20%)
- Global Interactions c. 1450 to c. 1750 (20%)
- Industrialization and Global Integration c. 1750 to c. 1900 (20%)
- Accelerating Global Change and Realignments c. 1900 to Present (20%)
Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.
Section II: Free Response — 3 questions; 2 hours plus a mandatory 10 minute reading period
The three essays are weighted equally.
- Part A: 1 Document Based Question (DBQ); 40 minutes
- This section tests your ability to analyze source materials and develop an essay that integrates your analysis of four to ten given documents with your treatment of a topic. Comparative topics on the major themes will provide one of the focuses of the DBQs, including comparative questions about different societies in situations of mutual contact. Learn more about answering document-based questions.
- Part B: Continuity and Change-Over-Time Essay; 40 minutes
- This question focuses on large global issues such as technology, trade, culture, migrations, or biological developments. It covers at least one of the periods in the course outline and one or more cultural areas.
- Part C: Comparative Essay; 40 minutes
- This question focuses on developments in two or more societies, and their interactions with each other or with major themes or events (e.g., culture, trade, religion, technology, migrations).