What Is the Difference Between AP World History and AP European History?

Are you thinking of taking either AP World History or AP European History and wondering what the difference is? While both courses cover the history of different regions, there are distinct differences between them. In this article, we will explore the key differences between the two AP history courses.

Course Material

The main difference between AP World History and AP European History lies in the course material. AP World History covers a broad range of historical events and themes that span across all regions of the world.

It includes topics like ancient civilizations, medieval Europe, colonialism, and modern globalization. In contrast, AP European History focuses solely on European history, starting from the Renaissance period to modern times.

Exam Format

Another key difference between these two courses is their exam format. The AP World History exam consists of two sections: multiple-choice questions and free-response questions. The multiple-choice section covers various historical topics from different regions around the world while the free-response section requires students to analyze primary sources and write essays on specific topics related to world history.

On the other hand, the AP European History exam also consists of two sections: multiple-choice questions and free-response questions. However, unlike in AP World History where students answer free-response questions on different regions around the world, in AP European History, students answer free-response questions solely based on European history.

Skills Required

Both courses require similar skills such as critical thinking, analysis of primary sources and historical texts, understanding context and causation. However, students taking AP World History need to have stronger skills in comparing various regions’ histories as well as interpreting how global events impacted different parts of the world while students taking AP European history need to focus more on interpreting events in a more concentrated geographical region.

Conclusion

In summary, while both courses share some similarities such as critical thinking skills required for success in the course, there are key differences between AP World History and AP European History. AP World History covers a broader range of historical events and regions while AP European History focuses solely on European history.

The exam format also differs between the two courses, with different free-response question requirements. Ultimately, choosing which course to take depends on your interests and strengths in history.