The Advanced Placement (AP) World History Exam is a challenging exam that assesses a student’s knowledge of world history from prehistory to the present day. It is taken by high school students in the United States and around the world, with the aim of earning college credit or advanced placement in college-level courses.
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and an essay section. But what is the highest score on the AP World History Exam?
The highest score on the AP World History Exam
The highest possible score on the AP World History Exam is 5. This means that a student must earn at least 60% of the points available to achieve this score. The exam consists of two sections: Section I, which includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions, and Section II, which includes an essay section.
Scoring breakdown for each section
Section I accounts for 50% of a student’s total exam score and consists of 55 multiple-choice questions and four short-answer questions. The multiple-choice questions are worth one point each, while the short-answer questions are worth three points each. Students have 55 minutes to complete this section.
Section II accounts for 50% of a student’s total exam score and consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A includes one document-based question (DBQ) and one long essay question (LEQ).
Part B includes one comparative essay question (CEQ). Each part is worth 25% of a student’s total exam score. Students have two hours and ten minutes to complete this section.
- DBQ: This question requires students to analyze primary sources in order to develop an argumentative essay based on historical evidence.
- LEQ: This question requires students to write an essay that focuses on a specific historical period or theme.
- CEQ: This question requires students to compare and contrast two different historical periods or themes.
How is the exam scored?
After the exam is taken, it is sent to the College Board for scoring. The College Board uses a process called equating to ensure that scores are comparable from year to year. Equating takes into account differences in difficulty between exams, so that students who take a more difficult exam are not penalized.
Each section of the AP World History Exam is scored on a scale of 1-5. The scores are then combined, with Section I accounting for 50% of the total score and Section II accounting for the other 50%.
What does each score mean?
- A score of 5 indicates that a student is extremely well-prepared for college-level coursework in world history.
- A score of 4 indicates that a student is well-prepared for college-level coursework in world history.
- A score of 3 indicates that a student is qualified to take college-level coursework in world history, but may struggle with more advanced material.
- A score of 2 indicates that a student may be able to handle introductory-level college coursework in world history, but will likely struggle with more advanced material.
- A score of 1 indicates that a student is not prepared for college-level coursework in world history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the highest possible score on the AP World History Exam is 5. Students must earn at least 60% of available points to achieve this score.
The exam consists of two sections: Section I and Section II, each accounting for 50% of a student’s total exam score. It is important to note that while achieving a high score on the AP World History Exam can be challenging, it can also be a valuable and rewarding experience for students who are passionate about history and want to prepare themselves for college-level coursework.