Quick guide to the 2020 AP US History exam | AP US History | Khan Academy

TL;DR

The 2020 AP U.S. History Exam has a new format, with only one document-based question (DBQ) covering Periods 3 through 7. It is open book, but cheating will be heavily monitored.

Transcript

• [Kim] Hey historians. Kim from Khan Academy here with a quick guide to the 2020 AP U.S. History exam. I'm gonna go over the details about the new exam format and how the scoring system has changed. Okay, here's what you need to know. First, the exam is taking place on Friday, May 15th, 2020. The time depends on where you live. So, you'll get all ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 The 2020 AP U.S. History Exam will take place on May 15th and has a modified format with a single document-based question.
• 📔 The exam covers Periods 3 through 7 of U.S. history, from 1754 to 1945.
• ❓ Cheating will be strictly monitored, with plagiarism detection software used.
• 🙂 The scoring system has changed slightly, with up to 10 points available for various aspects such as thesis, contextualization, evidence, analysis, and complex understanding of the topic.
• 📖 The exam is open book, but collaboration with other students is prohibited.
• 🧑‍🎓 Students can receive assistance for accessing technology if needed.
• 💯 Colleges are expected to accept this year's AP scores as usual.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long will the 2020 AP U.S. History Exam be?

The exam will have a total duration of 45 minutes, with an additional five minutes for uploading.

Q: What can be used to answer the DBQ in the exam?

Students can either type their response on a computer or write it by hand on paper and then upload pictures of their essay using a smartphone.

Q: What happens if a student needs help accessing technology for the exam?

Students can reach out to the College Board for assistance in accessing the necessary technology in order to take and submit the exam.

Q: Will the 2020 AP U.S. History Exam be more lenient regarding evidence points?

Yes, there are fewer documents in the DBQ, with one point awarded for accurately describing two documents and using them to support the argument. Additional points can be earned for accurately describing and using four documents.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The 2020 AP U.S. History Exam will take place on May 15th, 2020, with different timing for different regions. It will still be scored between one and five, with colleges deciding on credits awarded.

• The exam format has changed, consisting of a single DBQ instead of multiple choice, short answer, or long essay questions. There will be fewer documents, and the exam will cover Periods 3 through 7 of U.S. history.

• The exam is open book, allowing the use of books and notes. However, plagiarism will be checked using software, and collaboration with other students is not allowed.