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1. Multiple Choice: Time and the Test Booklet
You have 55 minutes to answer 80
multiple choice questions which gives you about 40 seconds per question. Therefore, you need to use your time wisely answering
the questions you know best first and eliminating obvious wrong answers as you go through. Don’t be afraid to write
on your test booklet to keep track. Mark through the answers you know are wrong. Clearly mark when you skip a question so
you can return to it quickly before the end of the test.
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2. Multiple Choice:
Guessing and Points Deducted
Remember, an additional 1/4 of a point is deducted on the test for each wrong answer. For
example, if you leave a question blank, your score is impacted by 1 point. However, if you make an incorrect guess, your score
is reduced by 1 1/4 points. If you cannot eliminate any answers, it is better to leave the question blank. That being said,
you should try not to leave more than 4–6 questions blank.
3. Multiple Choice: Reading the Questions and Answers
Look for key words in questions such as EXCEPT, NOT, or ALWAYS. The wording of answers is important too. In the AP US
History exam, you are choosing the best answer which may mean that several answers could appear to be correct.
4. General
Essay Writing: Voice and Thesis
Be sure to write with “voice” in your essay. In other words, pretend
that you have some authority on the subject. Make sure to take a stand in your answer and not be wishy-washy. This stand should
be stated immediately through your thesis which is one or two sentences that directly answer the question. The rest of the
essay should then support your thesis.
5. General Essay Writing: Data Dumping
Be sure that your essay includes historical
facts to prove your thesis. However, “data dumping” will not gain you any extra points and can result
in a lowering of your score. It also runs the risk of you including incorrect data which would hurt your overall score.
6.
Standard Essay: Question Choice
Avoid broad survey questions. They appear easy because you know a lot of information about
them. However, they are often the most challenging because of the breadth required to answer them effectively. Writing a provable
thesis can pose real problems for these types of questions.
7. DBQ: Reading the Question
Make sure to answer all parts
of the question. It is important to spend some time going over each part and it may even help to reword the question.
8.
DBQ: Examining the Documents
Carefully examine each document. Make a judgment concerning point of view and the possible
origin of each document. Don’t be afraid to underline key points and make relevant historical notes in the margin.
9. DBQ: Using the Documents
DBQ: Do not try to use all of the documents in your DBQ answer. In fact, it is better
to effectively use less than to ineffectively use more. A good rule of thumb is to use 4 documents well to prove your thesis.
10. General AP Exam Tip: Eating and Sleeping
Eat a healthy dinner the night before before, get a good night’s
sleep, and eat breakfast the morning of the exam.
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