EXAM INFORMATION

AP US History - APUSH

No …. really… you HAVE

to read to pass this c

lass!

When is it?

Friday May 8th

8 a.m.

Things to

know

Need to see evidence of your ability to analyze and use evidence

Need to show ability to think about history and support your ideas with evidence

There is NOT a definitive right way to answer the question

Format of the test

• 55 Multiple Choice Questions – 55 minutes – 40%

• 4 Short Answer Questions – 45 minutes – 20%

BREAK

• 1 Document Based Question – 60 minutes – 25%

• 1 Long Essay Question – 35 minutes – 15%

Time Periods Covere

d

Period 1 – 1491 – 1607 – 5%

Period 2 – 1607 – 1754 – 10%

Period 3 – 1754 – 1800 – 12%

Period 4 – 1800 – 1848 – 10%

Period 5 – 1848 – 1877 – 13%

Period 6 – 1865 – 1889 – 13%

Period 7 – 1898 – 1945 – 17%

Period 8 – 1945 – 1980 – 15%

Period 9 – 1980 – Present – 5%

Historical Thinking

Skills Covered

Skill Type Historical Thinking Skill

Chronological Reasoning

1. Historical Causation

2. Patterns of Continuity and Change over Time

3. Periodization

Comparison and Contextualization

4. Comparison

5. Contextualization

Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence

6. Historical Argumentation

7. Appropriate Use of Relevant Historical Evidence

Historical Interpretation and Synthesis

8. Interpretation

9. Synthesis

Historical

Themes Covered

1. Belief Systems 2. America in the World3. Geography and Environment : physical

and human4. Peopling5. Identity6. Politics and Power7. Work, Exchange, and Technology

Beginning on page 20 you can use the link below to make sure you understand the overarching questions and learning objectives for each theme:http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-course-exam-descriptions/ap-us-history-course-and-exam-description.pdf

Multiple Choice

Questions

Designed to test one or more of the historical thinking skills and historical knowledge. Each question is related to a stimulus, with 2 to 65questions . 55 questions in 55 minutes

1. Analyze the stimulus

2. Eliminate wrong answers on the test

3. Read all answers then pick BEST choice

4. Avoid absolutes and watch for EXCEPT and NOT

5. No guessing penalty

• Period 1 - 2 to 3 questions• Period 2 – 5 to 6 questions• Period 3 - 6 to 7 questions• Period 4 – 5 to 6 questions• Period 5 – 7 questions• Period 6 - 7 questions• Period 7 – 9 questions• Period 8 - 8 questions• Period 9 – 2 to 3 questions

Short Answer

Questions3 points each

These do not require a thesis but need to be answered in complete sentences. Two of the four questions will have choices, providing you the opportunity to write what you know best.

Each questions has three tasks and you get one point for each task for a total of three points per question. 4 questions in 45 minutes

• Read each question carefully to understand everything that is being asked.

• Write clear and complete sentences supported with accurate evidence.

• Time is limited, briefly is the key word

Writing a Thesis

You MUST have a thesis for the long essay and the DBQ and it MUST answer the question.

It needs to be in the first paragraph and should take a stand on what event or issues is suggested by the question.

It should be state in one or two sentences and then followed by an organizing list of what you will cover in the answer.

To assure complexity begin thesis with word “although”

Long Essay

Question -6 points

You will have the choice between two long essay questions that focus on the same thinking skill but may apply to different time periods. 35 minutes to answer 1 question

Evaluated on:

• Argumentation• Use of Evidence• Targeted Historical Thinking Skill• Synthesis – in depth examples of this large-scale

phenomena

To be effective:

1. Analyze the question2. Organize the evidence3. Develop a thesis4. Write the introductory paragraph5. Write the supporting paragraphs and conclusion6. Evaluate your essayTo

The DBQ – Doing it Right!7 points

There will be seven documents and you need to provide plausible analysis for all of them. You must include for EACH document one of the following:a) Historical contextb) Intended audiencec) Purpose of the documentd) Point of View

One question in 60 minutes: read and plan for 15 minutes, write for 45 minutes

The documents vary in length and are chosen to illustrate interactions and complexities within the material. It will include charts, graphs, cartoons, and pictures, as well as written materials. Not all documents will have equal weight in supporting your thesis, communicate your awareness of the bias or unreliability of the document or how the document that does not fit your thesis fits into the context that is relevant to the question.

The DBQ– application

in class

Please highlight the following once you are done writing any DBQ in class:

1. in YELLOW highlight the thesis2. in GREEN highlight HIPP for each

document3. in PINK highlight outside information4. in BLUE highlight

CONTEXUALIZATION 5. in ORANGE highlight SYNTHESIS

point

By doing this, it forces you to include each of these points into your DBQ!

The Long Essay –

application in class

Please highlight the following once you are done writing any Long Essay in class:

1. in YELLOW highlight the thesis2. in GREEN highlight the support the

support and evidence for your thesis3. in PINK highlight the correct usage of

the required historical thinking skill4. in BLUE highlight the SYNTHESIS

point

By doing this, it forces you to include each of these points into your Long Essay!

Writing – What do What to

remember

1. Write essays (ALL historical essays, ALWAYS) in third person

2. Use active voice, not passive voice

3. Use specific words

4. Define or explain key terms

5. Communicate awareness of the complexity of history

6. Anticipate counterarguments

7. Remain objective

8. Communicate the organization and logical development of your argument