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Ultimate Guide to the AP European History Exam

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The AP European History exam is one of the hardest and least-common AP exams taken. In 2019, only about 100,000 of the more than 5 million students taking AP exams took the AP European History exam. Only 11.7% of those AP Euro test-takers scored a 5.

If you’re planning to take the AP European History exam—whether you have taken the class or self-studied—read on for a breakdown of the test and CollegeVine’s advice for how to best prepare for it.

When is the AP European History Exam?

The 2020 AP European History exam takes place on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 12 pm. For a comprehensive list of dates and times for all of the 2020 AP exams, check out our blog post 2020 AP Exam Schedule: Everything You Need to Know .

What Does the AP European History Exam Cover?

The AP European History course investigates the content of European history for significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in four historical periods. In this class, you’ll develop your ability to analyze historical data, assess historical evidence, and analyze significant issues in European history. The course content focuses on events from 1450 to the present and provides seven themes for framing connections over time and between places:

• Interaction of Europe and the world
• Economic and commercial developments
• Cultural and intellectual developments
• States and other institutions of power
• Social organization and development
• National and European identity
• Technological and scientific innovation

In 2015, the AP European History course was redesigned. Though the course content remains largely the same, it is now more focused towards clear learning objectives for the exam. The exam itself has also changed. Starting with the 2016 test, there are now fewer long essays and multiple-choice questions, and short-answer questions were added for the first time. It is important to remember when preparing for the exam to use material produced in 2015 or later, as older material will be outdated.    

AP European History Exam Course Content

The AP European History course consists of nine units, covering the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped Europe from 1450 through the present. Below is a look at how the units break down and what percentage of the exam they represent. 

AP European History Exam Content

The AP European History exam is one of the longer AP exams, clocking in at three hours and 15 minutes. It is comprised of the following parts: 

Section 1: Multiple Choice 

55 minutes | 55 questions | 40% of score

Section 1 takes 55 minutes, contains 55 multiple-choice questions, and accounts for 40% of your total score. Questions generally come in sets of three or four based on the same stimulus, and include one or more sources such as text, images, charts, and maps. 

Section 2: Short-Answer Questions

40 minutes | 3 questions | 20% of score

Section 2 contains three short-answer questions, takes 40 minutes, and accounts for 20% of your total score. 

• The first short-answer question focuses on historical developments or processes from 1600-2001 and includes one or two secondary sources.
• The second short-answer question shares the same focus and time period as the first question—historical developments or processes occurring between 1600-2001—but includes one primary source. 
• The final short-answer question gives test-takers a choice to answer one of three questions. The three questions all focus on the historical developments and processes of particular time periods—1450 to 1648, 1815 to 1914, 1914 to today—and no source material is included. 

In their short answers, students are tasked with analyzing the sources along with the developments described in them, then putting those occurrences in context and making connections between them. 

Section 3: Free Response 

1 hour 40 minutes | 2 questions | 40% of score

The last section features two free-response questions—one is a document-based question (DBQ) which you have an hour to answer and is worth 25% of your score, the other is a long essay that you’re given 40 minutes to write and is worth 15% of your score. 

Document-Based Question: The document-based question is focused on a historical development that happened between 1600 and 2001. Test takers are presented with seven documents giving various perspectives on the event and are tasked with constructing an argument using the documents AND prior knowledge to form and support an argument. 

Long Essay: Test takers are given the choice of three questions, all of them assessing the ability to develop and support arguments based on evidence, but focusing on different historical time periods. The three time periods are: 1450 to 1700, 1648 to 1914, and 1815 to 2001. 

AP European History Score Distribution, Average Score, and Passing Rate

The AP European History exam is a tough one to master, though many students do well enough to pass (score of 3 or higher). In 2019, 58.1% of students who took the AP European History exam received a score of 3 or higher. Of these, only 11.7% of students received the top score of 5 with another 20.5% scoring a 4. Roughly a quarter (25.9%) of all test-takers received a score of 3, contributing greatly to the exam’s pass rate. About a third (29.2%) of students received a score of 2, while 12.5% of test-takers scored a 1 on the exam. If you’re curious about other score distributions, see our post Easiest and Hardest AP Exams .

Keep in mind that policies regarding credit and advanced standing based on AP scores vary widely from college to college. Be sure to check whether the schools on your list accept AP exam credit, and if so, what scores they require.

Best Ways to Study for the AP European History Exam

Step 1: assess your skills.

Take a practice test to assess your initial knowledge of the material. The College Board AP European History website provides a number of sample test questions and exam tips, and it also has a practice AP European History exam available. There are numerous other free practice tests offered on the web; for example, Varsity Tutors has a multitude of free AP European History Diagnostic Tests on their website. High School Test Prep also hosts a handful of free AP European History tests on their website. 

Step 2: Study the Material

The AP European History exam tests your knowledge of significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in European history in four historical periods from 1450 to present. 

Learn to Think Like a Historian: You’ll need to learn the thinking skills and methods used by historians to study the past. These include analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and argumentation. 

Go to the Source: The College Board provides a series of useful videos that give an overview of curricular framework and exam format. You should also review the College Board’s Exam Tips .

Ask an Expert: For a more specific idea of where to focus your studying, you should consider using an updated formal study guide. Both the Princeton Review’s Cracking the AP European History Exam, 2020 Edition: Proven Techniques to Help You Score a 5 and Barron’s AP European History, 8th Edition are effective and popular resources. Of these, Barron’s is regarded as the stronger option for long-term studying of the material, while the Princeton Review is often regarded as a better option for test practice (though some users say that its practice tests in the past have been more difficult than the actual AP exam).

There are also a number of free study resources available online. Many AP teachers have posted complete study guides—such as this AP European History study guide from Mrs. Newmark , a teacher at the Raleigh Charter High School in Raleigh, North Carolina—review sheets, and test questions. 

Try using a study app: Finally, another convenient way to study is to use one of the recently-developed apps for AP exams. These can be free or cost a small fee, and are an easy way to quiz yourself on-the-go. Make sure you read reviews before choosing one—their quality varies widely. Varsity Tutors also offers a free app to help you study for the AP Euro exam .

Step 3: Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

Once you have your theory down, test it out by practicing multiple-choice questions. You can find these in most study guides or through online searches. You could also try taking the multiple-choice section of another practice exam.

The College Board Course Description includes many practice multiple-choice questions along with explanations of their answers. There are also many practice questions available in any commercial study guide. As you go through these, try to keep track of which areas are still tripping you up, and go back over this theory again. Focus on understanding what each question is asking and keep a running list of any concepts that are still unfamiliar.

Step 4: Practice Free-Response Questions

The AP European History exam is different from many AP exams in that it consists of five free-response questions of varying length and content. To be successful in these sections, you should know what to expect from each question. If you are already familiar with the free-response portions of the AP U.S. History or AP World History exams, you will find these similar in format.

Short Answer: The first four free-response questions are considered “short answer” and you will be allowed 40 minutes to complete them all. These questions tend to have multiple parts, with each being very specific and limited in scope. In this section, you will have an opportunity to explain the historical examples you know best. You will probably be asked to interpret a graph or figure, compare and contrast the effects of different cultural approaches from specific time periods, or list distinct precipitating factors of significant historical events. You should be able to answer each part of these questions in a short, succinct paragraph.

Document-Based Question : The second free-response section is a document-based question and you will have one hour to complete it. This one question alone is worth 25% of your total exam score. To master it, you need to carefully read the question, practice active reading skills while reviewing the documents, and make a strong outline before you begin to write. In this section, you will assess written, quantitative, or visual materials as historical evidence. Be sure to completely review the outline of requirements provided before the prompt, and check them off as you are outlining and writing your response. 

• Scoring: It’s also beneficial to understand the rubric used to score document-based questions before formulating answers. Document-based questions are scored on a scale of 0 to 7, with points awarded for: Thesis/Claim (0 to 1 point), Contextualization (0 to 1 point), Evidence (0 to 3 points), and Analysis/Reasoning (0 to 2 points).

Long Essay: The last free-response section is a long-essay response, which you will have 40 minutes to complete. It is worth 15% of your total exam score. This section gives you the choice of three separate prompts—remember that you only need to answer one of them! As in the document-based question above, you will be provided with a rough outline of key considerations for the scoring of your work. These include a strong thesis, application of your historical thinking skills, ability to support your argument with specific examples, and the synthesis of your response into a greater historical context. You will be asked to explain and analyze significant issues in world history and develop an argument supported by your analysis of historical evidence.

• Scoring: Once again, understanding the scoring rubric is beneficial. The long essay is scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 6. Points are awarded for Thesis/Claim (0 to 1 point), Contextualization (0 to 1 point), Evidence (0 to 2 points), and Analysis/Reasoning (0 to 2 points). This YouTube video explains the AP Euro DBQ rubric and gives concrete examples of what to do and what NOT to do.

As you complete the document-based question and long essay, make sure to keep an eye on the time. Though you will be reminded of time remaining by the exam proctor, you will not be forced to move on to another question once the amount of time recommended for the first question has passed. Make sure you stay on track to address each section of every question. No points can be awarded for answer sections left completely blank when time runs out.

For a more in-depth explanation of how the document-based section and long-essay section are scored, review the College Board’s scoring rubric . To read descriptions of the directives commonly found on this section, visit the Common Directives page. To see authentic examples of past student responses and scoring explanations for each, visit the College Board’s Student Samples, Scoring Guidelines, and Commentary .

Step 5: Take Another Practice Test

As you did at the very beginning of your studying, take a practice test to evaluate your progress. You should see a steady progression of knowledge, and it’s likely that you will see patterns identifying which areas have improved the most and which areas still need improvement.

If you have time, repeat each of the steps above to incrementally increase your score.

Step 6: Exam Day Specifics

If you’re taking the AP course associated with this exam, your teacher will walk you through how to register. If you’re self-studying, check out our blog post How to Self-Register for AP Exams .

For information about what to bring to the exam, see our post What Should I Bring to My AP Exam (And What Should I Definitely Leave at Home)?

History enthusiasts will love CollegeVine’s free chancing engine. We use past performance (grades, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities) to predict future outcomes—in this case, your chance of acceptance into college. Try our chancing engine today to see your odds of getting into over 500 colleges and universities. 

Looking for more information on AP exams and courses? If so, check out these other excellent posts: 

2020 AP Exam Schedule

How Long is Each AP Exam?

Easiest and Hardest AP Exams

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Advanced Placement

The Complete Guide to AP European History Exam [Updated for AP 2024 Exam]

Written by Apoorvaa Agarwal

Updated on: 27 May 2024

AP European History is one of the popular AP courses offered by the College Board. In 2022, over 80,152 students took the AP European History exam.

In this AP European History Guide, we will discuss the format of the AP European History exam, the topics covered, and effective ways to study for the exam. We will also provide some resources that can help you prepare for the exam. So, let’s get started!

What is on the AP European History exam?

The AP European History exam covers a wide range of topics related to the history of Europe from the Renaissance to the present day . These topics include the Renaissance and exploration, the Age of Reformation, absolutism and constitutionalism, scientific, philosophical, and political developments, conflict, crisis, and reaction in the late 18th century, industrialization and its effects, 19th-century perspectives and political developments, 20th-century global conflicts, and the Cold War and contemporary Europe. 

The exam also covers political development, social change, economic growth, cultural diversity, and environmental change.

The AP European History Exam format includes two sections as below:

Now let’s understand everything about the AP European History exam like duration, structure, score distribution, etc.

How long is the AP European History exam?

The AP European History Exam is 3 hours 15 minutes long and is divided into two sections. Section one is further divided into two parts: Part A is multiple choice questions and Part B is short answers.

• Section I Part A  consists of 55 multiple-choice questions and is 55 minutes long.
• Section I Part B consists of 3 short answer questions and is 40 minutes long.
• The second section is a free-response section with 2 questions and is 1 hour 40 minutes long.

The AP European History Exam will test your understanding of the historical concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze primary and secondary sources, historical arguments, and more.

How many questions does the AP European History exam have?

The AP European History exam has 60 questions in total divided into 2 major sections. Section I Part A has 55 multiple-choice questions, section II Part B has 3 short answer questions, and section II has 2 free-response questions.

Topics for AP European History Review

For additional course resources such as classroom resources, formulae and equation sheets and lab manuals refer to the College Board AP European History course page .

How is the AP European History exam scored?

The AP European History exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score and 1 being the lowest. The exam is divided into two sections: Section I and Section II.

Section I is 1 hour and 35 minutes long and consists of 55 multiple-choice questions and 3 short-answer questions. Each multiple-choice question is worth 1 raw point , for a total of 55 raw points possible in this section. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so you should always answer every question, even if you have to guess.

The three short-answer questions are worth 3 points each, for a total of 9 raw points possible in this section. The short-answer questions are scored holistically, meaning that your score will be based on the overall quality of your answers, not just the number of correct facts you provide.

Section II is 1 hour and 40 minutes long and consists of 2 free response questions. The free-response section is worth 13 raw points- Question 1 is worth 7 raw points and Question 2 is worth 6 raw points. On the free response questions, points are taken off for errors only if they detract from the quality of the argument being made . Grammatical and other technical errors aren’t a big deal as long as they don’t inhibit the grader’s ability to understand what your answer is saying.

Your final score on the AP European History exam is a combination of your raw scores on Section I and Section II. The raw scores are first scaled to a 1 to 5 scale, and then your final score is determined. The scaling process is designed to ensure that students who take the exam in different years are evaluated fairly.

A score of 3 or higher on the AP European History exam is generally considered to be a good score. This means that you have demonstrated a solid understanding of the material and are likely to be successful in college-level U.S. history courses.

When is the AP European History exam in 2024?

The AP European History exam for 2024 will be held on Friday, May 10 2024 08:00 am local time. The 2024 AP Exams will be held over two weeks in May: May 6–10 and May 13–17. 

For the most recent information on exam dates and registration deadlines, students can check with their institution or the College Board website .

How to prepare for the AP European History exam?

Here are some tips on how to prepare for the AP European History exam 

• Learn about the different political systems that have existed in Europe over the centuries. This includes monarchies, republics, democracies, and dictatorships.
• Be familiar with the major wars that have been fought in Europe. This includes the Hundred Years’ War, the Thirty Years’ War, the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, and World War II.
• Understand the impact of the Industrial Revolution on European society. This includes the rise of a new working class, the growth of cities, and the development of new technologies.
• Be aware of the role of religion in European history. This includes the Catholic Church, the Protestant Reformation, and the Enlightenment.
• Be able to analyze primary sources. The AP European History exam will include questions that require you to analyze primary sources, such as historical documents, maps, and photographs.
• Use outside sources. The AP European History exam allows you to use outside sources to support your essays. This can be a great way to add depth and complexity to your arguments.

How can Wiingy help with AP European History exam prep?

In 2022, only 58.9% of the 80,152 students who took the AP US History exam scored a 5. While 3 is considered the unofficial passing rate, most elite universities, such as Harvard or Princeton, offer AP credit only if you score 5 or higher. 

Getting a 5 is possible if you have the right support in your high school, but that’s rarely the case.

Here at Wiingy, we work with vetted AP European History tutors with demonstrated expertise and experience in helping students score a 5 on AP exams. 

Unlike tutor marketplaces, every Wiingy tutor is screened individually and undergoes a comprehensive assessment.

Less than 3% of applicants are selected to become tutors on Wiingy’s platform, ensuring tutors are highly qualified and experienced in teaching AP courses.

Our tutors will work with you 1-on-1 to master the content and skills you need to succeed.

Experienced tutors can provide you with curriculum-specific guides and practice questions and familiarize you with the exam format to help you ace the test.

We know that sometimes you don’t want to pay for private tutoring because it is too expensive. It’s common to see tutoring costs between $100 to $150 per hour.

Wiingy’s rates are affordable, starting from just $28 per hour , much lower than the average AP tutoring offered by other platforms.

One more advantage of studying with us is that we don’t require you to sign up for any packages or yearly subscriptions . You can sign up for as little as one lesson and add more lessons as per your requirements.

While we try to match you with the perfect tutor as per your needs, we know that sometimes even the best tutors might not be the right fit for you. That’s why we offer you the Perfect Match Guarantee, which means that if you are not satisfied with your tutor for any reason, you can request a free replacement at any time. 

Sign up with Wiingy AP European History Tutoring today and achieve your goal of scoring a 5 on your AP Test!

Why take AP European History?

Here are some of the benefits of taking the AP European History exam:

• College credit : Depending on your score and the policies of the college you plan to attend, a high score on the AP European History exam can earn you college credit. This can save you time and money on tuition costs, as you may be able to skip introductory US history courses in college. You can major in History, Political Science, Law, Government, International Relations, or Public Policy.
• Advanced Placement : In addition to college credit, a high score on the AP European History exam can also earn you advanced placement in higher-level US history courses in college. This can give you a head start and allow you to take more advanced courses earlier in your college career.
• Career prospects: Taking the AP European History exam and earning a high score demonstrates to colleges and future employers that you have mastered college-level US history concepts and skills. This can be an impressive addition to your college application or resume if you are looking to make your career as a Historian, Political Scientist, Lawyer, Government Official, Journalist, or Educator.
• Interest in US history : Finally, taking the AP European History exam can be a way to pursue your interest in US history and deepen your understanding of the American past. By exploring advanced US history concepts and practicing critical thinking skills, you can gain a greater appreciation for the complexity and diversity of American society.

Students who are interested in majoring in history, political science, law, government, international relations, or public policy will find the skills learned in AP European History to be essential. Additionally, the skills learned in this course can be applied to a wide range of careers, such as teaching, consulting, and research.

The AP European History exam is divided into two sections: multiple-choice (55 questions, 1 hour and 35 minutes) and free-response (2 questions, 1 hour and 40 minutes).

The mean score for the AP European History exam in 2022 was 2.95 out of 5 , which is slightly lower than the mean score for all AP subjects in 2022 (2.92). The passing rate for AP European History in 2022 was 58.1% , which is slightly lower than the pass rate for AP overall (60.2%).

The AP European History exam is challenging, but it is also rewarding. By learning about the history of Europe and applying your critical thinking skills, you can gain a deeper understanding of the European past and how it has shaped the present.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is AP European history harder than AP U.S. history? Both AP U.S. History and AP European History are considered among the hardest AP classes, and many students find the exams in both courses especially challenging. Whether you will find AP U.S. History or AP European History more difficult depends on mainly individual factors.

These include things like your personal level of interest in each subject, your background knowledge of history, and the quality of the teachers at your particular high school for each course.

Should I take AP European History or World History?

Like AP European History, AP World History is considered one of the harder AP courses. In the event that your school offers both, and you are not sure which AP course to take, you will have to consider your school and personal circumstances.

Ask students who have taken each course which one they enjoyed more, found easier, and took more interest in. You should also consider whether you would prefer the broader, global focus of AP World History or AP European History’s narrower focus on a single continent.

How many credits do you get for AP European History?

The number of credits you earn for AP European History also varies depending on the school and your exam score. Generally speaking, colleges give credit for a score of 4 or 5, although some colleges offer credit for a score of 3 as well. Students typically receive 3-6 credits, but this, too, can vary. It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and the specific policies of each school may vary. It is always best to check with the admissions office of the school you are interested in attending to find out their specific policy on AP credits.

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Enter your email to unlock an extra $25 off an sat or act program, by submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., guide to the ap european history exam.

Familiar with the defenestration of Prague? Know the causes of the French Revolution? The AP ® European History exam tests topics and skills discussed in your Advanced Placement European History course. If you score high enough, your AP Euro score could earn you college credit!

Check out our AP European History guide for the essential info you need about the exam:

• Exam Overview
• Sections and Question Types
• How to Prepare

What’s on the AP European History Exam?

The course focuses on the following nine units of study:

• Unit 1: Renaissance and Exploration
• Unit 2: Age of Reformation
• Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism
• Unit 4: Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
• Unit 5: Conflict, Crisis, and Reaction in the Late 18th Century
• Unit 6: Industrialization and its Effects
• Unit 7: 19th Century Perspectives and Political Developments
• Unit 8: 20th Century Global Conflicts
• Unit 9: Cold War and Contemporary Europe

The College Board is very detailed in what they require your AP teacher to cover in his or her AP European History course. They explain that you should be familiar with the following themes:

• Interaction of Europe and and the World: commercial and religious motivations to interact with the world; competition for trade; commercial rivalries; Christianity; social Darwinism; mercantilism; slave-labor system; expansion of slave trade; slave revolt and Haitian independence; national self-determination; extreme nationalist political parties; increased immigration into Europe, anti-immigrant policies; Woodrow Wilson’s political/diplomatic idealism; causes of World War I; Columbian exchange; Marshall Plan; 1929 stock market crash; Cold War outside Europe; responses to imperialism; diplomacy and colonial wars
• Economic and Commercial Developments: industrialization; Second Industrial Revolution; French Revolution; Russian reform and modernization; world monetary and trade systems; European economic and political integration; baby boom; the putting-out system; Agricultural Revolution and population growth; mechanization; the factory system; migration from rural to urban areas; critiques of capitalism; evolution of socialist ideology; Russian Revolution; Lenin’s New Economic Policy; Stalin’s economic modernization; fascism; the Great Depression; green parties; revolts of 1968; labor laws and reform programs
• Cultural and Intellectual Developments: revival of classical texts; invention of the printing press; Renaissance art; scientific method; rational thought; theories of Locke and Rousseau; humanism; romanticism; fascist nationalism
• States and Other Institutions of Power: English Civil War; French Revolution; wars of Napoleon; Enlightenment principles; Congress of Vienna; social contract; post-1815 revolutions; nation-building; industrialization; Russian Revolution; constitutionalism; rise of the Nazis; mass media and propaganda; total war; post-1945 nationalist/separatist movements; genocide; imperialism; colonial independence movements; League of Nations; collapse of communism
• Social Organization and Development: gender roles and marriage patterns; hierarchy and social status; urban expansion; rise of commercial and professional groups; family economy; Napoleon and meritocracy; industrialization and class; destructive effects of technology; religious minorities; social Darwinism
• National and European Identity: new class identities; ethnic cleansing; national self-determination; transnational identities; European integration; conflict between religious groups; continued influence of local identities; separatist movements; decolonization; radical political thought; rise of Zionism; mass politics; worker movements
• Technological and Scientific Innovation : Golden Age of Dutch advances (telescope, microscope, etc.); 1 st Industrial Revolution (spinning jenny, steam engine, steamboat); 2 nd Industrial Revolution (electric motors, railways, telegraph, automobile, medical technology); 20 th century (Einstein and theory of relativity, color photography, warfare technology, radio and television, medical innovations)

Read More: For a comprehensive content review, check out our line of AP guides

AP Euro Sections and Question Types

The AP European History exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long. It is composed of two sections: a multiple choice/short answer section and a a free response section. There are two parts (Part A and Part B) to each section.

Note: The College Board has not yet announced if the 2021 digital version of the AP European History exam will be in place for future exam years. For updates on the digital test and its format, please visit the  AP Euro page on the College Board's website .

AP European History Multiple-Choice

Multiple-choice questions are grouped into sets of typically three or four questions and based on a primary or secondary source, including excerpts from historical documents or writings, images, graphs, maps, and so on. This section will test your ability to analyze and engage with the source materials while recalling what you already know about European History.

AP European History Short Answer

The short answer questions will ask you to write answers to questions in your test booklet. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps. Questions 1 and 2 are required and focus on historical developments or processes from 1600–2001. You can choose between Question 3, which focuses on periods 1450–1648 and/or 1648–1815, and Question 4, which focuses on periods 1815–1914 and/or 1914–present.

AP European History Document-Based Question (DBQ)

DBQ questions will present you with a variety of historical documents that are intended to show various perspectives on a historical development or process. You will need to develop a thesis that responds to the question prompt and to support that thesis with evidence from both the documents and your knowledge of European history. The topic of the DBQ will include historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.

AP European History Long Essay

You’re given a choice form three long essay prompts to complete. You must develop a thesis and use historical evidence to support your thesis, but there won’t be any documents on which you must base your response. Instead you’ll need to draw upon your own knowledge of topics you learned in your AP European History class. Each question focuses on a different time period (1450–1700, 1648–1914, or 1815–2001).

Learn More: Review for the exam with our AP European History Cram Course and Tutors

What's a Good AP European History Score?

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or 5 on the AP Euro exam, but some may grant credit for a 3. Here’s how students scored on the AP European History exam in May 2022:

Source: College Board

How can I prepare?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP European History content and strategy, pick the AP prep option that works best for your goals and learning style.

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About the Exam

The AP European History Exam will test your understanding of the historical concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze primary and secondary sources and identify patterns and connections that can support a historical interpretation.

Mon, May 5, 2025

12 PM Local

AP European History Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP European History Exam.

Exam Components

Section 1a: multiple choice.

55 questions 40% of Score

The questions in the multiple-choice section come in sets of typically 3–4 questions based on the same stimulus. The questions will include one or more sources to respond to such as primary and secondary texts, images (for example, artwork, photos, posters, cartoons), charts, and maps.

 You’ll be asked to:

• Analyze the provided sources
• Analyze the historical developments and processes described in the sources

Section 1B: Short Answer

3 questions 20% of Score

In the short-answer section, you’ll write answers to questions in your test booklet. Some questions include texts, images, graphs, or maps.

• Question 1 is required, includes 1 or 2 secondary sources, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.
• Question 2 is required, includes 1 primary source, and focuses on historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.
• You can choose between Question 3 (which focuses on historical developments or processes from the period from 1450 to 1648 and/or the period from 1648 to 1815) and Question 4 (which focuses on historical developments or processes from the period from 1815 to 1914 and/or the period from 1914 to the  present) for the last question. No sources are included for either Question 3 or Question 4 .

You’ll be asked to:

• Analyze historical developments and processes described in the sources
• Put those historical developments and processes in the context
• Make connections between those historical developments and processes

Section 2: Free Response

2 questions 40% of Score

In the free-response section, you’ll write answers to questions in your test booklet. There are two questions: one document-based question and one long essay.

Document-Based Question (DBQ) Recommended time: 60 minutes | 25% of Score The 60-minute recommended time for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.

• You’ll be presented with seven documents that give various perspectives on a historical development or process.
• You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on these documents and other evidence from your own knowledge.
• The topic of the document-based question will include historical developments or processes between the years 1600 and 2001.

Long Essay 1 question | 40 minutes | 15% of score

• You’ll have a choice of three questions; you’ll pick one to answer.
• Each test the same skills but the questions focus primarily on different historical time periods (1450–1700, 1648–1914, or 1815–2001).
• You’ll be asked to develop and support an argument based on evidence.

Exam Essentials

Exam preparation, ap classroom resources.

Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos, any assignments from your teacher, and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.

• Go to AP Classroom

Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information

Go to the Exam Questions and Scoring Information section of the AP European History exam page on AP Central to review the latest released free-response questions and scoring information.

Past Exam Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information  

Go to AP Central to review free-response questions and scoring information for the AP European History exam from past years. 

AP European History Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the through-course assessment and the end-of-course exam. If you’re using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected] . For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website.

Credit and Placement

Search AP Credit Policies

Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.

Additional Information

AP European History Exam Questions

Free-response questions and scoring information.

Download free-response questions from this year's exam and past exams along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers and scoring distributions.

If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected] .

2024: Free-Response Questions

2023: Free-Response Questions

2022: Free-Response Questions

2021: Free-Response Questions

2020: Free-Response Questions

The 2020 free-response questions are available in the  AP Classroom question bank .

2019: Free-Response Questions

2018: Free-Response Questions

2017: Free-Response Questions

2016: Free-Response Questions

2015: Free-Response Questions

2014: Free-Response Questions

2013: Free-Response Questions

2012: Free-Response Questions

2011: Free-Response Questions

2011: Form B

2010: Free-Response Questions

2010: Form B

2009: Free-Response Questions

2009: Form B

2008: Free-Response Questions

2008: Form B

2007: Free-Response Questions

2007: Form B

2006: Free-Response Questions

2006: Form B

2005: Free-Response Questions

2005: Form B

2004: Free-Response Questions

2004: Form B

2003: Free-Response Questions

2003: Form B

2002: Free-Response Questions

2002: Form B

2001: Free-Response Questions

2000: Free-Response Questions

1999: Free-Response Questions

AP Euro/ AP European History Homework Expectation

I am currently a freshmen, taking AP Euro next year. I am wondering how much homework is there per night in this class? What does this homework consist of (notes, primary source readings etc.)? I am currently in Honors World History with an A semester 1 and currently have an A (90-91% is what I hover around), do you think that I will do well in this class?

Thank you for any help!

Homework load depends on your teacher and school.

did you take it popitx? If so, what was it like for you? I know that it really does depend on teacher and school but I am trying to get a feel.

It’s a lot of reading, essay writing, and fact memorization. At my school we had 1 chapter reading/notes due a week (30-40 pages in textbook) as well as essays every so often. Quiz every singe day on the assigned reading and essay question about the reading. Exams were 2 full length essay questions and 50-100 multiple choice questions.

For me, it averages about 45 minutes. Readings from the text as well as some primary sources.

As the user above me described, there’s a lot of work involved. My school also has one chapter of reading/notes due a week (30-40 pages as well; notes take me about one-three hours a day, depending on how reading I have in Euro as well as homework in my other classes), either an FRQ or a DBQ per chapter, a quiz every chapter or so, and general activities and discussions at school. If you really enjoy history, then you will definitely like this class!

We have two AP Euro teachers at my high school. One rarely teaches and everyone gets an easy A, but they barely get 3s and 4s on the AP exam. The second is really rigorous, 20-page packets to annotate every week, quiz every other day, frequent essays, but his students ace the AP exam with little to no self-study. (Source: sophomore advice).

It really depends on the teacher. If you’re planning on taking the exam at the end, it’ll probably be more beneficial to self study over the summer so that it’s easier to get an A in the class and a 4/5 on the exam. That’s what I’m planning on doing, since our school posts part of the textbook online for summer self-study.

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6 Steps to a Perfect AP European History DBQ

Advanced Placement (AP)

Are you taking AP Euro and are wondering about the AP Euro DBQ essay? The DBQ is quite different from a typical school essay, and students often struggle with it during the AP exam. However, knowing what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ will go a long way towards helping you feel more confident, as well as getting a great score! Read this in-depth guide to learn all about what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ, what graders are looking for in your essay, a step-by-step guide to writing a DBQ, and three key tips to keep in mind when going over AP Euro DBQ example questions.

What Is the AP Euro DBQ? Why Is It Important?

The DBQ, or "document-based question," is an essay question type on three AP History exams (AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History). For the DBQ essay, you'll need to analyze a historical issue or trend with the aid of the provided sources (the documents) as evidence. For AP European History, you'll generally be given about seven documents.

The purpose of the AP Euro DBQ is to put you in the historian's shoes as an interpreter of historical material and test your ability to:

• Create a strong thesis and support that thesis with the aid of the documents provided
• Analyze sources for characteristics such as author's point of view, the author's purpose, the audience, and context
• Make connections between the documents
• Bring in outside knowledge to strengthen the argument

For the AP Euro exam, the DBQ accounts for 25% of your total exam score, so it's definitely not something you want to overlook. It's also consistently one of the toughest parts of the exam. In 2021 , the average AP Euro DBQ score was just a 3.26 out of 7--less than a 50%! Fortunately, preparing in advance for the AP Euro DBQ can go a long way to helping you feel more confident and, ultimately, get a higher score.

What to Expect from the AP Euro DBQ

The AP Euro exam is broken into two main sections. The first section consists of the multiple-choice questions and three short-answer questions. The second section consists of the DBQ and the long essay. When you get to section two, you'll see the DBQ instructions, then the DBQ prompt, and finally the documents (there are typically seven). Here's what the DBQ instructions look like:

These instructions lay out exactly how you're expected to use the documents. You'll need to mention at least six and go into depth for at least three of them. Additionally, you'll have to come up with at least one other piece of historical evidence not found in the documents to support your argument.

Here's an AP Euro DBQ example from the 2021 exam :

"Evaluate whether or not British imperial rule in India during the 1800s was primarily influenced by liberalism."

 Seven documents follow (which you can see if you click the above link), and they're a mix of extracts from posters, newspaper articles, interviews, and other sources. Your job would be to write an essay that takes a side on the issue and uses both information from the documents and your own analysis to support your stance. We'll go over exactly how to do this throughout the rest of the article.

The AP Euro DBQ is worth seven points. You can see the full rubric here , but here's a brief overview of where those points are earned:

• Thesis responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis/claim that establishes a line of reasoning. (1 point)
• Essay describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.   (1 point)
• Essay supports an argument in response to the prompt using at least six documents. (2 points)
• Essay uses at least one additional piece of specific historical evidence (beyond that found in the documents) relevant to an argument about the prompt. (1 point)
• For at least three documents, the essay explains how or why the document’s point of view, purpose, historical situation, and/or audience is relevant to an argument. (1 point)
• Demonstrates a complex understanding of the historical development that is the focus of prompt, using evidence to corroborate, qualify, or modify an argument that addresses the question. (1 point)

As you can see, a lot of points are derived from clearly and accurately incorporating information from the documents into your essay.

6 Steps for Tackling an AP Euro DBQ Example

Writing a full-length DBQ essay can be a daunting task, but breaking it into smaller steps will help it seem more manageable and can make your writing more organized. Here are six steps to follow when writing your AP Euro DBQ essay.

#1: Break Down the Prompt

Your first step should always be to read the prompt that you need to answer. Mark it up or read it a few times, if necessary, to make sure you really understand what's being asked. For the 2021 prompt, "Evaluate whether or not British imperial rule in India during the 1800s was primarily influenced by liberalism," you might rewrite some of it in your own words, something like, "British rule in India: liberalism?" Whatever works for you.

Once you have a solid grasp of the prompt, you'll be much more focused when reading the documents because you'll know what information to be looking out for.

#2: Look Through the Documents

You can spend as much or as little time reading the documents for the AP Euro DBQ as you'd like, although 15 minutes is recommended for reading time. Depending on the length of the documents and your speed reading skills, that may or may not be enough time to read them all the way through. Some skimming might be necessary.

You'll also need to do more than just read through the documents: quick, targeted notes will help organize the documents and your thoughts. For each document, jot down a few bullet points, covering things like who it was written by, when it was written, and what its main 1-3 points related to the prompt are. This will make it easier to see patterns in the documents which will be necessary when you write your thesis in the next step.

#3: Write Your Thesis

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your DBQ essay: it's the main point of your essay and what everything else you write hinges upon. A good thesis will make a claim, respond to the prompt, and lay out what you will discuss in your essay. Suppose you are responding to a prompt about women's suffrage (suffrage is the right to vote, for those of you who haven't gotten to that unit in class yet): "Analyze the responses to the women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom."

Included among your documents, you have a letter from a suffragette passionately explaining why she feels women should have the vote, a copy of a suffragette's speech at a women's meeting, a letter from one politician to another debating the pros and cons of suffrage, and a political cartoon displaying the death of society and the end of the ‘natural' order at the hands of female voters.

An effective thesis might be something like, "Though ultimately successful, the women's suffrage movement sharply divided the United Kingdom between those who believed women's suffrage was unnatural and those who believed it was an inherent right of women." This thesis answers the question and clearly states the two responses to suffrage that are going to be analyzed in the essay.

#4: Outline Your Essay

After you know your thesis, you may be tempted to dive right in, but creating an essay outline can end up saving you time and making your DBQ essay much clearer and more organized. Once you get good at outlining, you should be able to come up with one in roughly five minutes so you still have plenty of time to write the essay.

Here's a sample DBQ outline:

• Introduction
• Thesis. The most important part of your intro! It should be the last sentence of your introduction paragraph.
• Body 1 - contextual information
• Any outside historical/contextual information
• Body 2 - First point
• Documents & analysis that support the first point
• If three body paragraphs: use about three documents, do deeper analysis on two
• Body 3 - Second point
• Documents & analysis that support the second point
• Use about three documents, do deeper analysis on two
• Be sure to mention your outside example if you have not done so yet!
• Body 4 (optional) - Third point
• Documents and analysis that support third point
• Restate thesis
• Draw a comparison to another time period or situation (synthesis)

Your ideal outline may include more or less information, so try out a few different ones as you work through AP Euro DBQ example questions to see which works best for you and still allows you to finish the essay on time.

#5: Start Writing!

Now it's time to get writing! If you've kept to 15 minutes for the reading period and 5 minutes for creating your outline, you'll have 40 minutes to write the essay . With an intro, conclusion, and four body paragraphs, that gives you about 6.5 minutes per paragraph --not much time, but doable if you keep your paragraphs short and to the point, which you want to be doing anyway! Remember to refer to the documents but also do more than just repeat what they say. Including your own analysis is key. If you find yourself doing a lot of "Source A says blah, and Source B says blah, and Source C says blah..." make sure you are using the documents to make a point , and not letting the documents use you.

#6: Review Your Essay

You may not have time to do this, of course, but even if you only have an extra minute or two at the end of the section, a quick readthrough can help you spot and fix any glaring errors or omissions. Graders won't dock you points over a misspelling or two, but keeping things as clear as possible makes it easier for them to see the point you're making, which in turn makes it easier for them to award you points. Basically, you want to use every minute you have in this section of the AP Euro exam, so don't let a few extra minutes at the end go to waste if you can use them to add a little final shine to your DBQ essay.

4 Tips for Your AP Euro DBQ Practice

You're now well prepared for the AP Euro DBQ, but a couple extra tips never hurt! Keep these four in mind throughout your studying and on test day.

#1: Find High-Quality Practice Questions

One of the best ways to measure your progress and learn which areas you need to focus on is to take practice exams. There are a lot of AP Euro History practice tests available; however, some are higher-quality than others. Taking a poorly written practice exam can cause you to study the wrong things and give you an inaccurate picture of what the real AP exam will be like. 

Official practice exams are those that have been created by the College Board (the organization that develops and administers all AP exams). Here are the AP Euro free-response questions they've made available:

2021 free-response questions

1999-2019 free-response questions

These include old prompts for both the DBQ and the long essay, as well as answer explanations. The most recent questions will be the most helpful, particularly those from 2018 and later, since AP Euro underwent its last significant changes in 2018. However, older questions can still give you a sense of what AP Euro free-response questions will look like.

#2: Always Keep Track of Time

Time constraints are one of the toughest parts of the AP exam, including the DBQ. You can have all the information and skills you need to write an amazing essay, but if you run out of time halfway through, you won't get a high score. That's why it's crucial to always watch your time.

Part II of the AP Euro exam lasts for a total of 100 minutes, during which time you'll need to write two essays, the DBQ and the long essay. For the DBQ, it's recommended that you spend 15 minutes reading over the documents and 45 minutes writing your DBQ essay. The proctor may note when you have a certain amount of time left, but no one will make you finish your DBQ and move to the long essay at a certain time, so spending too much time on the DBQ can cause you to run out of time on the long essay as well. 

#3: Be an Active Reader, Not a Passive Reader

Many students, especially if they don't have a lot of experience with DBQs, will spend the 15 minutes of recommended reading time reading every word of each of the documents, then, when it comes time to begin writing their essay, have no idea how to craft an essay around all that information they just took in. This is one of the reasons DBQs can be so tricky.

So, how to avoid this problem? Don't just read through the documents. Instead, mark them up: underlining and circling important parts and jotting down helpful notes. We recommend reading the essay prompt before you begin reading the documents. Once you have a good handle on the prompt, then you can skim through the documents, focusing on the parts that relate most to the prompt.  

The DBQ prompt for 2020 was, "Evaluate whether or not the Catholic Church in the 1600s was opposed to new ideas in science." So, when going through the documents, the key thing you're going to want to be making note of is whether each document seems to support or disprove the Catholic Church being opposed to new ideas in science. Your notes for this can be as little as a plus or minus sign next to the document, or you can do some short bullet points (we'd recommend no more than three per document) that give an overview of the main viewpoint. If you actively read the documents, starting to write the essay is much easier because you can clearly see the cases the documents make and, therefore, how to make your own case.

#4: Remember to Cite the Sources

The final tip to keep in mind, which will make a big difference in your DBQ essay quality, is integrating document citations into your essay. You want to be able to reference the information in the documents in a clear, concise way that doesn't take too much of your time but makes it easy for graders to see where you're getting your facts from (as well as how well you're making use of the documents).

To do this, we recommend using the author or title of the document to identify a document rather than writing "Document A." So instead of writing "Document A describes the riot as...," you might say, "In Sven Svenson's description of the riot…"

When you quote a document directly without otherwise identifying it, you may want to include a parenthetical citation. For example, you might write, "The strikers were described as ‘valiant and true' by the working class citizens of the city (Document E)." Doing this throughout your DBQ essay will make it easier for graders to understand the major points you're making.

Summary: AP Euro Document-Based Question

Once you know what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ, it becomes one of the more straightforward parts of the AP exam. The AP Euro DBQ consists of a prompt that asks you to evaluate a statement, and it's followed by about seven documents. You'll need to mention at least six of those documents in your essay. Reviewing the AP Euro DBQ rubric can help you see where points are gained and lost, and running through AP Euro DBQ example questions is a great way to feel more comfortable with this essay. Review your course material over the school year and write several AP Euro practice DBQs to put yourself in a great place on exam day.

What's Next?

Interested in learning more about the AP Euro exam?  Our in-depth guide to the AP European History text explains everything you need to know!

Now that you better understand how hard AP Euro will be for you, get your hands on the best practice materials available!  Check out our guide on the best AP Euro practice tests and quizzes to help with your studying. 

Is AP Euro hard? How tough are the class and exam compared to other APs? We break down the five key factors in determining how hard is AP European History.  

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Preparing over the Summer for AP Euro

What Can I Do Over the Summer to Prepare for AP Euro in the Fall?

First of all, our thanks to all of the Redditors in r/APStudents who chimed in with their questions for Tony. For this fourth video of the series, Tony was asked about how a student could prepare for an upcoming Advanced Placement history course. That's a great question, though we suspect some may not care much for the answer. But hear him out! We think you might actually enjoy the experience.

With the recent course and exam redesigns for all 3 of the AP history courses, skills-related guidance, like the advice Tony shares in this series, applies equally to any of the 3 courses. They each now share the same exam and exam question formats, the same rubrics, and the same historical thinking skills. So AP World and AP U.S. History students can benefit from this series, as well.

If you have any AP history questions of your own that you'd like to see Tony answer, feel free to send them to us at [email protected] .

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AP World vs. AP Euro

Tori Paga | May 18, 2022

Brian Herzog

Students wond if they should take AP World of AP Euro.

As the school year comes to an end and students start preparing for finals and the coming school year, one big question comes up: what classes will I take next year? One of the choices sophomores have to make is to take AP World History or AP European History. For rising sophomores, it’s a hard decision to make as many don’t know the differences between the courses. 

In AP World students study the economic, cultural, political and social changes that have shaped the world, while AP European students focus on Europe. In AP World students study history from circa 1200 CE to present day. Within the class students learn a variety of different topics including industrialization and global conflict. In AP European students study events from circa 1450 to the present such as the Renaissance and conflicts across Europe. 

When you start AP World you’re given a packet called the Green Book with the key ideas of the course. In the end you’ll have a study guide that holds all the main points and key ideas needed for the AP exam. On average you’ll have to read about 10 pages per class period, and two to three assignments per week, which you’ll be given class time for. No major projects are given and minor projects are scarce.

“The tests did not weigh a whole lot, it was a lot of projects which I found easier,” said senior Angelina Madlock. “There were more projects and less tests. Plus a lot of assignments that were based on what you read or what you thought about it.” 

Many students said that they chose AP World over AP European to get a broader history experience. 

“Europe isn’t really the country of the world anymore like it used to be,” said sophomore Joshua Barker. 

When asked to rate how difficult they found the class, Barker said “if you don’t have a lot of time I would say around an eight but if you have enough time then seven.” 

In AP European there are nine units and they each take about four weeks to complete. It’s a fast paced class. Each unit is categorized by a set of notes based on the reading and two projects. It takes around six hours every two weeks to complete all of the assignments. 

“It is an AP class so obviously it’s AP work. Our teacher Amanda Falck definitely teaches like an AP class. I’ve taken many AP classes and it is one of the harder classes,” said junior Ella Plehall.

The class also has “Fun Fridays” where their teacher, Falck, will bring in food and the class will do something fun.

“It’s a bit of work but the teacher makes it pretty fun…The workload is pretty heavy. We have like six or seven pages usually…other day due, with readings,” said sophomore Safal Bhattarai. 

So while the workload is extremely heavy, the class itself isn’t that hard. 

“Overall the class is an eight, the majority of that is just how much physical homework, there’s a lot of projects, definitely more project based than other classes,” said Plehall when asked to rate how hard the class was out of 10. 

Before taking either one of these AP classes consider your interest in history and the workload you’re willing to take on. If both of these classes sound too difficult or you simply just don’t want the workload, remember regular World History is also available.

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