📐 Updated with 2025 College Board Data

AP World History Score Calculator

The most accurate AP World History calculator with full DBQ & LEQ rubric breakdown — Thesis, Contextualization, Evidence & Complexity scored separately.

64.3%2025 Pass Rate
13.9%Scored a 5
411K+Students Tested

🌍 Calculate Your AP World History Score

2026

A Section 1A: Multiple Choice

40% · 55 Qs · 55 min
/ 55

✎ Section 1B: Short Answer

20% · 3 Qs · 40 min
SAQ 1Secondary Source0 / 3
Claim — answer the question directly
Evidence — cite specific historical evidence
Explanation — connect evidence to claim
SAQ 2Primary Source0 / 3
Claim — answer the question directly
Evidence — cite specific historical evidence
Explanation — connect evidence to claim
SAQ 3/4No Source — choose period0 / 3
Claim — answer the question directly
Evidence — cite specific historical evidence
Explanation — connect evidence to claim

D Section 2A: Document-Based Question

25% · 7 docs · 60 min
Thesis / Claim
Historically defensible thesis
💡 Must be in intro or conclusion. Don\'t restate the prompt.
/ 1
Contextualization
Broader historical context
💡 2-3 sentences about what happened BEFORE the topic.
/ 1
Evidence (Docs)
Use 3+ docs as evidence
💡 For 2 pts: use 4+ docs to SUPPORT your argument.
/ 2
Outside Evidence
Evidence beyond documents
💡 Name a specific event, law, or person NOT in the docs.
/ 1
Analysis & Reasoning
Sourcing + complex argument
💡 HAPP on 3+ docs. For complexity: compare developments across regions, causation, or counterargument.
/ 2
DBQ Total: 0 / 7

E Section 2B: Long Essay Question

15% · 1 of 3 · 40 min
Thesis / Claim
Defensible thesis/claim
/ 1
Contextualization
Broader historical context
/ 1
Evidence
Specific & relevant examples
/ 2
Analysis & Reasoning
Historical reasoning + complexity
/ 2
LEQ Total: 0 / 6
Updates in real-time
1 AP Score
No Recommendation

Enter your scores above to see your prediction.

MCQ (40%)
0.0
0/55
SAQ (20%)
0.0
0/9
DBQ (25%)
0.0
0/7
LEQ (15%)
0.0
0/6
Composite Score Breakdown
MCQ: 0/55 × 1.090.00
SAQ: 0/9 × 3.330.00
DBQ: 0/7 × 5.360.00
LEQ: 0/6 × 3.750.00
Composite Total0.00 / 150
Your Score on the AP Scale
1
2
3
4
5

🎯 Target Score Mode

Select a target to get a personalized improvement plan.

Select a target score above.

⚡ What-If Scenarios

See how improvements affect your score.

📊 Unit Confidence Tracker

Rate your comfort level in each of the 9 units to get a personalized study priority list.

Unit 1: The Global Tapestry
c. 1200–1450 · 8–10%
Unit 2: Networks of Exchange
c. 1200–1450 · 8–10%
Unit 3: Land-Based Empires
c. 1450–1750 · 12–15% 🔥
Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections
c. 1450–1750 · 12–15% 🔥
Unit 5: Revolutions
c. 1750–1900 · 12–15% 🔥
Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization
c. 1750–1900 · 12–15% 🔥
Unit 7: Global Conflict
c. 1900–Present · 8–10%
Unit 8: Cold War & Decolonization
c. 1900–Present · 8–10%
Unit 9: Globalization
c. 1900–Present · 8–10%
Rate your confidence in each unit above to get a personalized study priority list.

🧠 Historical Thinking Skills Tracker

AP World tests 6 key reasoning skills. Rate your comfort to identify skill gaps.

Causation
Explain causes & effects of historical developments
Comparison
Compare developments across regions & time periods
Continuity & Change Over Time
Identify what stayed the same vs. what changed
Contextualization
Connect events to broader historical context
Argumentation
Build a thesis & support with evidence
Use of Evidence (HAPP)
Analyze & source historical documents
Rate your confidence in each skill above to see recommendations.

How AP World History Scoring Works

The AP World History exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes and has 4 parts with different weights. Unlike many AP exams that split 50/50, AP World gives 60% to free-response — making essay writing critical.

SectionTypeQuestionsTimeWeight
1AMultiple Choice55 stimulus-based55 min40%
1BShort Answer (SAQ)3 questions (choose Q3 or Q4)40 min20%
2ADocument-Based Question1 essay (7 documents)60 min25%
2BLong Essay Question1 essay (choose 1 of 3)40 min15%

AP World History DBQ Rubric Breakdown (7 Points)

The DBQ is the single highest-weighted question at 25% of your total score. You analyze 7 documents and write an argumentative essay.

CategoryPointsWhat You Need
Thesis/Claim0–1Historically defensible thesis responding to the prompt
Contextualization0–1Broader historical context relevant to the prompt
Evidence (Docs)0–21 pt for 3+ docs; 2 pts for 4+ supporting argument
Outside Evidence0–1Evidence beyond the documents
Analysis & Reasoning0–21 pt for HAPP on 3+ docs; 2 pts for complex argument

Pro tip: Use HAPP analysis (Historical context, Audience, Purpose, Point of view) on at least 3 documents. Sourcing is one of the most commonly missed points. Focus on cross-regional comparisons for the Complexity point.

AP World History LEQ Rubric Breakdown (6 Points)

The LEQ tests your ability to form a historical argument without documents. You choose 1 of 3 prompts covering different time periods.

CategoryPointsWhat You Need
Thesis/Claim0–1Clear, defensible thesis in intro or conclusion
Contextualization0–1Broader historical context
Evidence0–21 pt for specific examples; 2 pts for evidence supporting argument
Analysis & Reasoning0–21 pt for historical reasoning; 2 pts for complex understanding

AP World History Unit Weights

The exam covers c. 1200 CE to the present across 9 units and 4 time periods. Units 3–6 carry the most weight — focus your study time accordingly.

Period 1: c. 1200–14508–10%
Period 2: c. 1450–17508–10%
Period 3: c. 1750–190012–15%
Period 4: c. 1900–Present12–15%
Unit 5: c. 1200–1450 Revisited12–15%
Unit 6: c. 1450–1750 Revisited12–15%
Unit 7: c. 1750–1900 (Global)8–10%
Unit 8: c. 1900–Present (Global)8–10%
Unit 9: Globalization8–10%
High PriorityMediumLower Priority

AP World History Score Distribution (2025)

Score 5
13.9%
13.9%
Score 4
33.4%
33.4%
Score 3
17.0%
17.0%
Score 2
24%
24%
Score 1
12%
12%

AP World History has a 64.3% pass rate (score of 3+) in 2025. Mean score: 3.16. 411,547 students took the exam — one of the most popular AP exams.

Average Score Trend (6 Years)

2.88
2020
2.71
2021
2.96
2022
3.04
2023
3.11
2024
3.16
2025

What Score Do You Need?

Target
3
~58 / 150 composite
≈ 39% overall
Target
4
~82 / 150 composite
≈ 55% overall
Target
5
~107 / 150 composite
≈ 71% overall

How to Score a 5 on AP World History

📝 MCQ Strategy (40%)

AP World MCQs are stimulus-based — every set includes a source, image, map, or chart. Aim for 42+ out of 55 (76%).

Key: Read the source FIRST. Eliminate answers from wrong time periods. Think about cross-regional comparisons — they love testing connections across civilizations.

✍️ SAQ Strategy (20%)

Each response: 3-4 sentences max. Direct answer → evidence → explanation. Don\'t write paragraphs.

Key: Choose SAQ 3 (1200–1750) or SAQ 4 (1750–present) — pick your strongest period. Aim for 7-8 / 9.

📜 DBQ Strategy (25%)

During the 15-min reading period, annotate every doc with HAPP. Use 5-6 of 7 documents + outside evidence from a different region.

Key: Complexity point = hardest. Compare developments across regions or address a counterargument with evidence.

📖 LEQ Strategy (15%)

Pick the prompt you know best. Thesis = clear position. Use specific evidence (empires, trade networks, ideologies) in every body ¶.

Key: Contextualization = free points. 2-3 sentences about global developments before your topic's time period.

AP World vs. Other AP History Exams

FeatureAP WorldAPUSHAP Enviro Sci
Time spanc. 1200–Present1491–Presentc. 1450–Present
ScopeGlobal (6 regions)United StatesEurope only
MCQ55 questions55 questions55 questions
Duration3h 15min3h 15min3h 15min
5-rate (2025)13.9%14%13%
Pass rate64.3%73%51%
Mean score3.163.302.68

AP World History Time Management Guide

SectionTimePaceStrategy
MCQ (55 Q)55 min1 min/QNever spend >90 sec on one question. Flag and return.
SAQ (3 Q)40 min~13 min each3-4 sentences per part. Claim + evidence + explain.
DBQ60 min15+45 minAnnotate all 7 docs during reading. Outline before writing.
LEQ40 min5+35 minPick best prompt. Outline thesis + 2-3 body ¶s first.

Frequently Asked Questions

The AP World History exam has 4 sections: Multiple Choice (40%), Short Answer (20%), DBQ (25%), and LEQ (15%). Raw scores become a composite out of 150, then map to AP 1-5.
Most colleges require a 3+. Selective institutions typically want a 4 or 5. AP World credit is widely accepted and typically earns 3-6 semester hours fulfilling a general education or world civilizations requirement.
5-7 out of 7 is strong. The DBQ = 25% of your total. Focus on 4-5 documents with HAPP analysis + outside evidence from a different region.
No. SAQ 1 (secondary source) and SAQ 2 (primary source) are required. For your third, choose SAQ 3 (1200–1750) or SAQ 4 (1750–present) — pick the time period you know best.
No. Since 2011, no penalty for wrong answers. 1 point per correct, 0 for incorrect. Always answer everything.
Historical context, Audience, Purpose, Point of view. Apply to 3+ documents in your DBQ to earn the Analysis & Reasoning sourcing point. Think about who created each document and why.
Analyze similarities AND differences across regions, explain cause AND effect of global processes, connect across time periods, or address a counterargument. Must be sustained throughout your essay.
AP World History: Modern covers c. 1200 CE to the present, organized into 9 units across 4 eras. Units 3–6 (1450–1900) carry the most weight at 12–15% each.
Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM local time. The exam is 3 hours 15 minutes. Late testing available May 18, 2026.
Typically early to mid-July, about two months after the exam. Scores release in waves over several days via your College Board account.

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