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The Changes to the 2020 AP US History Test & 3 Tips to Help

Written By Jason Robinovitz
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The Changes to the 2020 AP US History Test & Three Tips to Help you Succeed

A summary of the changes to the 2020 APUSH Exam:

  • Section 1B contains the first change: Here you’ll have 40 minutes to tackle 3 short-answer questions. This will account for 20% of your overall score. You’ll be asked to analyze historical sources (including texts, images, maps, etc.), interpretations and propositions.

  • The first question will focus on historical events or developments that occurred between 1754 and 1980. It will also include 1 to 2 secondary sources.

  • The second question also concerns an historical development between 1754 and 1980, but you’ll be provided with a single primary source.

  • The third question allows you to choose between two question options: The first of them will concern a historical process that occurred between 1491 and 1877. The second question will concern an event that occurred between 1864 and 2001. Neither question requires you to consult sources.

  • Section 2A will consist of a single, document-based question (DBQ). You’ll have an hour, including a 15-minute period that you may allocate to reading the question and the documents, and your response will make up 25% of your total score. There will be seven different documents that offer a range of perspectives on a particular historical event. The documents could be any combination of written, visual, and quantitative materials.

  • After taking time to analyze the documents, you’re to develop an argument that’s supported by the documents supplied. Potential topic will focus on historical events/developments that occurred between 1754 and 1980.

  • Section 2B consists of a long essay, and you’ll have 40 minutes to craft your response to the prompt. This final section will account for 15% of your total score. You’ll have to analyze and explain an important issue in U.S. history and to construct a strong argument that’s bolstered by historical evidence.

  • In this section, you’ll get to choose one of three questions: The first will concern an historical development that occurred between 1491 and 1800, the second between 1800 and 1898, and the third between 1890 and 2001.

  • Regardless of the question you choose, if you write well, demonstrate sound reasoning, and meaningfully cover the four “Cs” — comparison, causation, continuity, and change — you’ll earn all six of the possible points.

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Jason Robinovitz

As an active member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and the Secondary School Admission Test Board, Jason Robinovitz is part of a professional network of admission directors, educators, psychologists and other educational consultants. Additionally, Jason is a founding member of the National Test Prep Association, the first non-profit industry group for test prep professional nationwide.

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