
The AP European History exam is a challenging test that covers over 550 years of historical content, and only a select group of students achieve the highest score of 5. In 2023, only 16.9% of students scored a 5, and in 2020, that number was 13.7%. To pass the exam, a score of 3 is sufficient, but a score of 5 is considered extremely well qualified and can lead to college credits. Achieving a 5 on the AP European History exam requires a combination of hard work, commitment to absorbing the material, and a structured study plan. Students are advised to deeply understand the content, create mental timelines, and practice answering multiple-choice questions and essays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage score required | 70% |
| Number of questions | 4 |
| Type of questions | Multiple-choice, DBQ, FRQ |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Study tips | Practice multiple-choice questions, know the content and time periods, create a timeline, understand historical trends, interpret and connect ideas |
| Passing score | 3 |
| College credit eligibility | 3 or above |
| Description of score | "Extremely well qualified" |
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What You'll Learn

The AP Euro exam covers 550+ years of history
The AP European History exam is a challenging test that assesses your comprehension of European history and your ability to think and interpret historically. The exam covers an extensive period of over 550 years of historical content, from the early modern era to contemporary times, and it does so in a limited time frame of 3 hours and 15 minutes.
To excel in the AP Euro exam and achieve the top score of 5, you need to demonstrate a deep understanding of the content. This entails knowing the key historical events and being able to place them in their respective time periods. It is not enough to simply memorise facts; you need to recognise patterns and draw connections between different eras. Creating a mental timeline can help you identify trends and make sense of the long arc of European history.
The exam employs four different question types to gauge your knowledge and skills. These include multiple-choice questions, which test your basic understanding, and essay-style questions that assess your ability to analyse and interpret historical information critically. Practising with sample multiple-choice questions can help you identify gaps in your knowledge and improve your performance. Additionally, familiarising yourself with the rubrics provided by the College Board is crucial. Understanding the scoring guidelines will enable you to focus on refining your arguments and demonstrating your historical reasoning skills.
Achieving a score of 5 on the AP Euro exam is a significant accomplishment. In 2020, only 13.7% of test-takers attained this top score. To join this select group, a combination of hard work, dedication, and a structured study plan is necessary. It is essential to manage your time effectively, as the exam covers a vast amount of material. Knowing the content inside out will make it easier to apply your historical reasoning skills and excel in the exam.
While the AP Euro exam may seem daunting, with the right preparation and mindset, it is certainly achievable. By understanding the exam format, practising with sample questions, and deepening your knowledge of European history, you can increase your chances of earning that coveted 5. Remember, the exam is not just about memorising facts but also about demonstrating your ability to interpret, analyse, and make connections within the rich tapestry of European history.
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Know the time periods
The AP European History exam covers over 550 years of historical content, and it can be challenging to keep track of all the different time periods. Here are some tips to help you master the different eras and boost your score:
Understand the Broad Sweep of History
History often repeats itself, and events from different centuries can be interconnected. By creating a mental timeline, you can identify trends and patterns across the centuries. This demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the subject and is key to achieving a top score.
Focus on Key Periods
While you should have a broad overview of the entire period, it's also important to focus on specific eras. The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the World Wars are all likely to feature heavily, so ensure you have a detailed grasp of these periods.
Contextualise Events
Knowing the specific dates of events is important, but it's also crucial to understand the context in which they occurred. For example, knowing that the French Revolution took place in the late 18th century is one thing, but understanding the social, political, and economic factors that led to it will demonstrate a deeper comprehension.
Practice with Past Papers
Familiarise yourself with the format of the exam by practising with past papers. This will help you identify any gaps in your knowledge. Websites like historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/EHAP offer multiple-choice questions that can help you prepare for this section of the exam.
Use Study Guides
Study guides such as AP European History Crash Course can be a great way to focus your revision. These guides provide concise summaries of the key information you need to know, helping you to absorb the most important facts and events efficiently.
Structure Your Revision
Achieving a top score requires a committed and structured approach to revision. Take the time to understand the content thoroughly and create a revision plan that suits your learning style. Don't try to cram; instead, revise over an extended period to ensure you truly comprehend the material.
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Practice multiple-choice questions
AP® European History is a challenging course that covers over 550 years of historical content. To achieve a top score of 5, you need a combination of hard work, commitment, and a structured study plan. While the exact percentage required to attain a 5 is not publicly available, it is estimated to be at least 70%. Here are some detailed tips to help you prepare for the multiple-choice questions and work towards that 5!
Know the Content
While this may seem obvious, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of the historical content. Familiarize yourself with the key events, themes, and trends across different time periods. Create a mental timeline to help you connect the dots and identify patterns in history. This deep understanding of the content will enable you to interpret, analyze, and make connections between historical events, which is essential for earning a 5.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Repeatedly practicing multiple-choice questions is key to improving your performance. Websites like www.historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/EHAP offer a variety of practice questions to help you prepare. Review your answers and correct your mistakes. Don't worry if you come across questions about topics you haven't learned; that's to be expected. Focus on strengthening your ability to interpret and connect ideas by exposing yourself to different questions and prompts.
Understand the Exam Format
The AP® European History exam consists of four parts, including multiple-choice questions, a DBQ (document-based question), and two FRQs (free-response questions). Knowing the exam format and the types of questions asked will help you prepare effectively. Familiarize yourself with the rubrics provided by the College Board, as they are used to score your exam. By understanding the skills and elements they are looking for, you can tailor your responses accordingly.
Manage Your Time
The AP® European History exam covers a vast amount of material in a limited time frame. To maximize your performance, manage your time effectively during the exam. For the DBQ, allocate a set amount of time to organize the documents and outline your essay, and then use the remaining time for writing. Practicing under timed conditions will help you improve your time management skills and increase your accuracy.
Focus on Improvement
Don't be discouraged if you don't achieve a perfect score on your first try. Use practice exams and score calculators to identify your strengths and weaknesses. These tools can provide insights into your performance and help you understand where you need to improve. Focus on improving your scores in specific sections and refining your understanding of the material. Remember, achieving a 5 is a challenging task, and you may need to adapt your study strategies as you progress.
By following these tips and maintaining a consistent and dedicated study routine, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a 5 on the AP® European History exam. Remember, this exam is designed to assess your comprehension and historical thinking skills, so focus on developing a deep understanding of the content and applying it effectively during the exam. Best of luck with your studies!
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Understand historical connections
To achieve a score of 5 on the AP European History exam, you must demonstrate a deep understanding of the content and be able to interpret, analyse, and connect historical events. History often repeats itself, and creating a timeline to understand trends over the 550+ years of European history covered by the exam will help you to contextualise events and identify connections.
The AP European History exam covers a vast amount of historical content and uses four different question types to test your knowledge. These include multiple-choice questions, which account for a significant portion of the exam, and essay questions, where you will need to support your arguments with historical evidence. Practising these different question types is essential for exam preparation. Websites like www.historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/EHAP offer multiple-choice practice questions, which can help you identify areas where you need to deepen your knowledge.
To excel in the essay portion of the exam, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the rubrics provided by the College Board. These rubrics outline the skills and elements that you need to include in your responses. By memorising the rubrics, you can focus on crafting nuanced arguments and showcasing your historical reasoning abilities. Practice answering real prompts and consider how each rubric point applies to the specific situation. This will help you strengthen your ability to interpret, connect ideas, and develop arguments.
Additionally, understanding the historical connections between different periods and events is vital for achieving a high score on the AP European History exam. For example, recognising how events in the 17th century may have set the stage for developments in the 18th century demonstrates a sophisticated comprehension of the material. This ability to draw connections and make comparisons is a key aspect of historical thinking and will set you apart from your peers.
In conclusion, scoring a 5 on the AP European History exam requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and strategic preparation. By familiarising yourself with the exam format, practising different question types, and deepening your understanding of historical connections, you can set yourself up for success and join the select group of students who achieve this impressive score.
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Interpret and analyse history
Interpreting and analysing history is a key skill for students aiming for a top score on the AP European History exam. The exam covers over 550 years of historical content, and questions will test your knowledge of specific time periods and your ability to compare and contrast them.
To interpret and analyse history effectively, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the historical content. This means taking the time to truly comprehend the material, rather than trying to learn it overnight. Creating a mental timeline of historical events can help you identify trends and connections, which is an important aspect of the AP European History course. For example, by understanding the broader context, you can better analyse why certain events occurred and identify patterns across time periods.
Practising with multiple-choice questions is a recommended way to prepare for the exam. Websites like www.historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/EHAP offer a variety of multiple-choice questions that can help you improve your performance. Additionally, the exam will require you to write an essay based on historical documents. To prepare for this, you can practise with Document-Based Questions (DBQs) and learn how to quickly organise and categorise documents to support your essay arguments.
Familiarising yourself with the rubrics provided by the College Board is crucial. These are the guidelines used by readers to score your exam, so understanding the skills and elements they are looking for is essential. By memorising the DBQ and LEQ rubrics, you can focus on crafting sophisticated arguments and demonstrating your historical reasoning abilities during the exam. Applying your knowledge of the rubrics to practice sessions will help you strengthen your ability to interpret and connect ideas, develop arguments, and apply historical thinking skills.
The AP European History exam is designed to test your comprehension of European history and your capacity for historical thinking. It requires hard work, commitment, and a structured study plan. By utilising resources like practice exams, review books, and score calculators, you can improve your chances of achieving a top score and demonstrating your proficiency in interpreting and analysing history.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, only 16.9% of students scored a 5.
You need at least a 70% on the test. A perfect score is not required to get a 5 overall.
The exam covers over 550 years of historical content in 3 hours and 15 minutes, using four different question types.
It is recommended to familiarise yourself with the rubrics provided by the College Board and practice answering real prompts. Additionally, you should know the historical content and be able to interpret and connect ideas.
Any score of 3 or above is considered passing and is eligible for college credit. A score of 3 is considered 'qualified', 4 is 'well qualified', and 5 is 'extremely well qualified'.





















