AP US History Score Calculator
Estimate your AP score and get expert tips for success
Expert Exam Tips
Multiple Choice Strategy
Read the Question Stem First
Before diving into the source material, know what you're looking for. This saves time and helps focus your reading.
Use Process of Elimination
Cross out obviously wrong answers first. This improves your chances even when you're not completely sure.
Watch for Qualifier Words
Pay attention to words like 'EXCEPT', 'MOST', 'LEAST', 'PRIMARILY' - they're crucial for choosing the right answer.
Document Based Question (DBQ)
Start with Document Organization
Spend 15 minutes reading and organizing documents. Group them by argument or theme.
Use Every Document
Reference all or most documents in your essay. Explain how each supports your argument.
Include Outside Information
Bring in relevant historical context not mentioned in the documents for higher scores.
Historical Timeline
Period 1: 1491-1607 - Native America & Early Contact
Before Columbus arrived, diverse Native American civilizations thrived across North America. This period explores how these societies lived and how everything changed with European arrival. You'll learn about complex trade networks, rich cultural traditions, and the dramatic impact of first contact.
Key Topics
Key Events
- 1492 - Columbus's First Voyage
- 1565 - St. Augustine Founded
- 1588 - Spanish Armada Defeated
Study Tips
- • Focus on comparing different Native American societies
- • Understand the impact of diseases on populations
- • Know the major differences between Spanish and English colonization
Period 2: 1607-1754 - Colonial America
Watch how 13 distinct colonies grow from struggling settlements into thriving societies. This fascinating period shows how different regions developed their own unique cultures, economies, and social structures.
Key Topics
Key Events
- 1607 - Jamestown Founded
- 1620 - Mayflower Compact
- 1692 - Salem Witch Trials
Study Tips
- • Compare New England, Middle, and Southern colonies
- • Understand how slavery evolved differently in each region
- • Focus on growing tensions with Britain
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Memorizing Without Understanding
Focus on connecting events and understanding cause-and-effect relationships rather than just memorizing dates.
Ignoring Context
Always consider what else was happening during the same time period. Events don't happen in isolation.
Writing Too Generally
Use specific examples and evidence. Name names, cite events, and provide concrete details.
Study Strategies
Create Timeline Connections
Instead of memorizing isolated events, create visual timelines that show how events connect and influence each other.
- • Use different colors for different themes
- • Draw arrows to show cause and effect
- • Add key people and their roles
Practice Document Analysis
Regularly analyze historical documents using the HIPPO method (Historical Context, Intended Audience, Purpose, Point of View, Organization).
- • Read newspaper articles from different time periods
- • Compare multiple accounts of the same event
- • Practice identifying bias and perspective