College Board
AP Macroeconomics
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics
A college-level introductory course in the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole, including national income, inflation, fiscal and monetary policy, and international trade. A strong AP exam score can earn college credit.
What's on the exam
AP Macroeconomics Course and Exam Description (six-unit framework)
Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts
5-10%Scarcity and opportunity cost · Production possibilities curve · Comparative advantage and trade · Demand, supply, and market equilibrium · Cost-benefit analysis
Unit 2: Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle
12-17%Gross domestic product · Limitations of GDP · Unemployment · Price indices and inflation · Business cycles
Unit 3: National Income and Price Determination
17-27%Aggregate demand · Short-run aggregate supply · Long-run aggregate supply · Equilibrium and changes in the model · Fiscal policy and multipliers
Unit 4: Financial Sector
18-23%Financial assets · Definition and time value of money · Banking and money creation · Money market · Monetary policy
Unit 5: Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies
20-30%Fiscal and monetary policy interaction · Government deficits and debt · Crowding out · Phillips curve · Economic growth
Unit 6: Open Economy - International Trade and Finance
10-13%Balance of payments · Exchange rates · Foreign exchange market · Effects of currency changes on trade · Real interest rates and capital flows
Frequently asked questions
How much does the AP Macroeconomics cost?
The AP Macroeconomics costs $99. $99 per AP Exam in the US (2025-2026); a College Board fee reduction of $37 per exam is available for eligible students.
How long is the AP Macroeconomics and how many questions does it have?
60 multiple-choice, 3 free-response (1 long, 2 short) — About 2 hours 20 minutes.
What do you need to pass the AP Macroeconomics?
Scored 1-5; a 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though credit policies are set by each college.
Can you retake the AP Macroeconomics?
Once per year (next May administration).
What is the best way to study for the AP Macroeconomics?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts 5-10%, Unit 2: Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle 12-17%, Unit 3: National Income and Price Determination 17-27%, Unit 4: Financial Sector 18-23%, Unit 5: Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies 20-30%, Unit 6: Open Economy - International Trade and Finance 10-13%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.
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