College Board
AP U.S. History
Advanced Placement United States History
A college-level US history survey from 1491 to the present. A strong AP exam score can earn college credit and strengthen admissions, making the course a common gateway to advanced standing.
What's on the exam
AP U.S. History Course and Exam Description (effective Fall 2026; from the May 2027 exam all three short-answer questions are required and the long essay is a single required prompt — course content and unit weightings unchanged)
Unit 1: Period 1, 1491-1607
4-6%Native American societies · European exploration · Columbian Exchange · Labor, slavery, and caste · Cultural interactions
Unit 2: Period 2, 1607-1754
6-8%Colonial settlement · Transatlantic trade · Slavery in the colonies · Colonial society and self-government · Imperial conflict
Unit 3: Period 3, 1754-1800
10-17%French and Indian War · American Revolution · Articles of Confederation · Constitution and ratification · Early republic
Unit 4: Period 4, 1800-1848
10-17%Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy · Market revolution · Reform movements · Sectionalism · Westward expansion
Unit 5: Period 5, 1844-1877
10-17%Manifest Destiny · Causes of the Civil War · Civil War · Reconstruction · Failure of Reconstruction
Unit 6: Period 6, 1865-1898
10-17%Industrialization · Gilded Age politics · Immigration and urbanization · Labor movements · The West and Native displacement
Unit 7: Period 7, 1890-1945
10-17%Progressive Era · US imperialism · World War I · Great Depression and New Deal · World War II
Unit 8: Period 8, 1945-1980
10-17%Cold War · Civil Rights Movement · Great Society · Vietnam War · Social movements
Unit 9: Period 9, 1980-present
4-6%Conservative resurgence · End of the Cold War · Globalization · Digital revolution · Contemporary politics and demographics
Frequently asked questions
How much does the AP U.S. History cost?
The AP U.S. History costs $99. $99 per AP Exam in the US (2026-27); a College Board fee reduction of $37 per exam is available for eligible students.
How long is the AP U.S. History and how many questions does it have?
55 multiple-choice, 3 short-answer (all required), 1 DBQ, 1 long essay — 3 hours 15 minutes.
What do you need to pass the AP U.S. History?
Scored 1-5; a 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though credit policies are set by each college.
Can you retake the AP U.S. History?
Once per year (next May administration).
What is the best way to study for the AP U.S. History?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Unit 1: Period 1, 1491-1607 4-6%, Unit 2: Period 2, 1607-1754 6-8%, Unit 3: Period 3, 1754-1800 10-17%, Unit 4: Period 4, 1800-1848 10-17%, Unit 5: Period 5, 1844-1877 10-17%, Unit 6: Period 6, 1865-1898 10-17%, Unit 7: Period 7, 1890-1945 10-17%, Unit 8: Period 8, 1945-1980 10-17%, Unit 9: Period 9, 1980-present 4-6%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
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