How the AP World History: Modern exam is scored
The exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long. Multiple choice (55 questions) is 40% of your score and free response is 60%. The free response is weighted part by part: short answer 20%, document-based question 25% and long essay 15%. Each part is scaled by its weight and added into a composite out of 100, which is then converted to a score from 1 to 5.
What does it take to get a 5?
About 75 of 100 composite points, by our estimate. One way to get there is roughly 42 of 55 multiple choice questions right and 17 of 22 free-response points. A 4 takes about 62 points and a 3 about 49. In 2026, 14% of students earned a 5 and 66% earned a 3 or higher.
Where students lose points
The three short answers are only 3 points each, but together they are 20% of the score. Answer each part in one or two direct sentences with a specific example, and skip the introduction. On the DBQ, use the documents as evidence for your argument instead of summarizing them one by one.
