APUSH Score Calculator

Estimate your score for the AP U.S. History exam.

Understanding Your APUSH Score

The AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam is a comprehensive test designed to measure your understanding of American history from 1491 to the present. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with the final score being a combination of your performance on four different sections: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ), Short-Answer Questions (SAQ), the Document-Based Question (DBQ), and the Long Essay Question (LEQ). Our calculator uses a standard weighting model to estimate your score based on your performance in each area.

Key Factors Explained

  • Multiple-Choice (MCQ): This section consists of 55 questions and accounts for 40% of your total exam score. It tests your ability to analyze historical texts, interpretations, and evidence.
  • Short-Answer (SAQ): You'll answer three short-answer questions, which make up 20% of your score. This section assesses your ability to use historical thinking skills to respond to a primary source, a secondary source, or a general proposition about U.S. history.
  • Document-Based Question (DBQ): The DBQ is a single essay question that requires you to analyze a set of historical documents and construct an argument. It's worth 25% of your final score.
  • Long Essay Question (LEQ): For the LEQ, you choose one of three prompts and write a historical essay. This section is worth 15% of your score and evaluates your ability to make a historical argument with supporting evidence.

The Formula

While the College Board's exact formula can vary slightly each year, this calculator uses a widely accepted model to convert your raw scores into a final scaled score. Each section's raw score is multiplied by a specific weight to create a composite score out of 150, which is then mapped to the 1-5 AP scale.

Composite Score = (MCQ Correct × 1.09) + (SAQ Points × 3.33) + (DBQ Points × 6.0) + (LEQ Points × 5.0)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a good APUSH score?

A score of 3 is generally considered "passing" and may earn you college credit at some universities. Scores of 4 ("well-qualified") and 5 ("extremely well-qualified") are excellent and are accepted for credit at most colleges.

How is the APUSH exam graded?

First, your raw scores for each section are calculated. Then, these raw scores are converted into a weighted composite score. Finally, this composite score is converted into the final AP score of 1-5 based on a curve determined by the College Board's Chief Reader after all exams are scored.

Is this calculator 100% accurate?

This calculator provides a strong estimate based on typical scoring distributions. However, the official AP score conversion charts change slightly from year to year. Use this tool as a guide to understand your strengths and weaknesses, not as a guarantee of your final score.

For a more in-depth guide, read our detailed article on this topic.