The AP U.S. History exam is a big one—its content measures your knowledge of U.S. history from pre-Columbian societies to the present. After taking a college-level class, you will certainly have a large base of historical knowledge heading into the exam. However, the AP exam asks you to take what you’ve learned one step further and apply that knowledge in complex and analytic situations to show evidence of college-level learning. While a solid foundation of historical knowledge is critical to your learning, application of that knowledge earns top scores.

Learn more about the AP U.S. History Exam and what to expect on Test Day.