What Is a Good APUSH Score? A Guide to Scoring the AP U.S. History Exam

You've spent the school year navigating centuries of American history, from the pre-Columbian era to the present day. Now, with the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam on the horizon, one big question looms: What is a good APUSH score? Understanding how the exam is scored is the first step to setting realistic goals and maximizing your chances of earning valuable college credit.

The Official AP Score Scale: What Each Number Means

Like all Advanced Placement exams, the APUSH test is scored on a 5-point scale. This scale is designed to reflect how qualified a student is to receive credit for the equivalent introductory college course. According to the College Board, the organization that administers the exams, the scores are defined as follows:

• 5 = Extremely well qualified
• 4 = Well qualified
• 3 = Qualified
• 2 = Possibly qualified
• 1 = No recommendation

For the purposes of earning college credit, a score of 3 or higher is generally considered 'passing.' However, more selective colleges and universities may only grant credit for a score of 4 or 5.

Deconstructing the APUSH Exam: How Your Score is Calculated

Your final 1-5 score isn't just an arbitrary grade. It's the result of a complex conversion process that starts with your performance on four distinct sections of the exam. According to the official AP U.S. History Course and Exam Description, the sections are weighted as follows:

• Section 1A: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) - 40% of Score: 55 questions in 55 minutes.
• Section 1B: Short Answer Questions (SAQ) - 20% of Score: 3 questions in 40 minutes.
• Section 2A: Document-Based Question (DBQ) - 25% of Score: 1 essay in 60 minutes (includes a 15-minute reading period).
• Section 2B: Long Essay Question (LEQ) - 15% of Score: 1 essay (from a choice of 3 prompts) in 40 minutes.

The Journey from Raw Points to a Final Score

Here's a simplified look at how the College Board converts your performance into a final score:

1. Calculate Raw Scores: You get a 'raw score' for each section. For the MCQ, it's the number of questions you answer correctly. For the SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ, it's the number of points you earn based on the official rubrics.
2. Convert to Weighted Scores: Each raw score is then multiplied by a specific factor to match its exam weight. This creates a 'composite score' on a scale of 0 to 150.
3. Apply the Curve: Finally, this composite score is converted to the final 1-5 AP score. The exact conversion thresholds (the 'curve') can vary slightly each year based on that year's exam difficulty and student performance.

While the exact formula is proprietary, scoring models provide a very close approximation. You can see this calculation in action by plugging your practice scores into our APUSH Score Calculator. It handles the weighting and conversion for you, giving you an instant estimate of your final score.

So, What Is a 'Good' Score?

Now for the main question. While 'good' is subjective, we can break it down based on college expectations and national performance data.

A Score of 3 ('Qualified')

This is the baseline for a 'passing' score. A 3 demonstrates that you have a solid grasp of the course material. Many state universities and less selective private colleges will grant you college credit or placement for a score of 3. In 2023, the College Board reported that 17.7% of test-takers earned a 3.

A Score of 4 ('Well Qualified')

A score of 4 is excellent. It shows a thorough understanding of U.S. history and is accepted for credit at a wide range of colleges, including many highly selective institutions. Earning a 4 puts you in a strong position for both credit and placement. In 2023, 22.3% of students scored a 4.

A Score of 5 ('Extremely Well Qualified')

A 5 is the highest score possible and represents true mastery of the subject. It is accepted for credit by nearly all colleges that grant AP credit. Achieving a 5 is a significant academic accomplishment. Nationally, only 10.7% of APUSH students earned a 5 in 2023, placing them in the top tier of test-takers.

How to Use This Information to Your Advantage

Understanding the scoring system isn't just about predicting your score; it's about studying smarter. Look at the section weights again:

• The writing sections (SAQ, DBQ, LEQ) combine to make up a massive 60% of your total score.
• The DBQ alone is worth more than the entire SAQ section.
• Mastering the MCQ section can give you a strong 40% foundation for your score.

If you find you're excelling on practice MCQs but struggling to earn points on the DBQ, you know where to focus your efforts. Similarly, if your essays are strong but your MCQ score is low, drilling content and stimulus-based questions should be your priority.

Find Out Where You Stand

Ready to see where you stand? Don't wait for exam day to get a sense of your performance. Take a full-length practice test, score each section honestly, and then input your results into our free APUSH Score Calculator. It’s the best way to get an instant, data-driven estimate of your current standing, identify areas for improvement, and build a smarter study plan to achieve the score you want.