AP European History

Course Description

AP European History is a college-level course that examines significant events, ideas, individuals, and movements from the Renaissance to the present. Students analyze political, social, economic, and cultural developments that have shaped Europe and its global interactions.

The course emphasizes critical thinking, document analysis, historical interpretation, and essay writing—skills essential for success in college-level history courses and beyond.

Key Components:

Examination of major historical periods and themes in European history
Analysis of primary and secondary sources
Development of historical arguments through writing and discussion
Preparation for document-based and thematic essays

AP Exam Details

AP European History concludes with a traditional end-of-course exam administered by the College Board. Students are assessed on their ability to analyze historical evidence, interpret documents, and construct well-reasoned arguments. The exam includes:

Multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of European history, key events, and historical themes.

Short answer questions requiring analysis of historical sources and contexts.

A document-based question (DBQ) that asks students to synthesize information from multiple primary sources.

A long essay question that requires students to develop a coherent historical argument on a given topic.

These components are scored by the College Board and collectively make up 100% of the AP European History score.

Helpful Info

The Entire Course in 33 Minutes

Emily Pool

Advice for AP European History Students

Alexia Kaybee

AP European History Score Distribution

From 2020 to 2025, AP European History has maintained steady performance, with pass rates (scores of 3 or higher) consistently around the low to mid-70% range.
In 2025, 13% of students earned a 5, 35% earned a 4, and 24% earned a 3, bringing the overall 3+ pass rate to 72%, while 28% scored a 1 or 2.
These scores reflect solid student understanding of European historical events and strong skills in document analysis and essay writing.

AP European History Forum

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Use this space to exchange study strategies, get feedback on your essay outlines or document analysis, and learn effective ways to organize historical arguments. Whether you’re working on source interpretation or time management, this section is designed to help you improve your skills and confidence.

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