[2023] Is AP World History Hard or Easy? Difficulty Rated ‘Quite Hard’ (Real Student Reviews + Pass Data)

Is AP World History Hard or Easy? Difficulty Rated ‘Quite Hard’ (Real Student Reviews + Pass Data)

Introduction

AP World History is known for its rigorous curriculum and challenging exam. In this article, we will explore the difficulty of AP World History based on real student reviews and pass rate data. We will delve into the overall difficulty rating, pass rate, student recommendations, and compare it to other AP classes. Additionally, we will provide insights from AP World History alumnae on successful study strategies and resources.

AP World History Difficulty Rating

AP World History is considered quite hard, with an overall difficulty rating of 6.1/10. This places it as the 10th most difficult out of the 28 large AP classes surveyed. The rating is based on reviews from class alumnae who have experienced the course firsthand.

Pass Rate Data

The pass rate for the AP World History exam is around average compared to other AP classes. Approximately 62% of students graduate with a score of 3 or higher. This indicates that while the course is challenging, a significant number of students are able to successfully navigate the exam.

Course Recommendations

Despite its difficulty, AP World History is widely taken, with 317,000 entries in the previous year. Impressively, 93% of students who took the course would recommend it to others. This suggests that despite the challenges, students find value and fulfillment in studying world history at an advanced level.

Image: AP World History Overview Graphic

Is AP World History Easy or Hard - overview graphic showing data and alumnae ratings with footnotes

Comparison with Other AP Classes

To better understand the difficulty of AP World History, let’s compare it to other AP classes. The following chart provides a visual representation of the difficulty ratings for various AP classes.

Image: AP World History Bubble Chart

bubble graph comparing AP World History with other AP classes

Please note that this chart only includes AP World History and related history classes such as AP US History and AP European History. For a comprehensive ranking of all AP classes from easy to hard, refer to the full article.

Insights from AP World History Alumnae

To gain further insights into the difficulty and experience of AP World History, let’s explore the perspectives of real AP alumnae who have taken the course.

1. The Course is Hard Work

Many alumnae highlight the challenging nature of AP World History. One student acknowledged the difficulty of the course and its reflection of a student’s potential. Another emphasized the importance of understanding the broader context and multiple events occurring simultaneously. Additionally, managing time effectively and grasping the general trends of history were seen as key factors for success.

2. …But Enjoyable

Despite the challenges, many students found AP World History to be an enjoyable and interesting course. Students who stayed focused, kept up with the workload, and practiced writing essays regularly achieved high scores. The course was viewed as rewarding, and students appreciated the opportunity to learn valuable historical knowledge.

3. Understanding the Big Picture Trends

Understanding the overarching trends in history was highlighted as crucial by alumnae. Recognizing common trends between civilizations and comprehending the reasons behind historical events were emphasized. Students were advised to focus on the broader concepts rather than getting caught up in minute details. Making connections between events and analyzing documents efficiently were also important skills mentioned by alumnae.

4. Knowing the Exam Format

Alumnae stressed the significance of understanding the AP World History exam format. Students were advised to practice time management, familiarize themselves with stimulus-based multiple-choice questions, and review student samples and rubrics of essays. By mastering the format and structure of the exam, students could improve their performance.

5. Self-Study Tips

While self-studying for AP World History was considered challenging, it was not impossible. Students recommended starting early, as the course requires extensive content knowledge. Seeking guidance from teachers and utilizing resources like review books, online videos, and condensed topic summaries were suggested. Regular practice, effective time management, and group study sessions were also mentioned as beneficial study methods.

How to Succeed in AP World History: Study Strategies and Resources

Course Outline and Requirements

According to College Board, AP World History focuses on investigating significant events, individuals, developments, and processes from 1200 to the present. The course aims to develop students’ skills in identifying and explaining historical concepts, analyzing primary and secondary sources, making connections between historical developments, constructing evidence-based arguments, and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, continuity, and change.

The AP World History exam consists of three sections. Section 1 comprises multiple-choice questions, accounting for 40% of the exam. Section 2 includes short answer questions, amounting to 20% of the exam. Section 3 involves free-response questions, with 25% dedicated to document-based questions (DBQs) and 15% to long essays (LEQs). The exam duration is 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Image: 2022 Pass Rate Data for AP World History

chart showing 2022 pass rate data for AP World History

Examiners’ Reviews: Insights from AP World History Test Assessors

Examiners’ reviews provide valuable insights into student performance on the AP World History exam.

During the multiple-choice section, students consistently performed well across all units, with slightly higher scores in Units 1-4 (c. 1200-c. 1750) compared to Units 5-6 (c. 1750-c. 1900). Students demonstrated strength in contextualization, while making connections between causation, continuity, and change proved to be more challenging.

In the free-response section, students excelled in analyzing continuities and changes within gender roles in the late 19th century. However, the lowest performance was observed in continuity and change in South or Southeast Asia from 1750 to 1900. It is worth noting that this question had a lower response rate, but those who chose it had a mix of high and low scores.

To achieve better results, students may want to allocate extra study time to Units 5-6, focus on making connections between historical events, and pay specific attention to South(east) Asia from 1750 to 1900.

Image: AP World History Pass Rate and Score Distribution Over Time

chart showing AP World History pass rate and score distribution over time

Recommended Study Strategies

To succeed in AP World History, students should adopt effective study strategies.

Regular practice is key to mastering the content. Completing readings on time, practicing writing prompts, and analyzing documents are essential. Students should also familiarize themselves with the format of the exam and practice time management. Writing essays, including SAQs, DBQs, and LEQs, is crucial for success.

Developing useful study methods is beneficial. Creating cheat sheets with important people, events, and ideas for each time period can aid in memorization. Reading textbooks, quizzing each other, and creating study materials like Kahoots or Quizlets are helpful strategies. Brain mapping, summarizing content, and analyzing sources in study groups are additional techniques that can enhance understanding.

Effective time management is essential. Staying on schedule, dedicating sufficient time to each chapter, and starting preparation early are recommended. Students should make use of online resources such as YouTube channels, practice tests, and review books. Memorizing important concepts and understanding the scoring rubric are vital for achieving high scores.

Image: AP World History Time Required for Study

chart showing AP World History time required for study

Recommended Resources for AP World History

To supplement the learning process, students can utilize various resources to enhance their understanding and preparation for the AP World History exam.

The most popular textbook for test prep and review is Princeton Review, which is used by 55% of students. It has received positive reviews on Amazon.com, with an average rating of 4.6/5.0. Other recommended resources include Crash Course, Barron’s, 5 Steps To A 5, and AMSCO.

Image: AP World History Self-Study Resources

chart showing AP World History self-study resources

Conclusion

AP World History is undeniably a challenging course, but it offers immense value to students who are passionate about world history. Through real student reviews and pass rate data, we have seen that while the difficulty level is quite high, a significant number of students successfully navigate the course and exam. By adopting effective study strategies, utilizing recommended resources, and focusing on understanding the broader trends in history, students can excel in AP World History.