APUSH Score Calculator

How It Works

The AP U.S. History exam consists of four main sections: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Short Answer Questions (SAQ), a Document-Based Question (DBQ), and a Long Essay Question (LEQ). Each section tests different skills and contributes to your final score of 1 to 5.

By default, this calculator uses the following approximate weights: MCQ 40%, SAQ 20%, DBQ 25%, and LEQ 15%. These weights reflect common exam structures, though you can customize them in the Advanced Settings panel to match specific practice exams or teacher-provided curves.

The formula is straightforward: we calculate each section's percentage (earned ÷ total), multiply by the section weight, sum them all to get a weighted raw percentage, then map that percentage to the 1–5 score bands. The default bands are approximate and not official—actual College Board curves vary each year based on overall student performance.

Inputs Explained

• MCQ Correct and Total: Enter the number of multiple choice questions you answered correctly out of the total number (typically 55). This section tests your factual knowledge and analytical skills across U.S. history periods.
• SAQ Points: Input your rubric points earned on the Short Answer Questions. Most exams have 3–4 SAQs worth a combined 24 points, with each question scored on a simple rubric.
• DBQ Rubric Points: The Document-Based Question is typically scored out of 7 points using a detailed rubric covering thesis, contextualization, evidence use, analysis, and complexity.
• LEQ Rubric Points: The Long Essay Question is generally scored out of 6 points, evaluating your ability to construct a historical argument with evidence and reasoning.
• Advanced Settings: Adjust section weights if your practice exam uses different percentages, or customize the score band thresholds if you have a specific curve to match.

Example Calculation

Let's walk through a sample calculation with these scores:

• MCQ: 38 out of 55 → 38 ÷ 55 ≈ 69.1%
• SAQ: 15 out of 24 → 15 ÷ 24 ≈ 62.5%
• DBQ: 5 out of 7 → 5 ÷ 7 ≈ 71.4%
• LEQ: 4 out of 6 → 4 ÷ 6 ≈ 66.7%

Using the default weights (MCQ 40%, SAQ 20%, DBQ 25%, LEQ 15%), the weighted raw percentage is:

(0.691 × 0.40) + (0.625 × 0.20) + (0.714 × 0.25) + (0.667 × 0.15) ≈ 0.686 = 68.6%

With the default curve, 68.6% falls in the 60–74% band, yielding an estimated score of 3.

Tips & Notes

• Curves Vary: College Board adjusts the curve each year based on overall student performance. Use this calculator as a study tool, not a guarantee of your official score.
• Focus on Essays: Try adjusting your DBQ and LEQ scores upward in the calculator—you'll often see a significant impact on your estimated score. Improving your essay writing can be a high-leverage study strategy.
• Match Your Teacher's Curve: If your teacher has shared a specific curve or weighting from past exams, use the Advanced Settings to replicate it and get a more accurate practice estimate.
• Practice with Real Prompts: Combine this calculator with official College Board practice exams and scoring guidelines to benchmark your progress realistically.
• Track Progress: Use the Share Link feature to save snapshots of different practice exams and monitor your improvement over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

This APUSH Score Calculator is an educational tool provided for informational and practice purposes only. The estimated scores are unofficial and based on approximate scoring curves that may differ from actual College Board curves, which vary each year. CalculatorBolt is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the College Board or the Advanced Placement Program. Always refer to your official AP score report for your actual exam results.

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