The Ultimate Guide to AP World History + Free Study Guide
What to Know, How to Prepare & Free Study Resources
AP World History: Modern covers over 800 years of human history across every continent — from the rise of the Mongol Empire to globalization and climate change. It's one of the most ambitious AP courses, asking you to understand not just what happened, but why it happened and how developments in one region shaped events thousands of miles away.
The good news? The exam rewards thematic thinking over memorization. If you can trace patterns of trade, empire-building, revolution, and cultural exchange across time and place, you're already thinking like the exam wants you to.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Does AP World History: Modern Cover?
The course spans from c. 1200 CE to the present, organized into 9 units across three time periods:
| Unit | Period | Topics | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: The Global Tapestry | c. 1200–1450 | Song China, Dar al-Islam, Byzantine Empire, feudalism, Mongol Empire, African kingdoms, Mesoamerican civilizations | 8–10% |
| 2: Networks of Exchange | c. 1200–1450 | Silk Roads, Indian Ocean trade, trans-Saharan trade, Mongol exchange, spread of religion, Black Death | 8–10% |
| 3: Land-Based Empires | c. 1450–1750 | Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, Ming/Qing, Russian, Tokugawa Japan, gunpowder technology | 12–15% |
| 4: Transoceanic Interconnections | c. 1450–1750 | Maritime exploration, Columbian Exchange, Atlantic slave trade, mercantilism, global silver trade | 12–15% |
| 5: Revolutions | c. 1750–1900 | Enlightenment, American/French/Haitian/Latin American revolutions, nationalism, abolition | 12–15% |
| 6: Consequences of Industrialization | c. 1750–1900 | Industrial Revolution, imperialism, Meiji Japan, migration, capitalism vs. socialism | 12–15% |
| 7: Global Conflict | c. 1900–Present | World Wars, Russian Revolution, totalitarianism, genocide | 8–10% |
| 8: Cold War & Decolonization | c. 1900–Present | Cold War, decolonization in Asia & Africa, proxy wars, apartheid | 8–10% |
| 9: Globalization | c. 1900–Present | Economic globalization, human rights, technology, migration, environmental challenges | 8–10% |
Units 3–6 are the core of the exam, accounting for 48–60% of the multiple-choice section. This is the c. 1450–1900 period — empires, colonialism, revolutions, and industrialization. Prioritize these units, but don't neglect the others.
The Exam Format
The AP World History exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long:
Section I (60% of score)
- Part A — Multiple Choice: 55 questions in 55 minutes. Stimulus-based (primary sources, images, maps, data). Questions appear in sets of 3–4.
- Part B — Short Answer Questions (SAQ): 3 questions in 40 minutes. SAQ 1 (required): secondary source, covers 1200–2001. SAQ 2 (required): primary source, covers 1200–2001. SAQ 3 or 4 (choose one): covers either pre-1750 or post-1750.
Section II (40% of score)
- Part A — Document-Based Question (DBQ): 1 essay in 60 minutes (includes 15-minute reading period). Analyze 7 documents and build an argument.
- Part B — Long Essay Question (LEQ): 1 essay in 40 minutes. Choose 1 of 3 prompts covering different time periods.
Writing makes up 40% of your score. Strong essays with clear theses, specific evidence, and sourcing analysis are what separate high scores from average ones.
Study Tips That Actually Work for AP World History
1. Think Globally, Not Eurocentrically
The biggest mistake students make is over-focusing on European history. The exam covers ALL world regions equally — East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas are just as important as Europe. Make sure your knowledge is balanced.
2. Master the 6 Course Themes
Every question connects to one of six themes: Humans and the Environment (ENV), Cultural Developments (CDI), Governance (GOV), Economic Systems (ECN), Social Interactions (SIO), and Technology (TEC). Practice identifying which theme a question is testing — it helps you frame your analysis.
3. Use HAPP for DBQ Sourcing
For every document you use in the DBQ, analyze it through HAPP: Historical context, Audience, Purpose, and Point of view. You need sourcing analysis for at least 3 documents to earn full points. Make this a habit during practice.
4. Practice Comparison and Causation
The three reasoning processes — Comparison, Causation, and Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT) — are the foundation of every essay prompt. For any major development, ask yourself: What caused it? What changed and what stayed the same? How does it compare to a similar development in another region?
5. Use Specific Evidence, Not Vague Generalizations
"Trade increased between regions" won't earn you points. "The Indian Ocean trade network connected Swahili Coast cities like Kilwa to Indian merchants in Gujarat, exchanging gold, ivory, and textiles" will. Names, dates, places, and concrete details make the difference.
6. Don't Neglect the SAQs
SAQs are worth 20% of your score and are often the easiest points to earn. Answer all parts (a, b, c), use specific evidence, and keep your responses concise. No thesis needed — just direct answers with supporting examples.
Get Your Free AP World History Vocabulary Guide
We created a comprehensive AP World History: Modern Vocabulary & Key Concepts Guide for the 2025–26 exam, and it's completely free.
Here's what's inside:
- 70 essential terms covering all 9 units from c. 1200 to the present
- Clear definitions with historical context and significance
- Key details and examples linking each concept to broader themes
- Unit weight breakdowns showing that Units 3–6 are worth 48–60% of the MC section
- Exam format guide with specific strategies for MC, SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ
- Course theme overview with the 6 thematic threads and 3 reasoning processes
From the Silk Roads to the Cold War to globalization — every concept the AP World History exam tests is covered.
🎀 [Download the Free AP World History: Modern Vocabulary Guide]
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