The Advanced Placement World History (AAPWH) exam assesses students’ understanding of world history from approximately 8000 BCE to the present. The exam consists of multiple-choice and free response questions that allow students to demonstrate their analytic and writing skills. There are three main types of free response questions that may appear on the AAPWH exam: the Document-Based Question (DBQ), the Change Over Time essay (CCOT), and the Comparative essay (COMP). Understanding the unique demands and structure of each type of essay is essential for achieving a high score.
The Document-Based Question, often just called the DBQ, asks students to analyze a set of primary source documents and use them, along with their outside knowledge, to answer a specific question or prompt. The DBQ section is comprised of 7 documents along with the prompt question, which will relate to a key historical development or process in world history. Students have 55 minutes to write their response. A strong DBQ essay will include an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement that directly answers the prompt, body paragraphs that group and analyze the documents to support the thesis, and a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis. Documents cannot simply be summarized – students must analyze authors’ perspectives, compare documents to one another, and relate documents back to the prompt. Outside historical context and examples should also be woven into analysis to achieve the highest scores. Proper citation of documents using their numbers or titles is important. The DBQ tests a student’s ability to thoughtfully examine historical evidence and construct an argument.
The Change Over Time essay, shortened to CCOT, asks students to analyze how a specific historical development or process changed over a significant period of time. Unlike the DBQ, no primary sources are provided – students must rely solely on their world history knowledge. The CCOT prompt will specify the time period of focus, which can span hundreds or even thousands of years. Students have 40 minutes to write an essay response that discusses the stated topic, outlines how it changed over the stated time frame, and analyzes the reasons for and/or results of those changes. Strong CCOT essays divide the changes into clear chronological sections, identify patterns of both continuity and change within each period, and relate changes back to broader historical processes and developments. Like the DBQ, introduction and conclusion paragraphs are necessary along with well-developed body paragraphs and historical examples. The CCOT tests a student’s command of broad global chronologies and their ability to analyze change over the longue durée.
The third type of essay, called the Comparative essay or COMP, requires students to analyze similarities and differences between TWO different topics, regions, peoples or historical developments over a significant period of time. For example, a COMP prompt may ask students to compare economic systems in western Europe and east Asia between 800-1450 CE. Like the CCOT, no source material is provided – answers depend entirely on a student’s reservoir of world history knowledge. Students have 40 minutes to plan and write their COMP response. Strong essays clearly define the scope and parameters of what is being compared based on the prompt, analyze relevant similarities AND differences between the TWO topics specified, and explain why those similarities and/or differences existed based on historical context. Body paragraphs should avoid extensive description in favor of analytical comparisons. Introduction and conclusion paragraphs ensure a clear thesis and full addressing of the prompt. The COMP assesses a student’s ability to think comparatively across cultures and draw reasoned conclusions about connections and divergences over time.
Proper preparation and practice are essential for maximizing scores on AAPWH free response essays. Students should gain intimate familiarity with all key terminology, periods and geographical regions outlined in the course content. Essay structures should be rehearsed through numerous practice writing sessions. Strong time management during the exam is also vital – practice essays help develop speed and focus. Consulting sample student essays, scoring guidelines and teacher feedback improves understanding of what advanced graders expect to see. Successful essays depend most importantly on comprehensive content knowledge of significant global patterns and developments over the entire span of recorded world history. Given its challenge, the AAPWH exam rewards ambitious students seeking to demonstrate their historical thinking skills and grasp of world history’s full scope and complexity. With diligent study, any student can achieve high scores on its demanding essay prompts.