APUSH Grade Calculator
Estimate your AP US History exam score. Enter your raw scores for the multiple choice, short answer, DBQ, and long essay sections to see your predicted AP score and find out what you need to earn a 3, 4, or 5.
Your Estimated Results
Enter your scores and click a button to see your results.
What is the APUSH Exam Grade Calculator?
Preparing for the AP US History (APUSH) exam? The APUSH Exam Grade Calculator is a tool that gives you a realistic estimate of what final AP score (on the 1-5 scale) you’ll likely get on exam day. Whether you’ve already completed the multiple-choice section and want to know how your essays need to perform, or you're working backwards from a goal like “I want a 5,” this tool lets you figure that out. Use this APUSH test grade calculator to see how your raw scores combine, what percentage of the exam you’ve already secured, and what you still need to achieve your target.
How the APUSH Exam is Scored
You might be wondering: what sections count the most? The APUSH exam is broken down into four parts, each with a specific weight. Understanding this is key to using any final grade calculator for APUSH. The sections are:
- Multiple Choice (MCQ): 55 questions, worth 40% of your total score.
- Short Answer Questions (SAQ): 3 required questions, scored out of 9 total points, worth 20%.
- Document-Based Question (DBQ): 1 essay analyzing historical documents, scored out of 7 points, worth 25%.
- Long Essay Question (LEQ): 1 essay from a choice of prompts, scored out of 6 points, worth 15%.
User Guide: How to Use the APUSH Exam Grade Calculator
- Find your raw scores for each part of the exam: MCQ, SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ.
- Go to the calculator and fill in the fields for the sections you've completed.
- If you haven't taken all sections, leave the future sections blank and use the “What I Need” option. Select your target score (3, 4, or 5) from the dropdown.
- Click either “Calculate Predicted AP Score” or “Calculate What I Need.”
- Review the detailed breakdown: see the percentage from each section, how much each contributes to your total weighted score, and your projected final AP score.
For more general academic planning, you can use our Percentage to Letter Grade Converter tool or our Final Exam Grade Calculator if you need to factor class assignments into your overall course grade.
AP Score Conversion Table (Approximate)
These ranges are approximate and may shift slightly each year based on the College Board's official curve.
| AP Score | Approximate Composite Score % Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 75% – 100% | Extremely well qualified |
| 4 | 60% – 74% | Well qualified |
| 3 | 45% – 59% | Qualified (Passing) |
| 2 | 30% – 44% | Possibly qualified |
| 1 | Below 30% | No recommendation |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is this APUSH exam grade calculator accurate?
- It provides a strong estimate based on the official section weights and recent scoring curves. However, the final score can vary slightly as the College Board uses scaled scores and adjusts the curve each year based on that specific exam's difficulty.
- How many points do I need on the DBQ to get a 5?
- That entirely depends on your performance on the other sections. This is where the “Calculate What I Need” feature is powerful. Enter your other scores, select "5" as your target, and the tool will tell you the minimum raw points required on the DBQ and LEQ to reach that goal.
- What if I only have my MCQ score?
- You can still use the calculator effectively. Enter your MCQ score, leave the essay sections blank, choose your target AP score (e.g., 4), and click "Calculate What I Need." It will show you the combined score you need from your SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ.