Introduction to AP World History: Modern

Introduction to AP World History: Modern

Advanced Placement World History: Modern, often abbreviated as AP World History or WHAP, is a rigorous college-level course offered to high school students through the College Board's Advanced Placement Program in the United States. This course aims to equip students with a profound understanding of the patterns and processes that have shaped human history from approximately 1200 CE to the present. It focuses on fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and a nuanced comprehension of historical evidence. The curriculum was revised in 2015 to concentrate on the modern era, with the updated course beginning in the 2019–20 academic year. To address historical periods prior to 1200 CE, the College Board has introduced a new course, AP World History: Ancient.

Curriculum Framework and Themes of AP World History: Modern

The AP World History: Modern curriculum is organized into four chronological periods, subdivided into nine units that provide a thematic structure for the course content. Period 1, covering circa 1200 to circa 1450, includes Units 1 and 2, which examine the Global Tapestry and Networks of Exchange. Period 2, spanning circa 1450 to circa 1750, consists of Units 3 and 4, delving into Land-Based Empires and Transoceanic Interconnections. Period 3, from circa 1750 to circa 1900, is made up of Units 5 and 6, which focus on Revolutions and the Industrialization and Its Effects. The final Period 4, extending from circa 1900 to the present, is comprised of Units 7 through 9, exploring Global Conflicts, the Cold War and Decolonization, and Contemporary Globalization. This structure facilitates a comprehensive understanding of world history through both a chronological and thematic lens, enabling students to grasp the interconnectedness of global events and trends.

Assessment Structure of the AP World History: Modern Exam

The AP World History: Modern examination is structured in two sections. Section I contains 55 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 55 minutes, making up 40% of the exam score. These questions are based on the nine units but are not distributed equally. Section I, Part B, consists of three short-answer questions to be completed in 40 minutes, contributing 20% to the overall score. Section II, lasting 100 minutes, includes a Document-Based Question (DBQ) and a Long Essay Question (LEQ). The DBQ, which should take 60 minutes including a 15-minute reading period, accounts for 25% of the total score. The LEQ, to be written in 40 minutes, comprises 15% of the score. The exam's format is designed to assess students' abilities to analyze historical documents, synthesize information, and articulate well-supported arguments, similar to the AP United States History and AP European History exams.

Performance Trends and Scoring for the AP World History Exam

The AP World History exam, established in 2002, has undergone several changes to improve its assessment methods, including the elimination of penalties for incorrect answers and a reduction in the number of answer choices in 2011. Historical data on grade distributions reveal that scoring a 5, the highest possible score, is quite challenging, indicative of the course's collegiate rigor. Trevor Packer, Senior Vice President of AP and Instruction at the College Board, has remarked that the lower frequency of top scores is partly due to the demanding analytical writing skills required, which are often still developing in high school sophomores. Nonetheless, the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher has consistently been above 50%, suggesting that the majority of test-takers achieve a level of proficiency or higher. The mean score and standard deviation of exam results across different cohorts provide additional insights into student performance trends over time.