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The 6 Best Ways to Prepare for the LEQ APUSH Section

Pencil and paper LEQ APUSH writing-magoosh

What Is the LEQ APUSH Section?

The LEQ APUSH section (a.k.a. the long essay question section) is worth 15% of your overall score. It asks you to choose one of two prompts. Then, you need to write a solid essay within the 35 allotted minutes. The essay should demonstrate one of the historical thinking skills . Here are the 6 best ways that you can prepare in order to ace the LEQ APUSH section.

1. Dissect the Question

Start by analyzing the question. Find out what the question is asking you to do. You need to make sure that you answer every part of it.

Go through the question and circle all the directive words, such as analyze , compare/contrast , or assess .

There may be a few trick directives in the question. These are there to distract you from the topics you really need to address. Pay attention, and read closely to determine what the question is really asking you to answer.

2. Craft a Solid Thesis

One of the most important parts of any essay is the thesis. Why? Because it is the outline to your paper. Your thesis tells the reader what your stance is on the issue, what you’re going to compare and contrast, etc. Then, it tells the reader which supporting details you will discuss further.

Practice crafting a thesis that won’t just reiterate the question. Be prepared to answer every part of the question, with relevant evidence to support your ideas.

3. Create an Outline

Once you have your thesis, you have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to discuss throughout your essay. Take a minute to brainstorm ideas. It could be a cluster, bulleted list, or other way to get your ideas on paper.

Then, jot down an outline with a few notes to remind you what you want to include in each paragraph. Refer to your outline while writing the essay. This will allow you to attack the question methodically to help you earn more points.

4. Use Historical Lingo

Since your essay should prove to graders that you know what you’re talking about, try to use as much historical lingo as possible. Of course, you need to use it correctly. Study the vocabulary so you can speak as an expert on American history.

5. Make Connections

The paragraph before your conclusion should be used to make connections to a different historical period , geographical area, or theme. Don’t just make the comparison. Take some time to develop the idea, so you can describe the period (or theme, geographical area, etc.) and discuss why you chose it.

6. Practice Good Writing Techniques

Don’t simply spill all your good ideas on the paper. You need to use good writing techniques, and pay attention to your spelling, grammar, capitalization, and so on. Some of the common things to watch for include:

  • Active voice (not passive voice)
  • Third person
  • Strong verbs
  • Descriptive adjectives and adverbs

Refrain from using abbreviations, casual language, or a lot of fluff. Keep your essay concise as you answer the question.

As you work on these 6 things, practice writing solid essays for the LEQ APUSH section. Have a friend or teacher check your writing to help you determine what you can do to improve. You can also refer to the College Board’s LEQ scoring guidelines and commentary for examples that can guide your writing, and help you ace the LEQ APUSH section. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Jamie Goodwin

Jamie graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a degree in English Education. She spent several years teaching and tutoring students at the elementary, high school, and college level. She currently works as a contract writer and curriculum developer for online education courses. In her free time, she enjoys running and spending time with her boys!

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AP®︎/College US History

Course: ap®︎/college us history   >   unit 10.

  • AP US History periods and themes
  • AP US History multiple choice example 1
  • AP US History multiple choice example 2
  • AP US History short answer example 1
  • AP US History short answer example 2
  • AP US History DBQ example 1
  • AP US History DBQ example 2
  • AP US History DBQ example 3
  • AP US History DBQ example 4

AP US History long essay example 1

  • AP US History long essay example 2
  • AP US History long essay example 3
  • Preparing for the AP US History Exam (5/4/2016)
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Video transcript

Fiveable

Find what you need to study

2024 APUSH Exam Guide

14 min read • august 18, 2023

A Q

Your Guide to the 2024 AP US History Exam

We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP US History exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2024 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day.  Unlock Cram Mode  for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions. FYI, something cool is coming your way Fall 2023! 👀

Format of the 2024 AP US History Exam

Going into test day, this is the exam format to expect:

Multiple Choice Section - 40% of your score

55 questions in 55 minutes

Short Answer Section - 20% of your score

3 questions in 40 minutes

Free-Response Section - 40% of your score

2 questions in 1 hour and 40 minutes

Document-Based Question | 1 hour | 25% of your score

Long Essay | 40 minutes | 15% of your score

Scoring Rubric for the 2024 AP US History exam

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-YDG83v9QReYH.png?alt=media&token=1096ad9c-40fe-4d4e-a549-0d0546020926

📖 DBQ, LEQ, & SAQ Rubrics Points Explained

Check out our study plan below to find resources and tools to prepare for your AP US History exam.

When is the 2024 AP US History Exam and How Do I Take It?

You will have 3 hours and 15 minutes to take the exam.

How Should I Prepare for the APUSH Exam?

First, download the AP United States History Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses! 

We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.

Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via  Cram Mode . Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.

Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment

Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.

🖥 Create a study space.

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

📚 Organize your study materials.

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.

The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

🤝 Get support from your peers.  

There are thousands of students all over the world who are preparing for their AP exams just like you! Join  Rooms  🤝 to chat, ask questions, and meet other students who are also studying for the spring exams. You can even build study groups and review material together! 

AP US History 2024 Study Plan

🌽 unit 1: period 1, 1491-1607, big takeaways:.

Unit 1 introduces the Americas as a place of interaction. It first discusses the diversity of Native Americans prior to contact with Europeans (symbolized by 1491, the year before Columbus). Then, the unit pivots into interactions between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans as well as between rival European powers. It ends in 1607 with the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. 

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

1.0 Overview of Unit 1

1.1 European Encounters in the Americas

1.2 Native American Societies Before European Contact

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas

1.4 Columbian Exchange, Spanish Exploration, and Conquest

1.5 Labor, Slavery, and Caste in the Spanish Colonial System

1.6 Cultural Interactions Between Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans

1.7 Causation in Period 1

🎥 Watch these videos:

Unit 1 Full Review: A full review of the main concepts, plus practice questions

  • Interactions Between Native Americans and Europeans : A deeper dive into interactions during Period 1

📰 Check out these Fiveable study guides:

Native American Societies Before European Contact

  • Cultural Interactions Between Europeans, Native Americans, & Africans  
  • Labor, Slavery, and Caste in the Spanish Colonial System
  • Columbian Exchange, Spanish Exploration, & Spanish Conquest

If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

📰 Check out these articles: 

How the Humble Potato Changed the World (BBC)

The Columbian Exchange Should Be Called the Columbian Extraction (JSTOR)

The Americas to 1620 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

🦃 Unit 2: Period 2, 1607-1754

Unit 2 dives more into the European colonization of the Americas. This involves comparing European countries to each other and then mostly focusing on the English who settled much of what would later become the United States of America. The rise of African slavery and continued interactions and conflict with Native Americans also plays an important role. 

2.0 Overview of Unit 2

2.1 Contextualizing Period 2

2.2 European Colonization

2.3 The Regions of British Colonies

2.4 Transatlantic Trade

2.5 Interactions Between American Indians and Europeans

2.6 Slavery in the British Colonies

2.7 Colonial Society and Culture

2.8 Comparison in Period 2

Unit 2 Full Review : A full review of the main concepts

  • Colony Comparison : A deeper dive into the different British North American colonies during unit 2
  • The Impact of African Slavery on the Colonies : A deeper dive into coercive labor systems in unit 2

Period 2 Interactions Between Europeans and Native Americans 

  • Transatlantic Trade  
  • Colonial Society & Culture

📰 Check out these articles:

Jamestown and the Founding of English America (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

The Puritans and Dissent: The Cases of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

The Origins of Slavery (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

🇺🇸 Unit 3: Period 3, 1754-1800

Unit 3 sees the creation of the United States as a country out of thirteen British North American colonies. The unit then covers the early Republic, focusing on the creation of the Constitution, the first federal government, and the administrations of Washington & Adams.

3.0 Overview of Unit 3

3.1 Contextualizing Period 3

3.2 The Seven Years’ War (The French and Indian War)

3.3 Taxation Without Representation

3.4 Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

3.5 The American Revolution

3.6 The Influence of Revolutionary Ideals

3.7 The Articles of Confederation

3.8 The Constitutional Convention and Debates over Ratification

3.9 The Constitution

3.10 Shaping a New Republic

3.11 Developing an American Identity

3.12 Movement in the Early Republic

3.13 Continuity and Change in Period 3

Unit 3 Full Review: A full review of the main concepts

  • Key Documents and Foundations of the American Revolution : Review the American revolution and practice your HIPP analysis for the DBQ
  • Historical Thinking Skills in Period 3 : Review using the skills the exam tests
  • The American Revolution

Unit 3 Overview: Contextualization 

  • Continuity and Change in Period 3  
  • The American Revolution  
  • The Influence of Revolutionary Ideals

The American Revolution, 1763–1783 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

The New Nation, 1783–1815 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

The Legal Status of Women, 1776–1830 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

Unruly Americans in the Revolution (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

Developing an American Identity (Fiveable Study Guide)

🚂 Unit 4: Period 4, 1800-1848

Unit 4 is when the United States begins to grow into its own identity as a country. It includes massive expansions of democracy through Jefferson & Jackson, the economic and social upheaval of the Market Revolution and Second Great Awakening, and also sees continued migration westward.

4.0 Overview of Unit 4

4.1 Contextualizing Period 4

4.2 The Rise of Political Parties and the Era of Jefferson

4.3 Politics and Regional Interests

4.4 America on the World Stage

4.5 Market Revolution: Industrialization

4.6 Market Revolution: Society and Culture

4.7 Expanding Democracy

4.8 Jackson and Federal Power

4.9 The Development of an American Culture

4.10 The Second Great Awakening

4.11 An Age of Reform

4.12 African Americans in the Early Republic

4.13 The Society of the South in the Early Republic

4.14 Causation in Period 4

Putting Period 4 in Context

  • The Rise of Political Parties
  • The Market Revolution
  • The First & Second Great Awakenings & Antebellum Reform Movements
  • Manifest Destiny and Its Impacts

Unit 4 Overview: Contextualization  

  • Expansion of Democracy  
  • America on the World Stage in Period 4
  • The Age of Reform

The South in the Early Republic (Fiveable Study Guide)

Context: Development of the Republic (Fiveable Study Guide)

National Expansion and Reform, 1815–1860 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

The First Age of Reform (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

Abolition and Antebellum Reform (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

The Seneca Falls Convention (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

Causation in Period 4 (Fiveable Study Guide)

💣 Unit 5: Period 5, 1844-1877

Unit 5 is all about the Civil War: the road to the Civil War, the war itself, and its aftermath called Reconstruction. Westward expansion and migration/immigration continue to be a big deal during this time period, and conflicts over slavery and rights for African Americans dominate the political discussions. 

5.0 Overview of Unit 5

5.1 Contextualizing Period 5

5.2 Manifest Destiny

5.3 The Mexican–American War

5.4 The Compromise of 1850

5.5 Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences

5.6 Failure of Compromise

5.7 Election of 1860 and Secession

5.8 Military Conflict in the Civil War

5.9 Government Policies During the Civil War

5.10 Reconstruction

5.11 Failure of Reconstruction

5.12 Comparison in Period 5, 1844-1877

Period 5 Review : A complete review of all the major concepts

  • Putting Period 5 in Context
  • The Election of 1860

Government Policies During the Civil War 

  • Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences  
  • The Compromise of 1850  
  • The Failure of Compromise  
  • Reconstruction

Context: Sectional Conflict (Fiveable Study Guide)

  • The 1860 Election & Secession (Fiveable Study Guide)
  • Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The Contentious Election of 1876 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Government Policies During the Civil War (Fiveable Study Guide)

💰 Unit 6: Period 6, 1865-1898

Unit 6 overlaps with Period 5, but it begins after the Civil War and is not as focused on Reconstruction. Its main focus is the Second Industrial Revolution, sometimes called the Gilded Age in the United States, and on the Western United States.

6.0 Overview of Unit 6

6.1 Contextualizing Period 6

6.2 Westward Expansion: Economic Development

6.3 Westward Expansion: Social and Cultural Development

6.4 The “New South”

6.5 Technological Innovation

6.6 The Rise of Industrial Capitalism

6.7 Labor in the Gilded Age

6.8 Immigration and Migration in the Gilded Age

6.9 Responses to Immigration in the Gilded Age

6.10 Development of the Middle Class

6.11 Reform in the Gilded Age

6.12 Controversies over the Role of Government in the Gilded Age

6.13 Politics in the Gilded Age

6.14 Continuity and Change in Period 6

Review of Period 6 : A complete review of all the major concepts

  • The Rise of Industrialization & City Life during the Gilded Age

The Rise of Industrial Capitalism 

  • Immigration & Migration  
  • Labor in the Gilded Age
  • Westward Expansion: Social & Cultural Developments

Responses to Immigration (Fiveable Study Guide)

  • The Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900 (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The Gilded Age (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Immigration & Migration (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Born Modern: An Overview of the West (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Politics in the Gilded Age (Fiveable Study Guide)

🌎 Unit 7: Period 7, 1890-1945

Unit 7 is a massive unit, so you need to keep an eye on both domestic and foreign policy. Foreign policy becomes a big deal thanks to US involvement in several wars, including the two World Wars. Domestically, the Progressive Era tries to tackle the problems of the Gilded Age, plus there is the massive up and down of the “Roaring” 1920s and then the Great Depression and New Deal of the 1930s. 

7.0 Overview of Unit 7

7.1 Contextualizing Period 7

7.2 Imperialism: Debates

7.3 The Spanish-American War

7.4 The Progressives

7.5 World War I: Military and Diplomacy

7.6 World War I: The Home Front

7.7 1920s: Innovations in Communication and Technology

7.8 1920s: Cultural and Political Controversies

7.9 The Great Depression

7.10 The New Deal

7.11 Interwar Foreign Policy

7.12 World War II: Mobilization

7.13 World War II: Military

7.14 Postwar Diplomacy

7.15 Comparison in Period 7

USA’s Shift Toward Empire Building

  • Early 20th Century Progressive Era & World War One
  • 1920s & 1930s: An Overview
  • The Great Depression & New Deal

Unit 7 Overview & Context 

  • 1920s Cultural & Political Controversies 
  • The Great Depression 
  • World War Two: Military

Context: America in the World (Fiveable Study Guide)

  • 1920s Innovations (Fiveable Study Guide)
  • Postwar Diplomacy (Fiveable Study Guide)
  • The Politics of Reform: An Overview of the Progressives (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • World War I (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The Roaring Twenties (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The Great Depression (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The New Deal (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • World War II (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The World War II Homefront (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Interwar Foreign Policy (Fiveable Study Guide)

🥶 UNIT 8: Period 8, 1945-1980

Unit 8 focuses on the effects of the World Wars, including the Cold War and the Red Scare. This unit also dives into the social movements that happened at this time, namely the Civil Rights Movement, and addresses how this was a period of social transition within the United States, changing the course of future generations. 

8.0 Overview of Unit 8

8.1 Contextualizing Period 8

8.2 The Cold War from 1945 to 1980

8.3 The Red Scare

8.4 The Economy After 1945

8.5 Culture After 1945

8.6 Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s and 1950s)

8.7 America as a World Power

8.8 The Vietnam War

8.9 The Great Society

8.10 The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s)

8.11 The Civil Rights Movement Expands

8.12 Youth Culture in the 1960s

8.13 The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980

8.14 Society in Transition

8.15 Continuity and Change in Period 8

Period 8 & 9 Complete Review

  • The Cold War  
  • Review of Major Events in the 1960s
  • Review of Major Events in the 1970s
  • Introduction to the Civil Rights Movement
  • More details about the Civil Rights Movement
  • The Vietnam War

Period 8 Review

  • The Red Scare 
  • Culture and Economy After 1945 
  • The Civil Rights Movement  
  • Environment and Natural Resources  
  • The Transition of Society  
  • The Great Society  

Contextualizing Period 8 (Fiveable Study Guide)

  • The Civil Rights Movement (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The Korean War (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • The Vietnam War (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Anti-Communism & the Red Scare (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)
  • Continuity & Change of Period 8 (Fiveable Study Guide)

📲 UNIT 9: Period 9, 1980-Present

Unit 9 is the final unit of AP US History, and it covers Reagan and the rise of conservative politics, the end of the Cold War in 1991, as well as the changes in the economy, society, and emigration and migration throughout this period. This unit also contextualizes the challenges faced in the modern-day due to the growth of technology and other aspects of the 21st century.

9.0 Overview of Unit 9

9.1 Contextualizing Period 9

9.2 Reagan and Conservatism

9.3 The End of the Cold War

9.4 A Changing Economy

9.5 Migration and Immigration in the 1990s and 2000s

9.6 Challenges of the 21st Century

9.7 Causation in Period 9

Period 9 Review  

The Changing Economy

Migration and Immigration  

Challenges of the 21st Century

Unit 9 Contextualization (Fiveable Study Guide)

1945 to the Present Day (Gilder Lehrman APUSH Review)

Causation in Unit 9 (Fiveable Study Guide)

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  1. AP United States History Exam

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  5. How to Approach the AP U.S. History Long Essay Question

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