Question 1
Historians reading this source must take into account that
African American Studies Exam Prep
Is AP African American Studies hard?
Most students get a 3 or higher: 79.2% in May 2025 and 77% in 2026. A 5 went to 17.3% in 2025 and 20% in 2026.
| Scored 3 or higher in 2026 | 77% |
|---|---|
| Scored 3 or higher in 2025 | 79.2% of 21,435 students |
| Scored 5 in 2026 | 20% |
| Mean score in 2025 | 3.41 |
What makes it hard
- Breadth: from ancient African societies to the present, across history, literature, the arts and the social sciences.
- Reading sources: every multiple-choice set starts from a text, an image or data.
- Writing: a short answer needs a specific example, and the document-based question needs a thesis and reasons why each source says what it does.
Try a question
Thomas R. Gray, a white Virginia lawyer, and Nat Turner, leader of a revolt in Southampton County, Virginia, pamphlet published in Baltimore, 1831
Source 1: Gray's introduction
Since his confinement, by permission of the Jailor, I have had ready access to him, and finding that he was willing to make a full and free confession of the origin, progress and consummation of the insurrectory movements of the slaves of which he was the contriver and head; I determined for the gratification of public curiosity to commit his statements to writing, and publish them, with little or no variation, from his own words.
Source 2: Turner's confession, as recorded by Gray
And on the 12th of May, 1828, I heard a loud noise in the heavens, and the Spirit instantly appeared to me and said the Serpent was loosened, and Christ had laid down the yoke he had borne for the sins of men, and that I should take it on and fight against the Serpent, for the time was fast approaching when the first should be last and the last should be first.
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Questions people ask
What percentage of students pass AP African American Studies?
79.2% of 21,435 students scored 3 or higher in May 2025, and 77% in 2026.
What share of AP African American Studies students earn a 5?
17.3% in May 2025 and 20% in 2026.