APUSH Exam Strategies and Rubric Review

Exam Strategy and DBQ/LEQ Rubric Review

If you have limited time (e.g., 5 minutes for an SAQ), prioritize answering the question, even if it means using one-sentence answers.
Adjust the level of detail in your answers based on the remaining time.
Crucially, do not leave any question blank. Always attempt an answer, using the first relevant fact that comes to mind.

Provide context by discussing events approximately 20 years before the prompt's time period.
Avoid using events within the prompt's time period for contextualization, as they can be used as direct evidence.
Using events from the prompt's time as context will negate your ability to use that information as outside evidence.

Include two to three patterns or trends in your thesis.
Do not merely restate the prompt. Attempt to identify broader patterns or trends, even if you are not completely confident in them.
Ensure your explanations are clear enough for someone unfamiliar with the specific subject matter to understand.

You need to accurately explain the main idea of at least three documents.
When explaining the main idea, do not use direct quotes. You must paraphrase the sources.
Link the source to your thesis or argument a minimum of four times to earn the initial evidence point.
For extended analysis (purpose, intended audience, context, POV - HIPP), you only need to analyze two sources.
Choose only one type of HIPP for each of the two sources to analyze.
As you read sources, jot down a quick summary of the main idea in your own words on scrap paper.
Note any potential HIPP elements (context, purpose, etc.) next to the source.

Include at least one piece of outside evidence (but possibly two to be safe).
Present outside evidence similarly to how you would in an LEQ or SAQ: state an event not from the provided documents, define the event, and explain how it supports your argument.

Avoid attempting extended analysis (HIPP) for all seven documents, as it may lead to time constraints.
Instead, choose to either do extended analysis for four or five sources, or focus on describing all sources well and linking them back to your thesis.

Extended analysis requires a third sentence building on the previous analysis. You cannot go right into purpose without linking the source back to your claim first.

Prompts will be clear about whether they are asking about continuity, change, similarity, difference, or cause and effect.
Aim for nuanced answers that show a little of both sides (e.g., a little cause and a little effect, a little continuity, and a little change).
*

The context is the same as in the DBQ. Provide context by discussing events approximately 20 years before the prompt.
Define two patterns and trends in your thesis.
Address the LEQ prompt with the same type of understanding of language as a DBQ
The context is the same as in the DBQ
Requires two pieces of evidence minimum.
4 Facts leads to the complexity point
Aim for at least four pieces of evidence, but ideally five to ensure you get the complexity point.
You do not need a conclusion, but you can use it to restate your thesis or add post-context (20 years after the prompt).

For SAQs involving sources (readings or images):
- One source will require directly referencing the source in the answer.
- Another part of the SAQ will require an outside fact to answer the question.
  *Refence source captions, they clarify the image.
SAQs will hit questions about cause and effect, comparison, continuity, and change.

When faced with two SAQ prompts, quickly read through both and jot down facts you know that apply to each.
Choose the prompt for which you can recall more specific facts, even if you initially felt more comfortable with the other topic.

On the digital exam, the DBQ rubric is presented in bullet points.
When reviewing the SAQ prompts, if you have facts from one over the other you should then answer that one.
Utilize the notes and highlighting functions within the digital exam interface.
When taking notes on sources, note the source number to avoid confusion, as all notes will be compiled in one place.
You can write LEQ and then come back to the DBQ if you desire
Access a score calculator (e.g., on albert.io) to estimate your potential score based on your performance on different sections of the exam.

Don't second guess yourself. Explain as best you can!
Start quickly typing the facts that you do know, and then go back and fine tune them.