What Is the Structure of the AP Art History Exam?

Art|Art History

The AP Art History exam is a two-part exam that tests students’ knowledge and understanding of art history from the prehistoric era to the present day. The structure of the exam includes both multiple-choice and free-response questions.

The multiple-choice section requires students to identify works of art, answer questions about works of art, and recognize stylistic characteristics of works of art. The free-response section requires students to analyze works of art in terms of their historical context and stylistic characteristics, as well as to compare and contrast works from different time periods.

The multiple-choice section is composed of 55 questions that must be completed in an hour. Students are asked to identify works of art by title, artist, period, or culture; answer questions about works of art; and recognize stylistic characteristics.

Each question is worth one point for a total score out of 55 points.

The free-response section consists of three essay prompts that must be completed in two hours. Each essay prompt assesses a particular set of skills related to analyzing works of art: identifying formal elements; discussing historical context; comparing and contrasting two or more objects; or analyzing an object’s cultural significance.

Students are expected to make connections between objects from different time periods and cultures in order to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge base.

Scoring:

The AP Art History exam is scored on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score achievable. The multiple-choice section is worth 40% of the overall grade, while the free-response section is worth 60%.

In conclusion, the AP Art History Exam is structured into two sections – one Multiple Choice and one Free Response – totaling three essays that assess the student’s knowledge and ability to analyze works from different time periods and cultures. It is scored on a 5 point scale with 40% coming from the Multiple Choice section and 60% coming from the Free Response section.