AP European History
Course Information
AP European History is an introductory college-level history course covering Europe from approximately 1450 to the present.
Subject Area: History
UC A-G Area: A – History / Social Science
Course Level: Advanced Placement
Open Terms: Summer & Fall
Enrollment Information
Course Start: 9/16/2026
Course End: 5/5/2027
Class Mode: Onsite/Online
Enrollment Period: 5/1/2026-8/30/2026
Related College Majors
This course provides useful preparation for many quantitative college pathways, including:
History / Political Science / International Relations / European Studies / Global Studies / Economics / Pre-Law / Sociology Anthropology / Journalism
Prerequisites
Students must meet one of the following:
- A 3.5 GPA or higher
- An A in English, or a B in Honors or Pre-AP English
Students should be prepared to read and analyze college-level texts, evaluate primary and secondary sources, and write clear, evidence-based responses. They should also be able to compare historical developments and support their arguments with relevant historical evidence.
Course Units
- Renaissance and Exploration
- Age of Reformation
- Absolutism and Constitutionalism
- Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments
- Conflict, Crisis, and Reaction in the Late 18th Century
- Industrialization and Its Effects
- 19th-Century Perspectives and Political Developments
- 20th-Century Global Conflicts
- Cold War and Contemporary Europe
Comparison Table
2027 AP Exam Information
Exam Date: May 4, 2027 | Exam Duration: 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Section I
Part A: Multiple Choice
55 Questions · 55 Minutes · 40% of Score
Students analyze historical texts, interpretations, images, graphs, maps, and other forms of evidence.
Part B: Short Answer
3 Questions · 40 Minutes · 20% of Score
Students answer all three short-answer questions.
Beginning with the 2027 exam:
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Question 1 includes secondary source material
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Question 2 includes a primary text source
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Question 3 includes a primary or secondary non-text source
Each question focuses on a different historical period.
Section II
2 Questions · 1 Hour 40 Minutes · 40% of Score
Document-Based Question (DBQ)
Recommended Time: 1 Hour · 25% of Score
Students analyze historical documents and develop an argument supported by evidence from the sources and their knowledge of European history.
Long Essay Question (LEQ)
Recommended Time: 40 Minutes · 15% of Score
Students answer one broad historical prompt and develop a defensible argument using relevant evidence.
The updated 2027 format gives students flexibility to select historical developments within the prompt that best support their argument.
Related AP Courses
Explore other AP courses that complement this course and can help you build a broader academic pathway based on your interests, strengths, and future college goals.
AP World History: Modern
Study major global developments, interactions, and connections among societies from approximately 1200 to the present.
AP U.S. History
Examine the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the United States from approximately 1491 to the present.
AP U.S. Government and Politics
Explore the foundations, institutions, political behavior, and constitutional principles of the U.S. political system.
AP Human Geography
Analyze population, political organization, urbanization, economic development, and human interactions across geographic space.
Questions about AP European History
Does AP European History have prerequisites?
College Board does not list a recommended prerequisite for AP European History. Franklin Academy recommends a 3.5 GPA or higher, with strong preparation in English.
What time period does AP European History cover?
AP European History examines European history from approximately 1450 to the present, beginning with the Renaissance and continuing through contemporary Europe.
Is AP European History reading intensive?
Students should be prepared to regularly analyze primary and secondary historical sources and use evidence to develop written historical arguments.
What is the difference between AP European History and AP World History: Modern?
AP European History focuses more deeply on Europe and its historical development, while AP World History: Modern takes a broader global approach and emphasizes comparisons and connections across world regions.
What grade level is AP European History for?
Placement should be based primarily on academic readiness rather than grade level. Strong reading, analytical writing, and source-analysis skills are important for success in the course.
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