AP U.S. History
High school students preparing for the AP U.S. History exam.
AP U.S. History surveys the political, social, and economic development of the United States from the colonial era through recent decades. This course organizes lessons chronologically, connecting major events and turning points to the broader themes historians use to interpret them, such as change over time, causation, and continuity. Alongside content lessons, students practice the historical thinking and document-analysis skills the exam requires, including working with primary sources. Writing practice builds toward the short-answer and essay formats used on the exam.
- Suitability
- Typically taken in grades 10 through 12, for students age 13 and older.
- Delivery format
- 100% online, self-paced with scheduled live webinars
- Modules
- 8
- Practice activities
- Included
- Mock examinations
- Included
- Instructor webinars
- Included
Course modules
Lessons move through U.S. history in chronological order, pairing narrative explanations with primary source excerpts so students practice interpreting evidence as they learn the content. Students can move through periods at their own pace and revisit earlier eras when reviewing for cumulative practice.
Colonial period and early settlement
European colonization, colonial society, and early conflicts in North America.
Revolution and the new nation
The path to independence and the formation of early American government.
Expansion and sectional tension
Westward expansion, growing regional differences, and the road to civil war.
Civil War and Reconstruction
Causes and consequences of the Civil War and the reshaping of the nation afterward.
Industrialization and the Gilded Age
Economic growth, urbanization, and reform movements in the late nineteenth century.
The twentieth century and the World Wars
Progressive reform, the World Wars, and their effects on American society.
Postwar and Cold War era
Cold War politics, civil rights movements, and domestic change at midcentury.
Contemporary United States
Political, social, and economic developments from the late twentieth century to today.
Practice format
Practice activities include primary source analysis questions and short-answer prompts organized by historical period, so students can check their grasp of both content and document-based reasoning.
Mock exam format
Mock examinations are structured to reflect the general format and pacing of the real AP U.S. History exam, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer responses, and essay writing based on historical evidence.
Webinar format
Weekly live webinars led by an AP U.S. History Instructor connect major events across periods and model how to build a well-supported historical argument, with time for student questions.
Written questions
Students can submit questions about specific events, documents, or essay approaches through the platform at any time and receive responses through private platform messages, without needing to appear on camera.
Included with these plans
Guided
Adds mock exams, instructor webinars, and written questions for one selected course.
View plan detailsFrequently asked questions
Related resources
Balancing Multiple AP Exams in One Study Season
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AP Exams Overview: How the AP Program Works
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About AP U.S. History
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