OnlyPrepySearch

AP course pathway

AP United States History

Trace the debates, developments, and turning points that shaped the United States from 1491 to the present.

Browse course unitsAll AP courses
Unit outline
9 units
Equivalent
Two-semester introductory U.S. history course
Framework checked
August 14, 2026
Source analysisHistorical reasoningEvidence-based writing

Course content

Explore all 9 units

Weight ranges reflect the official course outline. Individual teachers may sequence the course differently.

9 units

  1. Unit 1Period 1: 1491–16074%–6% of exam score7 topics available
  2. Unit 2Period 2: 1607–17546%–8% of exam score8 topics available
  3. Unit 3Period 3: 1754–180010%–17% of exam score13 topics available
  4. Unit 4Period 4: 1800–184810%–17% of exam score14 topics available
  5. Unit 5Period 5: 1844–187710%–17% of exam score12 topics available
  6. Unit 6Period 6: 1865–189810%–17% of exam score14 topics available
  7. Unit 7Period 7: 1890–194510%–17% of exam score15 topics available
  8. Unit 8Period 8: 1945–198010%–17% of exam score15 topics available
  9. Unit 9Period 9: 1980–Present4%–6% of exam score7 topics available