How long are AP exams is one of the most concerning things for the students preparing for AP. Students who want to apply for college need to complete the AP exam. So, it is natural to feel stressed over this. If you are going to take an AP exam or planning to attempt it then knowing the length of the AP exam can be very helpful. You can prepare effectively not only for the questions but for time management as well. In this post, we will discuss everything related to the usual length and structure of AP tests and tips regarding how to manage time so you will complete the test confidently with the maximum number of questions solved with accuracy. Continue reading the following for more information.
Typically, How Long Are AP Exams Can Be?
Usually, most AP exams will last between 2 and 3 hours. You will have one break that separates the test into two sections. Here is a brief overview of AP exam duration:
| Exam | Duration |
|---|---|
| AP Art History | 3 hours |
| AP Biology | 3 hours |
| AP Calculus AB | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP Calculus BC | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP Chemistry | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP Chinese Language and Culture | 2 hours, 1 minute |
| AP Comparative Government and Politics | 2 hours, 30 minutes |
| AP Computer Science A | 3 hours |
| AP Computer Science Principles | 2 hours |
| AP English Language and Composition | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP English Literature and Composition | 3 hours |
| AP Environmental Science | 2 hours, 40 minutes |
| AP European History | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP French Language and Culture | 3 hours, 3 minutes |
| AP German Language and Culture | 3 hours, 3 minutes |
| AP Human Geography | 2 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP Italian Language and Culture | 3 hours, 3 minutes |
| AP Japanese Language and Culture | 2 hours |
| AP Latin | 3 hours |
| AP Macroeconomics | 2 hours, 10 minutes |
| AP Microeconomics | 2 hours, 10 minutes |
| AP Music Theory | 2 hours, 40 minutes |
| AP Physics 1 | 3 hours |
| AP Physics 2 | 3 hours |
| AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
| AP Psychology | 2 hours |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | 3 hours, 3 minutes |
| AP Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 hours |
| AP Statistics | 3 hours |
| AP United States Government and Politics | 3 hours |
| AP United States History | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| AP World History: Modern | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
The first section of the exam usually features multiple-choice questions. You will need to select the correct answer from 4-5 options provided in each question. The score of this section will include the correct answers attempted. There are no penalties for wrong or skipped questions.
The second section usually involves free-response questions, where you’ll create your answers. Depending on the subject, this could mean writing an essay, solving problems, or giving a spoken response.
Structure of AP Exams
Usually, the AP exam has two sections. Most of the time the exam will start with the multiple-choice question section with a free-response section. The level of complication and length of each section is different from test to test. Normally the free response section is longer than the multiple choice section for humanities subjects. For instance, AP English Language and AP English Literature tests have two hours of essay writing and one hour of multiple choice. Learn difference between AP Lit and Ap Lang from our guide.
US and World History have a 55-minute long multiple-choice section with a free response and essay questions section of two hours. The multiple-choice questions for science can be longer than free responses.
Chemistry and Biology have 90 minutes of multiple choice question sections. The free-response is different for both 90 minutes for Biology and 105 minutes for chemistry. The multiple-choice question and free-response sections for math have equal lengths. However, the multiple-choice in the AB Calculus section is longer, taking an hour and 45 minutes compared to an hour and 30 minutes.
The Time Pressure You Will Have To Go Through
Now you will have an idea about how long AP exams can be. Both of the sections for each exam type can put you under a lot of pressure. Here is the detail of the time management pressure you will have to go through.
AP Math Exams
You may want to know how long are AP exams for math subjects are. Math is already stressful for several students. During the AP exam, this can create an insane amount of pressure as the time is limited. The most popular math test is the AP Calculus AB. You will need to answer 30 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes. Also, you cannot use a calculator during this section. Then there will be 15 questions in 45 minutes where you can use a calculator. This may sound like an easy situation but the question can be tough and take quite much time to complete.
The free-response time for Calc AB and AP Statistics is 90 minutes, about 15 minutes for each question. When it comes to Statistics, your answers will include written explanations as well as solving the problems, which is hard to finish.
AP Science Exams
You will need to attempt 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes on AP chemistry and 63 multiple-choice questions. Also the six grid-in questions in 90 minutes for AP Biology. You will have 105 minutes for seven questions for the free response section in chemistry. For 8 questions in Biology, you will get 90 minutes. Don’t take them as granted as the questions are tough and the stress to complete them in limited time will even make them harder. You will have about two hours for the free response section so it is possible to feel fatigued after the first hour.
AP English Exams
When looking for how long AP exams are in English you will find the following details. You will get 55 multiple-choice questions to answer within one hour. There will be two hours to write three essays. The multiple-choice section is hard as you will need to read the essays carefully to answer the questions. You will have only one minute per question.
When you reach the essay section then it will get more difficult. You will have to write three high-quality essays in two hours. You can see why you’d have a hard time cramming three essays into that two-hour block after breaking down each prompt, creating an outline, and then drafting and proofreading them. You will feel more tired after writing for straight two hours. Learn also our our effective AP Exams Prep Strategies to get high AP Scores.
How To Deal With Fatigue For AP Exam
AP exam prep can make you feel tired and overwhelmed. This can lead you to feel fatigued while sitting for the exam. This can affect your performance. Here is how you can overcome the fatigue.
Practice Early and Often
Early and regular practice of multiple-choice and free-response questions is recommended. You should go for at least one full-length practice test to simulate the real experience and build stamina. This will also help you get comfortable with the time management and question format.
Master Multiple Choice
The multiple-choice question section can be tougher because of its fast pace and early start (most exams begin at 8 a.m.). Practice the time section to improve your accuracy and speed. When it is the AP exam day, you can warm up by attempting a few practice questions at home. This will avoid any stress when tackling the MCQ section.
Develop a Free-Response Plan
Tailor your strategy to the subject and your strengths. Some students prefer outlining all responses before writing drafts, while others work on one question at a time. Experiment with past exam questions to find what works best for you.
Be Prepared on Test Day
You will have an idea of how long AP exams can be. So you should feel fresh for the exam day. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a solid breakfast so you will feel fresh, alert, and energized. Most exams require early mornings, so being well-rested is key. Read also our guide on How to Prepare for the AP Exam.
Final Words
AP exams are one of the most important parts of applying for college. They are hard and can put students under a lot of pressure. In this post, we outlined how long are AP exams and the structure of exams. Make sure to understand your weaknesses and work on them. Start preparing for AP exams early so you will not feel overly stressed with the topics and information you have to cover. This is the key to feeling confident and prepared for every exam you’re taking with the help of Ivy Test Prep.
