2024 AP Art History Exam Guide

Your Guide to the 2025 AP Art History Exam

We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP Art History exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2025 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day. Unlock Cram Mode for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions. 

Format of the 2025 AP Art History Exam

Going into test day, this is the exam format to expect:

• 80 multiple-choice questions with 60 minutes to complete them.
  • There will be around 40 questions put together in sets of 3-6 that will be based around color images of works of art.
  • There will also be around 40 individual questions centered around color images of works of art.
• 6 free-response questions with 120 minutes to complete them.
  • Question 1 is a long essay focusing on comparison. You should spend ~35 minutes on this question.
  • Question 2 is another long essay focusing on visual and contextual analysis. It is recommended you devote 25 minutes to this response.
  • Questions 3-6 are short essay questions and it is recommended that you spend 15 minutes on each one.
    • Question 3 focuses on describing using visual analysis.
    • Question 4 is based on describing using contextual analysis.
    • Question 5 focuses on attribution.
    • Question 6 is based on analyzing continuity and change. 👉 Check out the 2023 AP Art History Free-Response Section posted on the College Board site.

Scoring Rubric for the AP Art History Exam

View an example set of questions and the corresponding scoring guidelines from the College Board to get an idea of what they look for in your responses!

Check out our study plan below to find resources and tools to prepare for your AP Art History exam.

When is the 2025 AP Art History Exam and How do I Take it?

Tests will be taken in person at your school. Here is what we know from College Board so far:

• • The exam date will be in-person and on paper at your school on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8 am, your local time. You will have 3 hours to take the exam. We will have more updates from the College Board soon, but as of now this is what we know!

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How Should I Prepare for the Exam?

• First, download the AP Art History Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses!
• We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.
• Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via Cram Mode. Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.

Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment

Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized. 

🖥 Create a study space.

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

📚 Organize your study materials.

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.

The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

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AP Art History 2025 Study Plan

🗿 Unit 1: Global Prehistory, 3000–500 BCE

Unit Summary:

The artists of the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods didn't have access to the same materials that we do nowadays, and instead used media, or materials, that were readily available, like natural pigments, stone, and bone. Also, people had very little time to create art before the specialization of labor, which is when people were assigned specific jobs and responsibilities. This makes the artistic works of this unit all the more impressive (cue the round of applause 👏).

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 1 Overview: Global Prehistory, 30,000-500 BCE
• 1.1 Cultural Influences on Prehistoric Art 
• 1.2 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Prehistoric Art 
• 1.3 Theories and Interpretations of Prehistoric Art 
• 1.4 Unit 1 Required Works

If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻 Learn about the best prep books so you can start studying early:

• Best AP Art History Textbooks and Prep Books

🏛 Unit 2: Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE–300 CE

Unit Summary:

When people ask AP Art History students about their favorite work in the course, many of them say ones from this unit, and with good reason. The ancient Mediterranean is home to some of the most renowned artworks and historical sites of all time, like the Pyramids of Giza and the Colosseum. The people of this area also developed new artistic techniques that are used to this day, showing the influence of groups like the Mesopotamians, Greeks, and Romans on art throughout history.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 2 Overview: Ancient Mediterranean, 3500-300 BCE

• 2.1 Cultural Contexts of Ancient Mediterranean Art 

• 2.2 Interactions Across Cultures in Ancient Mediterranean Art 

• 2.3 Purpose and Audience in Ancient Mediterranean Art 

• 2.4 Theories and Interpretations of Ancient Mediterranean Art 

• 2.5 Unit 2 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE-300 CE [Part 1]

• Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE-300 CE [Part 2]

• Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE-300 CE [Part 3]

• Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE-300 CE [Part 4]

If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻 It is never to early to want to prepare for the exam:

• How to Get a 5 in AP Art History

⛪️ Unit 3: Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200–1750 CE

Unit Summary:

Now that the Roman Empire and ancient civilizations of unit 2 have fallen (or at least settled down a little bit), we get to discover their respective countries and some new ones, too! This unit will go over the artistic movements of Europe from 200 to 1750 CE and explain how peoples' conversions to religions like Christianity and Islam and historical events influenced the art made there. Later in the unit, we'll also get to travel to European-conquered areas of the Americas and see how those traditions have syncretized with the continent's native artistic traditions. 

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 3 Overview: Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200-1750 CE

• 3.1 Cultural Contexts of Early European and Colonial American Art 

• 3.2 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Early European and Colonial American Art 

• 3.3 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Early European and Colonial American Art 

• 3.4 Purpose and Audience in Early European and Colonial American Art 

• 3.5 Theories and Interpretations of Early European and Colonial American Art 

• 3.6 Unit 3 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200-1750 CE [Part 1]

• Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200-1750 CE [Part 2]

• Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200-1750 CE [Part 3]

• Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200-1750 CE [Part 4]

⚔️ Unit 4: Later Europe and Americas, 1750–1980 CE

Unit Summary:

In this unit, we'll get to see how different historical events and social problems from 1750 to 1980 have influenced the art made in each period and how that has influenced the works that we see today. We'll also get to see artists in each movement break traditional rules by choosing to depict subjects that have never been painted before, create new techniques, use newly invented media, and expose issues that have historically not been acknowledged.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 4 Overview: Later Europe and Americas, 1750-1980 CE

• 4.1 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Later European and American Art 

• 4.2 Purpose and Audience in Later European and American Art 

• 4.3 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Later European and American Art 

• 4.4 Theories and Interpretations of Later European and American Art 

• 4.5 Unit 4 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Later Europe and Americas, 1750-1980 CE [Part 1]

• Later Europe and Americas, 1750-1980 CE [Part 2]

• Later Europe and Americas, 1750-1980 CE [Part 3]

• Cultural Interactions in Later European and American Art [Part 1]

• Cultural Interactions in Later European and American Art [Part 2]

• Purpose and Audience in Later European and American Art [Part 1]

• Purpose and Audience in Later European and American Art [Part 2]

• Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Later European and American Art

🌽 Unit 5: Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE –1980 CE

Unit Summary:

We're going to move on to some of the cultures that weren't covered in that section. In unit 5, we'll be exploring works made by indigenous (native) American artists, both before and after European colonization (pre-Columbian and post-Columbian), and see how the region's distinctive cultures have influenced the art made there. As we go through this unit, be sure to make note of the similarities and differences that you see between these works and those made by mestizo (part indigenous, part European) artists in Unit 4.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 5 Overview: Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE-1980 CE

• 5.1 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Indigenous American Art 

• 5.2 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Indigenous American Art 

• 5.3 Purpose and Audience in Indigenous American Art

• 5.4 Theories and Interpretations of Indigenous American Art 

• 5.5 Unit 5 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE-1980 CE [Part 1]

• Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE-1980 CE [Part 2]

⚱️ Unit 6: Africa, 1100–1980 CE

Unit Summary:

With more than 3,000 different ethnic groups and 2,100 languages spoken on the continent 🗣️, Africa is extremely ethnically diverse, and we can see this through its art. Unlike in Europe, where art styles vary by nation or region (Central Europe, Western Europe, etc.), African art can look completely different in neighboring villages because of religious, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic dissimilarities. 

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 6 Overview: Africa, 1100-1980 CE

• 6.1 Cultural Contexts of African Art 

• 6.2 Purpose and Audience in African Art 

• 6.3 Theories and Interpretations of African Art 

• 6.4 Unit 6 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Africa, 1100-1980 CE [Part 1]

• Africa, 1100-1980 CE [Part 2]

🕌 Unit 7: West and Central Asia, 500 BCE–1980 CE

Unit Summary:

Unit 7 may be one of the shortest units in AP Art History at 11 required works, but it still packs a mighty punch. The works from West and Central Asia are incredibly diverse in media (materials used to create a work), function, and pretty much every other identifier, which is why so many AP Art History students enjoy this part of the course. 

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 7 Overview: West and Central Asia, 500 BCE-1980 CE 
• 7.1 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in West and Central Asian Art 
• 7.2 Purpose and Audience in West and Central Asian Art 
• 7.3 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in West and Central Asian Art
• 7.4 Unit 7 Required Works

🛕 Unit 8: South, East, and Southeast Asia, 300 BCE–1980 CE

Unit Summary:

In unit 7, we learned about West and Central Asia, but now, we're going to move east to the areas that we haven't explored yet; welcome to South, East, and Southeast Asia! In this unit, you'll learn about the influence of different religions and philosophies on people's beliefs and how this translates to their artworks. We'll also learn more about cross-cultural interactions on the continent between Europeans and native groups, and how this led to artistic syncretism (fusion of different cultures).

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 8 Overview: South, East, and Southeast Asia, 300 BCE-1980 CE 
• 8.1 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in South, East, and Southeast Asian Art 
• 8.2 India and Southeast Asia
• 8.3 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in South, East, and Southeast Asian Art 
• 8.4 Japan
• 8.5 Unit 8 Required Works

🐚 Unit 9: The Pacific, 700–1980 CE

Unit Summary:

Spread across approximately 25,000 islands, the Pacific region is one of the most expansive and remote places studied in AP Art History. Because of this unique characteristic, many of its people have not had contact with those living in nearby areas, keeping artistic styles to their islands of origin and not allowing for syncretism (the blending of elements from another region into native art). 

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 9 Overview: The Pacific, 700-1980 CE 

• 9.1 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Pacific Art 

• 9.2 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Pacific Art 

• 9.3 Theories and Interpretations of Pacific Art 

• 9.4 Unit 9 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Pacific Art

• Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Pacific Art [Focus: Polynesia]

• Theories and Interpretations of Pacific Art [Focus: Polynesia & Melanesia]

🏢 Unit 10: Global Contemporary, 1980 CE to Present

Unit Summary:

This is the final unit of AP Art History (cue the round of celebratory applause 👏 )! Unit 10 is a great way to finish off this course because its works are unlike any that we've seen previously with respect to theme, media (things used to make a work), and technique. Unfortunately, though, contemporary art (art made in the second half of the 20th or the 21st century) gets a bad rap from many viewers.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 10 Overview: Global Contemporary, 1980 CE to Present 

• 10.1 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Global Contemporary Art 

• 10.2 Purpose and Audience in Global Contemporary Art 

• 10.3 Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Global Contemporary Art - coming soon

• 10.4 Theories and Interpretations of Global Contemporary Art 

• 10.5 Unit 10 Required Works 🎥Watch these videos from the College Board:

• Purpose and Audience in Global Contemporary Art [Part 1]

• Purpose and Audience in Global Contemporary Art [Part 2]

• Purpose and Audience in Global Contemporary Art [Part 3]

• Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Contemporary Art [Part 1]

• Interactions Within and Across Cultures in Contemporary Art [Part 2]

If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻 Use these Quizlet decks to help you study for the exam:  

• Best Quizlet Decks for AP Art History