The dreaded DBQ, or "document-based question," is an essay question type on the AP History exams (AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History). For the DBQ essay, you will be asked to analyze some historical issue or trend with the aid of the provided sources, or "documents," as evidence.
The DBQ is an unfamiliar type of in-class essay for many students, but it does not need to be a source of dread or panic. In this guide I'll go over the DBQ's purpose and format, what the documents are and how to use them, how this type of essay is scored, and how to prepare. I'll tell you everything you need torock this unique type of essay!
Note: The rubric, guidelines, and skills tested for all of the History APs are identical; only the historical source material is different.
As a veteran of the DBQ, I'm here to answer all your questions. Why do the AP History exams even have a document-based question? What will it look like on the exam? What are these documents, anyways? Let's dive right in.
This baby is too young to be diving into the DBQ!
The point of the document-based question is not to torment you but actually to put you in the historian's shoes as an interpreter of historical material. Cool, right?
The DBQ is testing your ability to:
This may sound like a tall order, but you probably already use all these skills all the time.
Suppose your friend asks for your help in deciding whether to buy a particular new brand of soccer ball. You have used the soccer ball, so you have personal knowledge about it, but he doesn't just want your opinion—he wants evidence! (Your friend takes buying soccer balls very seriously).
So first, you collect information (your "documents"). These could include:
Next, you'll analyze these "documents" to make a decision about whether the ball is a good purchase for your friend or not. For that, you might:
Buying the right soccer ball might have higher stakes than the AP exam.
If you were going to go back and write an essay for your friend about this after you've reviewed your "documents," your thesis might be something like one of these examples:
Then you would use the "documents" and your outside knowledge (for example, your experience with the soccer ball and your knowledge about soccer) to support that claim.
That's a document-based question! In fact, I would assert that the DBQ is the easiest essay to score highly on in the AP History exams. As overwhelming as it might be now to think about all of that information getting thrown at you at once, think of it this way:
Instead of relying primarily on your knowledge, the DBQ gives you a bunch of sources to use in your analysis. This means you don't have to be worried you'll waste five minutes racking your brain trying to remember the name of that guy who did that thing. It's important to bring in some outside information for a top score, but the main thing you need to do is analyze.
95% of the info you really need is there. You just have to learn how to use it.
Let's move on to test formatting so you know what to expect from document-based questions.
Each of the AP history tests has one DBQ, and it is always the first question in the test booklet for the writing section (Part II of the exam). When you open your booklet and turn to the DBQ, you will see the instructions, the prompt, and then the documents.
You will have a 15-minute reading period, with a recommended 40 minutes of writing time. The test has two essays, and you will have 90 minutes total to plan and write them. You won't be forced to move on from one essay to the other, so be sure to budget your time carefully.
You are not required to use the entire reading/planning period. You can begin writing whenever you wish. However, be sure you plan carefully because the writing will go much faster if you have a good outline.
That covers the general format, but no doubt you want to hear more about these mysterious documents. Stay tuned!
You will receive up to seven sources. These could be primary or secondary, and they could take almost any form: letters, newspaper articles, maps, pictures, cartoons, charts, and so on.
You will need to use all or all but one of the documents in your essay. You should go further in-depth on at least four of the documents. (See the rubric breakdown section below for more details).
For US History, no DBQ will focus exclusively on the time period prior to 1607 or after 1980, although they may focus on a broader time period that includes one of those time periods.
Don't worry, they won't be original copies.
Now that we've discussed the purpose, format, and document protocol of the DBQ, we need to discuss scoring.
How much is the DBQ worth on your exam? And how do those pesky AP graders even score it?
The DBQ is 25% of your total grade. The entire second section of exam is 50% of your grade, and there are two equally weighted essays.
The rubric the graders use is freely available to you on the College Board website.
Don't worry if these look like gibberish to you. I'll break it down briefly here, and go even more in-depth on my article about how to prepare for and write a DBQ.
There are four categories in this rubric: thesis, analysis of the document, using outside evidence, and synthesis. You can score up to seven points.
Just be sure to tie any further analysis back to your main argument!
Still with me? Just remember: the most important thing is having a strong thesis that is supported by the information in the documents and whatever other related information you have around in your brain.
If you are an auditory learner, I recommend this video, which breaks down all the components you need to get a seven.
If this seems like a lot to take in, don't worry. You don't have to get a perfect score on the DBQ to get a five on the AP. Somewhere in the 5-6 range can definitely get you there. To get a 3 on the exam (which still gives you course credit at a lot of colleges), you only need a 3 on the DBQ. (See page eight of this DBQ rubric document.)
Additionally, overall historical accuracy is important but not 100% necessary for every tiny detail of the essay. Anything that is in the documents should be correct, but when you start to bring in outside sources for your DBQ essay on unionization and working conditions and you can't remember if the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was in 1911 or 1912, just pick one and don't sweat it. If minor details are incorrect and don't detract from the overall meaning of the essay, you won't lose points.
Now that you understand the purpose, format, and rubric for document-based questions, I'll give you some tips on how to get the score you're aiming for.
Two things will help you crush the DBQ: prepping beforehand, and hitting all the right notes on test day!
Rock the DBQ like Jimi rocked the 1960s.
As you might expect, the most important thing you can do to prepare is to practice writing this type of essay.
You can find more prep tips in my article on how to write a DBQ.
And there you have it! You are ready to start prepping for success.
Abraham Lincoln believes in you!
I know I just threw a lot of information at you. So here are some key takeaway points:
Need more study resources for AP World History? See our Best AP World History Study Guide or get more practice tests from our complete list.
Need more resources for AP US History? Try this article on the best notes to use for studying from one of our experts. Also check out her review of the best AP US History textbooks!
Or just looking for general information about your upcoming APs? See here for instructions on how to register for AP exams, complete AP test dates, and information on how much AP tests cost (and how to get AP financial aid).
