Common APUSH Mistakes to Avoid – Why Students Lose Points in AP U.S. History

Why APUSH students lose points even when they know content

APUSH doesn’t test memory only — it tests execution & rubric strategy.

Running out of time
Weak thesis or evidence
Vague SAQ answers
DBQ/LEQ off-rubric writing

Use with Scoring Guide + Score Calculator.

MCQ – 40% of Score

Common APUSH MCQ Mistakes

Mistake #1: Reading once & guessing

Fix — read question twice, identify task first.

Mistake #2: Stucking on hard Qs → losing time

Fix — 60 sec per Q rule + mark/return strategy.

Mistake #3: Choosing “true” but off-task answers

Fix — identify if Q asks cause/effect/context/comparison.

SAQ – Structured Points

Common SAQ Mistakes

Mistake #4: Writing essays instead of A/B/C answers

Fix — 2–4 sentences each, labeled clearly.

Mistake #5: Too vague / no evidence

Fix — name 1 person/event/law & connect to prompt.

Mistake #6: Ignoring stimulus source

Fix — mention author/chart/map relevance.

DBQ – Big Swing Score

Common DBQ Mistakes

Mistake #7: Fact-dump with no argument

Fix — thesis first → docs must prove claim.

Mistake #8: Not using enough documents

Fix — use ≥6 docs + explain relevance. See DBQ Rubric.

Mistake #9: Forgetting outside evidence + sourcing

Fix — add 1–2 outside facts + HIPP sourcing.

LEQ – Argument Skills

Common LEQ Mistakes

Mistake #10: Weak thesis

Fix — Thesis = Period + Topic + 2–3 categories.

Mistake #11: No complexity

Fix — one counter/nuance sentence = 1pt boost.

Mistake #12: Not finishing essay

Fix — 5 planning / 25 writing / 5 check.

STUDY • Improvement

Study Mistakes That Lower APUSH Scores

Only reading notes, no practice
Using random resources
No score tracking

Use 3-month plan or resource list.

Author: Rohit Chauhan