AP Macroeconomics

This is a hybrid digital exam. Students complete multiple-choice questions and view free-response questions in the Bluebook testing app. They handwrite their free-response answers in paper exam booklets that are returned for scoring. Download a sample free-response booklet for AP Macroeconomics (.pdf). Use this sample booklet for reference only to become familiar with the format.

Exam questions assess the course concepts and skills outlined in the course framework. For more information, refer to the Exam Overview section in the AP Macroeconomics Course and Exam Description (.pdf) (CED).

Encourage your students to visit the AP Macroeconomics student page for exam information.

The AP Macroeconomics Exam includes two sections. The first section contains 60 multiple-choice questions. The second section is the free-response section, which includes one long question and two short questions. Below is a detailed breakdown of both the multiple choice and free-response sections.

A four-function calculator is permitted for use on both sections of the exam.  

Section I: Multiple Choice

60 Questions | 1 Hour 10 Minutes | 66% of Exam Score

Questions require the use of economics content knowledge and reasoning across the range of course topics and skills in skill categories 1, 2, and 3.

Section II: Free Response

3 Questions | 1 Hour (includes a 10-minute reading period) | 33% of Exam Score

• 1 long free-response question (50% of section score).
• 2 short free-response questions (each worth 25% of section score).
• Students will be asked to:
  • Make assertions about economic concepts, principles, models, outcomes, and/or effects
  • Explain economic concepts, principles, models, outcomes, and/or effects
  • Perform numerical analysis
  • Create graphs or visual representations