The examination includes questions from six categories: (1) European History through the French Revolution, (2) European History since the French Revolution, (3) American History through the Civil War, (4) American History since the Civil War, (5) World History, and (6) Comparative History. Students answer five questions, responding to questions from at least four categories and answering no more than two questions from any one category. The questions will reflect the previous three years' course offerings. Essays should provide historical arguments supported by specific details, but most questions will be general enough that the details from various classes might appropriately be used to support those arguments.

Each of the blue-book essays will receive a letter grade, and the final grade for the comprehensive exam will be the average of those grades.