APUSH Writing the Document-Based Question (DBQ) The APUSH exam format includes one document-based question. Students will have 55 minutes to answer it. Guidelines Long-essay writing skills. The initial mystery of answering a DBQ largely disappears if you remember that it builds on the skills for writing the long-essay question, including the skills of developing a background statement (B), thesis that ?takes a position (TAP)? and has a ?roadmap (R)?; argumentation supported with relevant historical evidence; use of targeted historical thinking skills; contextualization, and synthesis. The basic difference between the long-essay question and a DBQ is that in the DBQ students must analyze and use documents in your supporting arguments.