Cracking the AP World History Exam

I read the book in the weeks before the AP Exam last year and I got a 5...and history is definitely not best subject. What else can I say, this book is great! I just hope the APUSH book is equally effective. :)

My world history textbook was an absolute PAIN to read. As a result, I decided to purchase this book to supplement the overall experience for the class. And it helped: significantly. The book starts off with info about the AP World History (WHAP) test, such as what to expect and how to answer questions. The huge chunk in the middle is like a secondary textbook, more on this later. The last part of the book contains 2 AP full length tests, in which I suggest you use one for a diagnostic and the second to test your skills. If a WORLD HISTORY book makes me actually enjoy reading it, its obviously going to stick in my head better. And that is the magic of this book. Don't expect huge lengthy paragraphs on certain chapters; rather, information you will actually need for the test. The book is sprinkled with some comical effects that make it much more easier to understand. Also, there are small information boxes that let you connect places to places, the main focus point of WHAP. The tests are probably the closest to College Board AP style as you will see in a reference book. Rather than asking for straight facts like some books I know, Princeton's uses an analytical basis for its questions. Furthermore, there is an answer key at the end with explanations about the answers as well. Some flaws with the book include no primary resources and no example essays. Though the book does give guidelines on how to write the essays, it would be nicer to see actual ones along with commentaries. The lack of primary resources isn't that significant, but still noteworthy. Overall, this is the BEST reference guide I've used for a class in a LONG time. If you want to make a 5 on your AP test, this book should definitely be your TOP priority. Edit- 6/5/10 Hilariously enough, both of the tests in this book were much harder than the real AP exam. If you want amazing practice tests, this should be your first priority. DON'T USE THIS BOOK FOR ESSAYS. Go to the college board website and do the essays over there. They are official and well give you a better standing on what the test is like. Secondly, one question I've been asked several times is if it is a good textbook supplement. Honestly, for the class itself, it's not enough. As stated above, the book will work wonders if you supplement it with a few notes of your own, but this shouldn't be your ONLY resource if you want to make an A in the class. I used course-notes to supplement this book, and as a result got the A. What does this book work best as? A refresher. I can promise that nearing the time for the AP, I forgot many important details from the first semester. Thankfully though, this book let me recall names I had forgotten, such as Mamluk and the Hellenistic Era. It's good(actually, amazing) for the AP, as the AP doesn't require that much detail (this is based on only the MC), but your teacher will most likely incorporate details this book won't cover. When I took the essays for the actual exam, I can

I took the 2008 AP World History exam. To study for it, I read Kaplan's, Barron's, and Princeton Review's AP World History review. Of the three, I'd say Princeton Review offers the best history review. Kaplan's was skimpy, and Barron's was more of a textbook than a review. Not only is the Princeton Review book really organized, it also contains numerous compare and contrast essays (e.g. fall of Han empire compared to fall of Roman empire). The review is still lengthy, so this book may not be your best night-before-test cram. The practice tests more accurately reflect the actual test questions than most other prep books. The only downsides to this book are that it doesn't give you review questions at the end of each period and doesn't give you sample essay responses to the essay questions in the practice tests. I felt that the AP World History exam wasn't easy or hard. I just got my grade, a 5.

My 10th grade daughter, who is in AP classes in High School, told me her teacher highly suggested that his students buy this book, in prep for their AP World History exam. They use this book as a more in-depth study tool. It explains things in an easier way for students to understand, while studying. She says it has really helped her a lot. I'm glad I bought this book, as I try to do whatever it takes to help my child advance in her studies.

This is one of the best things I've ever read, even independent of the AP exam, because its main focus is not only on the facts of history, but their SIGNIFICANCE. Substantial portions of each chapter are devoted to an overview of the period, what was most important about it, and comparing and contrasting it with other historical developments. I am actually a teacher studying for the CSET, and this book has been invaluable to me in how I will present this information to my students. So many texts lack this overview, or present facts with insufficient discussion as to why we should care about them!