<p>I was surprised to receive a 5 on this test back in soph year. I didn't do much work in class and didn't study until the night before, when I spent two hours briefly reading the PR book.</p>
<p>What I can say is that the essays are purely mechanical, and if you know how to bs, you're good. That's the main thing I learned in that class--how to bs. It's kinda sad actually... but nonetheless, a valuable life skill if you know how to use it responsibly and intelligently. Amazing teacher though--wacky personality...talked more about crazy stories and how she taught the remedial kids to make stock portfolios rather than actual history (it "relates" to the Great Depression). Just know what points they want and give them to them. Not much room for unique, inspired prose.</p>
<p>The essay format is a little different in APUSH, so this tactic doesn't work quite as well on that test. It's more "holistic."</p>
<p>I assume the test hasn't changed in the last two years, but who knows.</p>
<p>Seriously dudes, for all the sophomores out there taking WHAP, especially as their first AP test, dont freak out! just remember that everyone else( mostly) are taking it for the first time too, and they probably suck more than you do
:D </p>
<p>haha all kidding aside, it really depends on your teacher. history is a cumulative course, its not something you can just read the night before and do well, you have to have had a good teacher with a rigorous courseload.
Last year, we used the Stern's textbook, an extremely tough book to read, and our teacher assigned a chapter per two nights. (we are on block scheduling), along with about 50 study guide questions are were meant to be answered in paragraph form. However, she rarely ever checked this homework, so naturally, the people who actually did it, did well on the test...</p>
<p>That being said, its not impossible to do well without a good teacher. After all, history is merely history, and no matter where you get your history, its still history!</p>