<p>The essays make me want to scream. We've done a decent amount of practice essays in school and I have never been able to jump the hurdle from a 7 to an 8. I laugh at the thought of even getting a 9. The worst part? We know ahead of time what the general focus of the essay will be (usually the time period, at the very least), so we know what to study in advanced. If I can't get beyond a 7 with that, how am I supposed to do it during the actual exam when I'll have to write three essays back to back, with no idea what they may cover?
FRQs - Memory. I have a hard time memorizing so many specific details. And apparently, to get a good grade, the essay must be specific.
DBQs - I have a hard time analyzing documents (especially wordy sources / sources with archaic language) and then I can't always connect them.</p>
<p>I feel like I would've made at least one 8 or 9 on an essay this year, if I hadn't completely butchered the prompt.</p>
<p>Example:
"Analyze the responses of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration to the problems of the Great Depression. How effective were these responses? How did they change the role of the federal government? Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1929-1941 to construct your essay."
Response consisted of how the public's responses to the Great Depression influenced the administration. Yes, I need to slow down and read the prompt. Sadly, this was the second time something like this happened. I either over complicate it or completely miss the point.</p>
<p>So. My complaining ends here. Can anyone offer a bit of advice on conquering the APUSH essays? I'm aiming for at least a 7 on the essays, and a 5 on the test overall. Multpile choice should be okay, since my memory is usually triggered by the answer choices.
This is my first AP test. So I'm kind of freaking out. Well, taking my personality into consideration, I'd probably be frantic either way. But the first time is particularly stressful.</p>
<p>OK - don’t freak out - chill. First and most important you can score 6’s on the DBQ and Free-Response and score a 5. Remember, on the 2006 Released exam 58 percent equalled a 5. So a 6 out of 9 equals 66 percent and puts you comfortably in a 5.</p>
<p>Now go to AP Central and take a look at the real questions and especially the real essays. For really good Level 9 essays check out the 2000 test question 3 and the 2001 question 2. Be sure to look at the Level 6 essays for each of these questions. That will calm you down. For DBQ’s begin with the 2005 (B). Read the Level 8 essay and the Level 6 essay. For one of the best DBQ essays ever check out the 2006 exam. </p>
<p>Now note that the key to a high score is a very strong thesis followed by solid supporting evidence. Even so you can easily score a 6 with an average thesis and some decent supporting evidence. Don’t forget to always add a conclusion.</p>
<p>That’s interesting, I thought standards would have been higher than that. The information really helps, thank you. I think I’ll be able to manage a six after reviewing the information. I can breathe again, slightly
My teacher has taught us that a conclusion isn’t necessary - especially if we’re running out of time and are still writing the body paragraphs. I usually manage a sentence or two, but I’ll be sure to put more priority in the conclusion.</p>
<p>Yeah what he said you need to relax. It doesn’t have to be super specific,but write relevant information that supports your thesis. Don’t put too many details and always analyze why something happened, what caused it, and how it affcted people. For now make sure you actually know the material; start studying now there are about 6 weeks left</p>
<p>At the beginning of the year, on class tests, I wouldn’t write conclusions for my essays because I didn’t have enough time. However, I would always get marked off for it–my teacher really emphasized having a conclusion, even if it was just a 2-sentence restatement of your introduction.</p>
<p>Regaring the conclusion-I almost never get to a conclusion. My teacher also said that it is unnecessary if you’re finishing your body paragraphs. We’ve practiced a lot of essays throughout the year and I always have trouble getting to a conclusion-no matter how much I’ve prepared. I really dont think it matters that much, so I’m only going to have a conclusion if I have time. I have a friend who last year wrote only 2 of the essays (the DBQ and one FRQ) and still got a 4 so…that’s a comforting fact. I think we’ll be fine. Good luck.</p>
<p>Analyzing! Wow, that’s the most obvious aspect of the essays and it’s the one I usually forget. We just had an FRQ this week and I completely forgot to analyze. I just go into “recite facts” mode on the essay. Okay, so that’s also something I’ll have to work on.
As for the conclusions, I’ll certainly try to finish it - but for now I guess I’ll focus on body paragraphs since a conclusion usually doesn’t require much.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help and reassurance. I guess you’re right, I’d best postpone my melt down :)</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about it. I completely focused on multiple choice when studying and took probably like 10 practice multiple choice exams and did pretty well on them and expected to well on them on the test. Like you though, I was extremely worried about the essays. In my APUSH class we never wrote a single essay in class. We were always assigned them to write in one day for homework, so we got to use the book and had plenty of time to write it, basically meaning our teacher did not prepare us to write them in 40 minutes at all. Long story short though, I found the mc to be a lot harder than expected and then the essays to be a lot easier than expected. No matter what you should be able to at least get a decent score on the DBQ since you have the documents to help you create your argument, I guess the FRQ’s are sort of up to luck though.</p>
<p>You would think I’d have an easier time on DBQs since I have hints to jolt my memory. That part works out okay, but I end up getting stuck on connecting all of the documents. I don’t suppose you have a natural talent for writing?
We have our final (I think it’s our final one) DBQ this Wednesday. So after listing/categorizing all outside facts and documents, I think I’ll be okay. I guess planning is the hardest part for me. And only practice can cure that.
Thank you guys for your insight! I’m not as finicky anymore… though I’m sure I’ll have one last round of nerves sometime around the test date.</p>
<p>Yeah, just sort of realized my last post wasn’t really that helpful, sorry >_< You’ll definitely feel nervous the day of the test, but pretty much everybody will feel that way. Just make sure you take the test seriously. There were a lot of kids from my school who just blew the test off, one kid even turned his essay portion after like 5 minutes! I don’t understand why people would just blatantly waste their parents’ money like that, I mean the kid should have at least tried to bs even if he didn’t know the answers.</p>
