<p>Just an intro, I'm a senior who is done with SAT IIs. I excelled on both exams without studying. </p>
<p>Just as I noted, I did not study. So, please do not ask questions about what books I used to prepare! I bought the Official SAT II book and took the practice tests before walking in to figure out what I would get. ...So, please no review book inquiries! </p>
<p>But, I'm willing to answer questions about both SAT IIs to help those of you taking it this weekend!</p>
<p>Hey asdfjkl1. (:</p>
<p>Well, I was just wondering... what is your guessing policy?</p>
<p>hahah. do you guess no matter what or only when you can eliminate 3 answers or what? (:</p>
<p>For guessing, I think it's good if you're between two choices. If it's between three, it's more how how strong your gut feeling it. If you think you got it, fill it in. But, if you're truly thinking "I do not know this. What the hell is this!?" omitting might be better. Yes, you don't get penalized for omitting, but that doesn't mean you need to do it. One question I omitted made the difference between me and a perfect score... I even omitted for the wrong reasons; I didn't feel like choosing between two good answers. That one point you take the risk on might be correct and then, it will be worth it! The return beats the risk.</p>
<p>What authors do you need to know?</p>
<p>I heard we have to know specific details for this test. How specific is "specific"?</p>
<p>Thanks for answering! (:</p>
<p>*oops i forgot, i was referring to USH. also, how important is it to know dates?</p>
<p>az1698: The main authors. Mainly the most famous books from periods before the 1900s. Once you hit the 1900s, I would suggest looking over the wikipedia page on American Literature to just familiarize yourself with them. Authors like Rachel Carson are good to know. Just be on the lookout for people/books that may ring a bell. Definitely review those.</p>
<p>Madolive: Specific. Oh, the inevitable question. Specific is pretty specific I'd definitely say. Though you don't need to know the exact time of something happening, you need to know the specifics. The CB likes to throw in a few incredibly specific/random questions that you will not know unless you're incredibly lucky or just knowledgeable (somehow). Dates are good to know. But, I'd suggest focusing on names/events. Chronological order of events is extremely important. But, I barely recall any questions like 'What year did this happen?' 1990, 1989, 1991, 1992. However, they have chronological order questions so brush on those dates!</p>
<p>I hope I helped. =]</p>
<p>just wondering, it there a certain seciton or time period there is a lot of questions on?</p>
<p>My favorite question that I have come across in studying for both the AP exam and the SATII is about how the Vietnamese stalled negotiations for a year because of the shape of the table.
My teacher told me that collegeboard really likes to pull dumb questions like that out.</p>
<p>laxgurl0707: I would not say there is a specific one time period that many questions are on. I'd say focusing more on the 1900s-2000s would probably be the best idea considering how fast history has moved in this era. We're in a supersonic era where history happens so much due to technology/etc. So, definitely look over the 20th century!</p>
<p>zfox001: Ha. I've never heard of that one. There was a very random question on last year's that I got right due to this TV show I watch occasionally about art. Just damn lucky..but, I loved that question. Dumb/random questions are not fun for test takers. But, if you're a history buff, you're fine.</p>
<p>Any more questions?</p>
<p>can you explain the suez canal crisis and the vietnam war? i am kind of confused on the twoo... we havent gotten to the subject yet in apushh.. yea my class this year is really sloww, (we started school two weeks later than usual...)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the help :)
I'll post up more questions of I think of any.</p>
<p>I got a 5 on the AP US history test last year, and I'm considering taking the SATII US history tomorrow. I haven't studied at all since a year ago. Bad idea? I'm thinking I should wait until September but...what do you think?</p>
<p>Oh here's one (not about a guide book, but just pertaining to one):</p>
<p>REA's test book has questions like "In the 1980 census, the total American population was..." and "According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution..."</p>
<p>My question is, are they SERIOUS? I'm really worried now.</p>
<p>laxgurl0707: </p>
<p>The Suez canal crisis was in 1957. Egypt tried to nationalize the Suez Canal (which was basically owned by France/England). So the UK, France and Israel attacked Egypt. Then the Eisenhower administration forced a ceasefire and got the UN to step in.</p>
<p>The Vietnam War was a major part of the Cold War. Sorry, this is a bit long. But, the history matters!</p>
<p>Basically, the domino theory dictates that if one democratic country falls to communism..all the rest will fall. So, the US was funding all these fascist/democratic (whatever you want to call them) government/groups all over the world at this time in the fight against global communism. After the French gave up Vietnam as part of France, it became a separate country with the Diems in power (who were funded by the US). Starting in the late 60s, as the Diems became more and more unpopular, communism became much more appealing/popular. Ho Chi Minh (the leader of the communists in the North) started to develop an armed struggle. The US got nervous so under Kennedy, troops started to be placed in Vietnam. There were a lot of assassinations of people in Diem's government... As the Northern Communists became stronger, the more and more the US got involved with more troops. Under Johnson, a ship was blown up in the Gulf of Tonkin. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution enabled Johnson to conduct military operations without Vietnam becoming a formal war. So, in the 60s-70s, the war got really unpopular in the US. Due to the fact that many Americans weren't used to guerrilla warfare in the forests and the things used (napalm), it was not a very easy fight for Americans resulting in the loss of American lives. Cambodia was a hot-spot where many Communists were..and the government sought expanding there. But, then, in 1974, the Pentagon Papers, which detailed how badly the Vietnam War was going..from inside the Pentagon got leaked into the New York Times. We stopped taking an active role starting in 1974 thanks to Kissinger and the unpopularity. Troops were brought back...And, in 1975, the Communists conquered all of Vietnam. And, the US failed in Vietnam...one could argue.
....That took a while. Sorry for the enthusiasm. </p>
<p>southeastitan:
Go to a bookstore before they close. Get the Official SAT II Book and take the practice test. If you do well, just walk in. Otherwise, you can always wait until September. I did that with World History, a year after the fact with a 5 on the AP. I did well. I probably could have gotten an 800 if I had actually glanced over material. But, USH is so entwined with us, that you might be able to pull a really good score off without studying.</p>
<p>Mandolive:
Dude, chill. I mean, the Constitution questions, I might understand a little. But this isn't US Government. Just glance at the Bill of Rights if you're a bit uneasy about it. But, you do not need to know the total American population. They give you charts/cartoons on the test to convey data/information. No need to memorize random censuses...</p>
<p>thanks! so much!</p>