AP Art History 2011 Prep

[ksarmand]

<p>

Some of my pleasure reading at the time involved Art History, which helped, but studying for the exam is nowhere near as involved as Ksarman makes it out to be.

</p>

<p>Apparently, we differ in opinion on the difficulty of the exam. However, I stand by my position - do not take this exam if you don’t have the time to devote to prepare for it.</p>

<p>

Like most AP exams, the MC questions always have a couple potential answers that are incredibly far off, so narrowing things down is generally a breeze if you have any knowledge of the period(s) in question.

</p>

<p>Yes, I acknowledge that this is true.</p>

<p>

Last year someone posted this list msmegg1: aparthistory (Top 200 Works - bottom left corner) and I found it pretty damn helpful for studying.

</p>

<p>I saw this list as well, but in my case found it unhelpful.</p>

<p>Perhaps the majority of differences in our views stem from our different learning techniques. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.</p>

<p>All in all, it is up to the student to decide whether or not to take the exam. I simply offered my frank opinion.</p>

[jakebarnes]

<p>Suggesting someone is “near-insane” for wanting to attempt a self-study is pretty hyperbolic imo. I found it enjoyable and relatively simple.</p>

[082349]

<p>Here are the links to self-studying Art History that I found in recent months. Some of them offer advice which I will collate and post later on:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/931709-self-studying-ap-art-history.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/931709-self-studying-ap-art-history.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/940266-self-study-ap-art-history.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/940266-self-study-ap-art-history.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/902626-ap-art-history-class-track.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/902626-ap-art-history-class-track.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/896072-self-study-ap-art-history.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/896072-self-study-ap-art-history.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/887794-self-studying-ap-art-history-non-artist.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/887794-self-studying-ap-art-history-non-artist.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/881823-self-studying-ap-art-history.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/881823-self-studying-ap-art-history.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/814497-self-study-ap-art-history-2nd-semester.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/814497-self-study-ap-art-history-2nd-semester.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/768259-self-study-art-history.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/768259-self-study-art-history.html?&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/931704-taking-ap-art-history-question.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/931704-taking-ap-art-history-question.html?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[ksarmand]

<p>

Suggesting someone is “near-insane” for wanting to attempt a self-study is pretty hyperbolic imo.

</p>

<p>It was hyperbolic; most of my statements usually are. That does not mean, however, that my caveats to posters are unfounded.</p>

[ksarmand]

<p>

I found it enjoyable and relatively simple.

</p>

<p>You are speaking from your own vantage point. I never sweated bullets before taking that exam. It was sheer torture for me.</p>

[Jackyt]

<p>Ok. I was going to get help from a teacher over the summer and he never responded. Emailed twice and called once. So I guess I’m in the same boat as everyone else here. I have Barrons, The Annotated Mona Lisa, and Gardner’s. Now how the heck do I self study this thing? Should I focus on the history behind the art (like the teacher wanted me to) or just learn art for the sake of art? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>

[wolfparade]

<p>Ok, I’m going to go ahead and take a stance between those of the main two posters. Self-studying for the AP Art History exam is a challenge, but it is certainly manageable if you have a decent history background. I got a 5 pretty easily (even though I didn’t technically self-study, the course was CLEARLY a self-study).</p>

<p>If you have a choice, take the class. I know that many are planning to self-study because a class is not an option - but I used the FLVS class, and as much as it was tedious and oversimplified, it FORCED me to work and read. It turned out to actually be pretty good at the end.</p>

<p>However, I don’t credit my success on the exam to FLVS. I mainly studied outside of the course and just used the class as a way to practice on essays. You don’t need a course for that. The principal books that I used were REA’s AP Art History (BY FAR THE BEST BOOK on the subject… those who don’t whole-heartedly recommend it just haven’t used it). I also skimmed a little of Barron’s. Larry Krieger, the author of the REA Art History book, is the genius behind the Crash Course series which targets what WILL be tested on the exam. For Art History, it’s really hard to create a Crash Course since nothing can arguably be condensed to less than 300 pages, but Krieger helped me answer probably about 85%-90% of the questions on the exam correctly. The book is also really, really funny.</p>

<p>The way I prepared for the essays was a little different. I created my own TOP 40 WORKS INVENTORY. I went through an art history textbook, the Barron’s book, and the REA book and selected works that I thought fit several different themes so I could have a set of works that applied to any essay they threw at me. I made sure 15 works were from beyond the European tradition. For each work, I typed up a page full of information, learning EVERY detail about it. When I opened up the essay packet, I was golden.</p>

[chess94]

<p>^Thx for the advice. I’ve decided i’m gonna self-study it, so may luck be with me!</p>

[apn00b]

<p>^^Wanna give us that magical list? :D</p>

[chess94]

<p>so, would you recommend REA for art history over Barron’s?</p>

[aquamarina]

<p>I am self studying this too!
I invested A LOT in this.
I bought used copies of Gardner’s Art Through The Ages 12th edition & Janson’s History of Art 6th ed.
Bought Annotated Mona Lisa, and Architecture by some author I forgot name.
Hey, I am thinking that I shouldn’t buy Annotated Arch, is this book useful for the exam? Since I have 2 textbooks, do I really need to read Arch?
I will buy REA Art History when the exam comes near.</p>

[chess94]

<p>^wow you sound really prepared. I’m buying my books not this weekend but the following I’m pretty sure Anyways, to 082349, do you think you’re still going to self-study this or switching to world?</p>

[082349]

<p>Advice that I found from other threads</p>

<p>

@download; 1064911988

The AP Art History exam WILL be difficult if you are taking multiple AP exams. You cannot cram for this exam in 1 month, unless you already have a deep understanding of art, or unless you have a photographic memory. Trying to cram for this exam in under a month will be extremely difficult, ESPECIALLY if you have more than 1 AP exam that you’re taking.</p>

<p>You can pass if you read the Annotated Mona Lisa book, but you must constantly review the elements that make each art period unique from the others. You also must learn to understand the trends within each period. For example, Northern Renaissance art saw an increase of oil paint as a media, Greek sculpture work frequently idealized the subject, etc.</p>

<p>You should also memorize a good amount of art pieces (Around 400-500 total from Prehistoric to Modern Art). You need to memorize: the artist(s), the medium, the era, the location (Sometimes), and any patrons, if there are any. You should use flashcards to study; I used flashcards with images pasted on them.</p>

<p>Also, you must memorize at least 10 pieces of art that are non-Western for one of the long essays on the exam. Art from India, Islam, China, Japan, and Africa are considered non-Western art. Native American art is also considered non-Western. You must also be able to understand the culture of each location, so you can analyze the influences seen in the artworks. For example, when Japan became westernized, many indigenous people wished to preserve original Japanese tradition, and they showcased their beliefs through their art.</p>

<p>Yes, you have to analyze paintings/sculpture work/architecture on the essays. You have to analyze the pictures they give you along with the prompt, and you must be able to explain the key elements of each painting. Sometimes they are really obvious to point out, such as Gothic architectural elements, but sometimes they can be rather subtle, such as the way the artists poses their subjects. When you are exposed to hundreds and thousands of art pieces while studying, you will notice that many buildings, paintings, and sculptures begin to look the same. The essays aim to test your ability to distinguish the very minute details that a regular person not taking the class would fail to recognize. </p>

<p>Overall, AP Art History can be easy so long as you start your studies at least 2 months prior to the exam. I did not self-study though, but I have taken the test, and I passed with a 5.

</p>

<p>

@download; 1064913006

My teacher used the Gardner’s Art Through the Ages textbook to prep us for the exam. If I recall correctly, it was a 12th edition. The textbook is, in its whole, over 1000 pages.</p>

<p>The textbook gives a lot of detailed information for each work of art, and I believe this will aid you quite well.</p>

<p>EDIT: We skipped some chapters, though. We ignored all: Pacific art, art from the Americas (Native American art), and I think we barely went over African art.

</p>

<p>

@dark_knight

Here are the best sources:</p>

<p>The best textbook for self-study is A History of Western Art by Laurie Schneider Adams.
The best prep book is REA’s AP Art History - it totally killed the 2009 exam
The best brief overviews of art history are The Annotated Mona Lisa and The Annotated Arch
Also you should buy the just released 2009 AP Art History Exam at the College Board’s online store.

</p>

<p>

@dark knight; 1064551021

The Annotated Mona Lisa is very good. However, it will not be enough. The Annotated Mona Lisa only covers paintings. It does not cover sculpture or architecture. You need a prep book that covers the full scope of art history. I recommend REA’s AP Art History. As I noted above, it totally dominated the just released 2009 AP Art History exam.

</p>

<p>

@=Millancad; 1064387370

1. I think it would be a difficult self-study, but a lot of people here seem to think of it as doable. I’d recommend that you take it if the kids just feel “dead” and it isn’t killing their GPA. There is <em>a lot</em> to learn for Art History.
   If you do end up self studying, or taking it at all, get the Annotated Mona Lisa as a prep book. I didn’t personally use it and I did very well (consistently had the highest grades in both bells and received a 5) but it’s highly recommended both here and elsewhere. I just used Barron’s.
2. Undoubtedly! One’s ability to excel in Art History has very little, if anything at all, to do with one’s ability as an artist. I can barely draw a stick figure. While Art History classes likely do have a large number of artists in comparison to other classes – I know mine did – artistic skill is completely unnecessary. My Art History teacher herself would often mention her lack of skill with any typical utensil.

</p>

<p>

@jg0339

AP Art History requires a lot of memorization. The non-artist stuff is an interesting question. The course is definitely made easier if you are already familiar with some of the terms, and some of the art work & architecture. The course isn’t so much about “working technical knowledge” as a very quick romp through tons of images. If you are already interested, that is a big plus. I would just think it might be difficult to cover so much material on one’s own

</p>

<p>

@_daniel; 1064391474

As others have mentioned, it is A LOT of memorization. We have to memorize thousands of images (titles, artist, period, style, bg, etc.). It is doable to self-study though. I have an A, and I am not artistic at all. We use Stockstad’s Art History. I supplement my readings with Gardner’s Art Through the Ages. Good luck! If you have any questions, PM me.

</p>

[chess94]

<p>“I can barely draw a stick figure.” That statement pretty much defines the limits of my artistic capabilities…</p>

[CrazyEddy47]

<p>I’m self-studying AP Art History along with AP Euro seeing as 80% of AP Art is Europe alone. I’m using the Gardner’s book and Annotated Mona Lisa for AP Art, and for AP Euro I’m using Norman Davies Europe and then a review book (undecided).</p>

[CrazyEddy47]

<p>Does anybody have any recomendations for how to learn the analysis part? I already know how I’m going to study for the Multiple choice part, but I’m unsure on the essays. Would learning the terminology and methods of art help and then reading an professional analysis help me prepare? Also, I should probably write my own analysis as well. Maybe I could find a painting in my book that has been analyzed, analyze it on my own and then compare mine to the authors, or is the subject to open ended? Failing that I’ll just buy my AP Studio Art teacher a Starbucks card and ask him to read my essays.</p>

[Download]

<p>^ Barron’s AP Art History prep book has a good amount of essay prompts to practice with. Also, they include sample responses to each essay prompt to give you an idea of what the graders expect. After each chapter, you can find vocabulary lists containing terminology you should know which will be incredibly helpful for the essay and MC sections. I got a 5 on the exam, and I read sample responses from Barron’s and high scoring essays from past AP exams. I don’t think reading professional art criticism will be necessary to pass or get a 5 on the exam.</p>

[dylandlima]

<p>Art history seems really tough and I have no idea why you all want to self study it. Most universities will not give credit anyways. And does having Art History really strengthen your app or does it just make you seem like a total nerd? Tough one…I think I’ll stick with psych as a self study.</p>

[CrazyEddy47]

<p>Both CU Boulder and Colorado State give credit for AP Art History, and I’m guessing most colleges that accept AP scores will too. </p>

<p>“makes you seem like a total nerd” This is College Confidential, there is no such thing as to nerdy here.</p>

[dylandlima]

<p>You have a point about nothing being too nerdy for CC, but when I said “MOST” I meant it in a general sense, so using isolated examples to contradict me is absurd. Another AP that most universities will not except is Human Geography, but APHG teaches you a lot about culture and politics so I think it was worth my time.</p>