<p>Hey, I'm new to CC...so please bear with me xD
I'm planning on taking the AP Art history test next year but I can't take the class because my guidance counselor can't fit it in my schedule.
For those of you who have taken it, was it difficult? What books do you suggest I study from? Thanks!!</p>
<p>Here’s what I did, not perfect, but I felt prepared.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/1157991-jackyts-syllabus-ap-art-history.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/ap-tests-preparation/1157991-jackyts-syllabus-ap-art-history.html</a></p>
<p>The test was pretty easy in itself, but if you forget about a period and the test makers feel like asking questions about it you will be hit hard, especially if it’s one of the long open ended. I would suggest getting Gardner’s Art Through The Ages and reading each chapter at least twice. Make sure to work on memorizing the piece’s name, artist, location, and art historical period. When it comes to art outside the European tradition I made a list of my 20 favorite words from all those chapters and luckily one of them ended up being usable for the open ended essay, so that might work for you. Make sure not to ignore modern art. I thought the Barron’s prep book did a pretty good job of condensing all the information for last minute cramming, but REA is a little more in-depth if you have extra time before the test.</p>
<p>Gardner’s Art Through the Ages was my textbook when I took Art History in high school, and it is MASSIVE!!! It has a lot of good examples of art, nice glossy pictures, but the text had too much miscellaneous information for my taste.
Instead, I relied on a review book. Mine was the REA ([Amazon.com:</a> AP Art History with Art CD and TESTware (REA) (Test Preps) (9780738604794): Frank Chmiel, Larry Krieger: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Art-History-TESTware-Test-Preps/dp/0738604798/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309652496&sr=8-3]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Art-History-TESTware-Test-Preps/dp/0738604798/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309652496&sr=8-3)) one with a CD. It was the best investment EVER!! Not only is it the same information as the Gardner’s textbook (but much more concise), there were 2 practice tests within the book and a CD with pictures and extra practice tests. In the back of the review book, there are DOZENS of tips, like:
<em>Don’t try to cram *all</em> works of art. Choose a few art periods and become experts at those, while reviewing the other periods but not as in-depth. There’s no way you can cram everything
*Top 10 works of art in the mediums of architecture, 3D, and 2D art
*The trends that the CollegeBoard is moving toward, like including more female artists in the test.</p>
<p>Good luck!! It’s a very awesome class to study 
Edit: I’m not saying just rely on the review book. I’m saying get an actual textbook (Gardner’s is good) but review books help a lot for you to see the big picture! )</p>
<p>I’d recommend Marilyn Stokstad’s Art History- it’s a fantastic, albeit extremely heavy, book that comprehensively covers every period and tradition, has innumerable pictures, and has the added benefit of great online resources like quizzes, essay questions, etc. that go along with each chapter. It’s also quite interesting. I picked my copy up at a used book store for ten bucks, but it’s significantly more expensive online.</p>
<p>In the week before the test, I used the same prep guide (REA) as LemonCat; I wouldn’t recommend using it on your own if you can avoid it, but it’s a fantastic guide. Also, look through the AP Art History tests of past years on the College Board website. They provide a pretty good example of what to expect, and if you don’t, the fact that the test has something like nine essays may prove pretty scary.</p>
<p>Since your school actually offers the class, I’d recommend talking to the teacher as well. Perhaps they have extra books, slides, worksheets, whatever that you can borrow. Talk to friends that are in the class as well and compare notes, particularly before the test. </p>
<p>I did the same thing you’re planning on doing because my school doesn’t offer the class, and I just found out I made a five. So good luck, it’s not impossible! :D</p>