Next year, I plan to self-study for AP Comparative Government and Politics because I figured why not. Does anyone know which textbook I should use? I looked on the college board and they give a long list of textbooks, but I don’t know which one to choose. Can someone help?
I don’t think its a textbook but the people who have self studied swear by Ethel Wood’s book. I have ordered it but don’t plan on starting to study till January.
I too would be interested in a second opinion on texts though.
I self-studied AP Comparative Government with one of my friends this year. I started with virtually no prior knowledge and found the exam incredibly easy after reading Ethel Wood’s book. The practice tests at the end of the book and the chapter tests after each section are extremely helpful and very similarly to the questions that can be found on the actual exam. It is probably most important when using this book to keep up with current events so you don’t use outdated information on the exam. If I recall correctly, the latest edition of the Ethel Wood’s book was published several years ago and would most definitely include incorrect facts. For example, I would imagine that Brexit is going to cause some major changes in the way the test developers choose to write questions about Great Britain. Keep this in mind for all other current events so that you can write detailed responses on the test.
I really enjoyed the experience of self-studying this test. I expanded my knowledge of several interesting topics about different countries that I had never broached in any prior course. It was a rewarding experience and while I have not yet received my score, I have a feeling I did pretty well.
Long story short, get the Ethel Wood’s book. It works. 