I was wondering how much detail the AP test for European History asks about. I ask this because I’m starting my outlines (to study out of for the AP test next year) and I don’t want to skip over some important things, but I don’t want my outlines to be too long either. How specific should my outlines be? Is ~1 sentence per paragraph in my textbook enough?</p>
Thanks.</p>
If you have that much time that you’re doing outlines now, then I would go ahead and outline as much of the material that will help you understand the main idea.</p>
In general, AP Euro won’t ask for that many details. It’s better that you understand the general trends, themes, and ideas throughout different eras and periods of European history. Memorizing facts won’t get you a 5.</p>
Thank you, Harambee. I’m actually starting because I’m taking the class next year and we have to do outlines for summer homework haha.</p>
^Oh. I had to do summer homework for my AP English Lang class. Good luck on the exam.</p>
Harambee is spot on. The most important thing on the AP Euro exam is understanding the “big picture”. Meaning the political, social, and economical trends of the time. Why a ruler/group/person acted the way they did, how it influenced other people to do what they did, etc.<br>
Generally, for each event, one or two sentences will be fine. The test really doesn’t go into much detail since it is A LOT of information for it to cover.<br>
For dates you just need century, etc.<br>
If you know that you’re good with memorizing details, put in as much detail in your outline as possible to help with your FRQ :)</p>
If you know all the material in CliffsAP Euro, along with the trends that posters above have mentioned, then you’ll be fine.</p>
Thanks everyone! Also, does it matter whether I use Princeton Review or Cliffs, or should I get both?</p>
You can get both if you want, but Cliffs is the best and the only one you need. If you really need a supplement, I’d recommend Crash Course AP Euro by REA.</p>
Thank you.</p>
I have to disagree with a couple people here. Many of the AP Euro MCs correct answers are very nuanced. The slightest detail could come up. I’d say though that the summer is not the time to get into that, and your teacher will make it a lot easier when you cover the material in class, so at this point, don’t go too in depth. If you understand the major eras and overarching themes of AP European History before the year even starts, you’re well on your way to getting that 5!</p>
Agreed with lsunderman.</p>
While AP Euro won’t go too much in depth in terms of history in detail…</p>
MAKE. SURE. YOU. KNOW. EVERYTHING. (Political, Social, Economical themes/trends/ideas). AP will still throw curveballs at you (in the form of “vaguely”-worded questions), and if you know your history really well, you can easily spot what they’re asking for.</p>