AP US History: best AP prep book? (also for DBQ prep)

Test Preparation AP History & Social Sciences
1

So i have this apush teacher who constantly goes off topic, and we really never get anything done in his class. We also never do DBQs, he does a short powerpoint on it one class and forgets about it for the rest of the year. A lot of people say Amsco is a good prep book, but then some people say direct hits is better, and still others say to combine the two. Looking at my apush situation, what prep book(s) would you recommend?</p>

2

Since your teacher does nothing, AMSCO would be the best for your grades in class and you should know all of it for the AP test. Still, you should buy Direct Hits a few months before the exam to review.</p>

3

So i should basically use AMSCO throughout the year, and read it once, and then start on direct hits in april? Also, how can i get practice on the method of writing DBQs, does amsco cover that?</p>

4

This describes almost the exact situation I was in last year. I don’t know about direct hits but what I did was read AMSCO throughout the year to parallel what the class was doing and then read through it again twice just to be safe starting about a month before the test and I got a 5 with basically no help from the teacher. Yes, I believe AMSCO is a great practice for DBQ’s because they have helpful hints and an overabundance of practice questions at the end of every chapter. Some might have better methods, but that worked out great and I think that it might’ve even been too much. Just be sure the read a little throughout the year and you’ll be fine. Good luck!</p>

5

AMSCO is very good considering you have them time to effectively read a 700pg book, otherwise I heart Direct Hits is a good concise version. For you DBQ, I highly recommend the APUSH REA Crash Course Book which helps in what to write on. As to how to format and write essays, look at examples online at Collegeboard or elsewhere of high scoring essays. Hope I helped!</p>

6

Crash Course is by the same person as Direct Hits and it also has DBQ prep.</p>

7

So to choose between direct hit and crash course, which one should I get?</p>

8

Direct Hits.</p>