<p>The quizzes/tests in my APUSH class are killer! The teacher is probably one of the toughest in our school (generally the AP ones are -__-), and only gives out 4-5 A-'s and above a year. So far I have been first in my class, with straight A+s and this is my first AP class. We had to read a 30 page chapter over 2 days and my notes were about 13-14 pages front and back. There's definitely something wrong with that right? On the first quiz, I got 31/34, about a 91, however I did not study. Everything I remembered was from the note-taking straight up. I am really striving for that A+. How do I do it? Any note taking tips? There's just so much that can show up on tests that I go crazy with notes.</p>
<p>sure. (: um, i actually just used amsco last year and it worked out pretty well (5/A+). i didn’t take down so many notes while studying, but i did use qcards. basically, there’s a set of important terms at the end of each chapter in amsco. use those terms for your qcards by taking them down on one side and elaborating on them on the other. read over the chapter thoroughly, and then, as a game, connect all of the qcards -using the elabortaed info- as best you can. this method really helped me memorize a lot. once you have all the basics, and their secondary details down, pick up a heavier text to get more detailed information (this is only necessary if you really, really need it. usually amsco is more than enough).</p>
<p>Don’t aim for an A+ in a social studies AP. You’ll get burnt out and settle for a B the second you get bad-ish grade on a test that you studied 675846383 hours for. I’m sure you feel super motivated since it’s your first AP, but it WILL NOT LAST. Just chill a little bit, read the chapters thoroughly and take 1 or maybe 2 pages pf notes. You’re not gonna sustain 26 pages of notes for every little quiz.</p>
<p>An A+ essentially means going beyond the high expectations set for an AP course. You have to know everything in the book ad more - understand just about every political, social, economic, religious, etc. effect on every event.</p>
<p>I know I sounds ridiculous… but I’m speaking out of experience. As a student whose first AP was also US History, I’ve learned the hard way that getting that A+ is VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. Not even the girl who got into Harvard last year in my school scored an A+ (try 96… close but not there). Our teacher was AMAZING… but I guarantee you that even he has scored under a 100 on HIS OWN tests. (Do not criticize him… after what I just said you may criticize him for being a poor teacher, but he will RIP YOU APART if you try to beat him in history.)</p>
<p>In short, study everything, analyze just about every effect everything had… since it’s an AP level class, the difficulty will be unforgivable, and we know that too many mistakes will cost you a grade in any class.</p>
<p>@iamanapp: I’ve PMed you, please check your inbox. Thanks for the wonderful advice.</p>
<p>
I get where you’re coming from, so thanks for being honest. But, our school’s on a semester schedule and we have 4 classes half the year. we also have 2 semesters of apush (1 spring soph year and 1 fall junior year). This is my first semester, and tbh, my other 3 classes are jokes lol Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, and Gym. I have already learned the first 2 and gym, well nothing to do there. So, I have a ton of time on my hands (even with clubs etc). I really think I can get that A+ if I put in the effort, a girl did last year. But thanks!</p>
<p>
Alritey, thanks for the advice, I think that’s what I’ll pretty much have to do.
[quote]
</p>
<p>Other advice, personal experience is greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>I hate AP classes that make a student concentrate on their grade so much that they forget that an AP class isnt about getting an A+ but a 5 on the AP exam…
I know so many people who received an A/A+ in the class…but only a 3 or so on the test…while the Bs received 5s</p>
<p>^But the AP exam is next May for me, so I have a while until I have to worry about that, and in all honesty I’ll probably get a 5 with AMSCO and REA Crash Course.</p>
<p>But I do agree in that AP classes shouldn’t be so hard to the point where students aren’t absorbing enough for the exam. That’s how our class feels.</p>
<p>Do you read from The American Pageant?</p>
<p>I was in the same situation as you last semester - my school had block scheduling but APUSH was only for half of the year. I had to read around 30 pages a night and we had tests every week with an essay test every 2 weeks. Although it was agonizing and a wake-up call for me (APUSH was my first AP class), it’s not impossible to get an A+. I managed an average of 99% after 3 trimesters and a 5 on the mock AP exam. </p>
<p>What I can tell you is if you’re a really fast at typing, type your notes. It’ll save you A LOT of time while having really nice, detailed notes. The only problem I’ve had with typing is that my hand ached like none other on the AP exam and I spent a lot on printer ink, but it was all for the love of an extra hour of sleep 
Check with your teacher if your book provides some extra material. Since my teacher decided to go with Give Me Liberty! by Eric Foner, he gave us access to the website which had outlines for every chapter, which was really nice. I just took additional notes, using the outline as a guide. It was a lifesaver and kept me on track.</p>
<p>We had homework quizzes every day, and it was really hard to retain the information at first, so I ended up doing not-so-hot on them. What really helped was to skim over my notes in the morning after getting ready/eating breakfast. After a while, I didn’t need to do this as I became better at remembering what I read.</p>
<p>As you have easier classes and a lot of time on your hands, try taking in the readings really slowly. I didn’t really have this luxury all the time as I had to manage a bunch of fledgling clubs in the beginning of the year, but when I did it really helped. Don’t do your AP homework in one sitting as well. After thirty minutes of reading or so, I’d go off and watch a Youtube video to clear my mind. </p>
<p>This may sound really weird, but when memorizing events I tried to make crazy scenarios out of them and made my notes fun. It really helps for essays if you can overly simplify time periods.</p>
<p>Good luck and dedicate yourself to the class for that A+! You’ll find after a while that long readings are substantially easier to manage and you can retain a lot more than you could at first. I think the class was extremely rewarding, and aside from work load, the class really wasn’t that bad. It gets a LOT better once you get past the 1800’s!</p>
<p>find ap practice quizzes online and practice accordingly for each chapter. Study the terms and how they relate to each other but dont take 10+ pages of notes, that’s a stupid idea. Also realize that multiple choice in ANY AP is killer. Try to improve your essay writing skills. Most AP classes weigh in-class essays as much as tests</p>
<p>
We use The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society by Gary Nash</p>
<p>heyjjjaded: WOW! Thanks for so much help! I will be sure to keep your advice in mind :D</p>
<p>Interficio: True, true, thanks for the advice :)</p>
<p>To op… I was in APUSH last year and your description sounds exactly how my class was. Except I didn’t go above and beyond like you. I got a B in both semesters and a 4 on the AP exam. But then again, I’m not your typical CCer.</p>
<p>For anyone really having a problem with AP US history, maybe these [AP</a> US history notes](<a href=“http://etestnotes.com/apreviewguides/courseselect.html]AP”>http://etestnotes.com/apreviewguides/courseselect.html) can help you out. :)</p>