<p>These are the first two AP’s I’m taking (soph). In a perfect world, both my teachers would be excellent, spend the perfect amount of time on every topic, etc. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. So I have a few questions regarding my preparation.</p>
<li>Review books
Yes, there is another thread for this, but review books are only a small part of my questions.
World - PR, Barrons. These seem to be the best two. Barrons for a comprehensive review, PR for cramming.
Calc - PR, Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam. The Be Prepared is a lesser known brand, but from its reviews and what I’ve seen in the book itself it seems decent.</li>
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<p>Agree? Disagree?</p>
<li><p>Textbook
I have the Traditions and Encounters text for world, larson’s text for calc. How much do you really have to depend on your actual texts? T&E is 1000+ pages and a drag to read, larson’s text is good for practice problems though I depend more on notes to study for tests. I’ve heard of people who don’t read the text at all yet manage 5’s. Doable for my APs? So far I’ve read in both texts but the prep books are so much more appealing.</p></li>
<li><p>Study Schedule
I have yet to seriously peruse my prep books/notes as the 1st semester isn’t even over. When’s the optimal time to begin <em>seriously</em> studying? I was thinking spring break (ie mid March I believe) up until May. Other people have told me that they began reviewing from day one, others crammed 1-2 wks before and managed all right.</p></li>
<li><p>Time Management
I don’t think I’m foolish in stating that most ppl here are taking a rigorous courseload. Meaning that studying long term for AP isn’t really inviting when you have papers, projects, sports, clubs to deal with. How do you force yourself to begin studying for AP? I have 4+ hrs of hw a night, not to mention I get home at 6 after sports practice. </p></li>
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<p>I know this may seem like a lot, but being a first time APer, I’m kinda nervous. 5’s on both exams are easily in reach, but your advice would really help me in that direction.</p>
<ol>
<li>Get Barrons for World</li>
<li>My class requires that I read Traditions and Encounters. It's not that bad really. If you don't read it, you better read Barrons.</li>
<li>Spring break is a good starting point. The earlier the better since you aren't reading the text.</li>
<li>uhh you just gotta sit down and study. For my first AP I didn't really study (except cramming the night before) and I only got a 4 (it was AP Euro). I'm not gonna make that mistake again, so I'm gonna force myself to study.</li>
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<ul>
<li>A drastic way to make yourself study is to get in a lot of trouble so your parents take away everything you like, therefore forcing you to study haha. It's working for me right now =]</li>
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<p>I'm self-studying World, and I started reading Barrons in November. After reading it once, I was put into a state of confusion with all those people, documents, terms, etc. At the moment, I'm taking notes on each section, since I don't have sports in the winter =], but obviously with your schedule that would be hard to do. I suggest doing practice questions over and over again. One 70-multiple choice test per week or even every 2 weeks will help you assimilate plentiful information for the test. Also, making a list of people, terms, and documents doesn't take long and will be of great help for the test, because if you know the key facts, the concepts will just come to you. Good Luck =]</p>
<p>Use the Birdsall Viault books for your AP History exams. Helped me get a 5 on US History and Euro History. I'm taking World History this year.</p>
<p>Also get access to any previous AP tests released, because most of my course was reviewing AP type questions from old tests and practice tests in the library books.</p>