<p>I'm currently taking AP World at my school (very large competitive public school)...and I really can't cope. Our book is Ways of the World by Strayer, and generally, we are assigned readings in it for homework. I use the chapter outlines on the Strayer student website (very detailed), and I find the book easy to read. I have good class participation. The problem comes with the quizzes and essays. I take way too much time on quizzes (multiple choice and short answer) and the essays (we've only wrote C&C so far),and end up rushing the last few questions. The teacher always tells me to elaborate on my short answer responses- and I try my best to do that, but she still always takes off points. We recently wrote a C& C essay, and I did terribly. For my one unrelated example, I stated a similarity (the rubric only wanted one comparison), but apparently I should have stated a difference also. Sorry for so much rambling. When I'm introduced to a new format of assesment (essays, mc, short answer), I always fail the 1st time and improve after that. Is there any way to stop failing the first time? (tips on different formats of AP world assesments?) Also, how can I work faster?
Thanks so much--
redoxreaction</p>
<p>Hi, I take AP World. What seems to be the problem, at least to me, is that while you know the facts, you aren’t necessarily drawing the connections to them. Rather than focusing only on facts, take a look at the general idea portrayed by the facts (i.e. The rise and expansion of the Persian empire, and all empires in general, are due to use of military force.) </p>
<p>Don’t take my advice too seriously, I am no expert. MY advice would be to PLEASE look at the Collegeboard’s outline for the AP course. Generally, time frames in books portray an overall concept that is key to history.</p>
<p>AP World is about themes, not facts. So if you’re stating a bunch of facts about the Mongolian Empire but not citing themes and connections, then you’re not going to do well.</p>
<p>It’s only October, and very few people do well right off the bat; just keep working hard, you’ll improve with time. No one is going to do well on a format they have no experience with. Keep practicing the MC and eventually you’ll be able to answer them quickly. Last year on my first unit test, I finished with about 3 minutes left; by the end of the year I finished with 15-20 minutes left.</p>