I’m currently studying for the AP World Exam and wanted to know if reading about the pre-Columbian societies in depth is absolutely necessary because I have to catch up on a ton of chapters and want to go as quick as possible. To anyone who’s taken it, do you have to know about these societies in depth or just have a general understanding in which you’re able to recognize the patterns and consequences?
Every year the AP exam is different. No one has any way of predicting whether or not you will have questions or an essay on any topic. Your best bet is to study all of the material.
@mademoiselle2308 Well then, how much content on them came on your test, if you took it?
I took that class a very long time ago over a decade ago. Even if I did remember, I wouldn’t tell you because I remember something about discussing exam content being prohibited. Your best bet is to go to the College Board’s website and look at released exams and decide for yourself how important Pre-Columbian Societies. Below is the College Board website which lists the free response questions from previous years.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/216943.html
Although the other posters are right in terms of giving pre-Columbian societies a certain amount of your time, I would say at least know some of the basics - those are a lot of societies you’re glossing over, if you’re referring to all established societies before 1492; if just talking about the pre-Columbian American societies, I’d say they’re still important! Even though the test can be a grab-bag of topics, you’ll feel better if you at least have a minimal grasp of the basic social structure/customs of the Incas, Mayas, etc.
Focus on the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. You don’t need to be an expert, just know the basics like how their government worked, notable characteristics (calendars, sacrifices, architecture, infrastructure), etc.
I’m in APWH right now and I don’t remember anything about Cahokia, Anasazi, Chavin, Norte Chico, or Moche other than that they were all civilizations in the Americas, so you should be fine. Just know the Incas, Mayas, Aztecs, and maybe the Olmec/Teotihuacan.
I took it last year. I don’t remember much about the test itself but my teacher told us that pre-columbian societies would cover 10% of the test. I’d study it incase it’s an essay question