Hi, I’m new to the forum and really want to do well this year, and I hope CC can help.
My teacher doesn’t like the textbook we use, and really gives us only 5 pages of reading to do a week. Of course, I’m not depending on her to help me on my AP tests, and for the past few weeks, I’ve been reading and taking notes on one chapter a week in order to keep up with finishing the textbook before the test. </p>
However, a thought just recently occurred to me – should I be reading and taking notes on the textbook to do well on the test, or should I be reading (and re-reading) my AP prep books to do well on the test? What do you think?</p>
I have two books, one from Princeton, and another sort of obscure one by Ethel Wood (the class was required to buy it.)</p>
<p>Both. Read the chapters of your prep books (Ethel Wood one is actually very good, I liked Princeton a lot as well) which coincide with the chapters your tests will be on to prepare for your tests. Read your textbook as recommended over the year (finish the chapters before your tests on them). At the end of the year, go through the 2 prep books again.</p>
<p>I agree with using both. For my AP classes, I bought Princeton reviews for each of them, and I’d read the guide’s chapters after we finished those topics in class. Towards March and April, I’d read over the old material again, and I’d take practices tests a few weeks before the exams. With that method, I scored some solid 4s. So regardless of how you use them, the guides are only supplements that can help you. (however, if you’re taking an AP English course, don’t be so quick to buy a study guide. I never even touched one and got a 4 just through my teacher’s amazing style and accuracy to the test. So it really depends on the teacher too.) </p>
<p>My daughter is in WHAP. Her school district uses the Stearns, World Civilizations, textbook. It is NOT the best way to read about and learn AP World History, even though Peter Stearns was apparently the godfather of WHAP. It is a shame. You didn’t specify which textbook you have been assigned. There may be a very good reason your teacher has elected not to use the textbook. Frankly, I wish my daughter and her classmates don’t have to slog through the incoherent density of the Stearns book. There are many other good alternatives. Online chapter summaries and study guides that support the Stearns textbook and other AP World History textbooks may be a good place to start, along with the commercial study guides. </p>
<p>Here’s a pretty good one in support of the Bentley, Ziegler texbook:</p>
<p>Thank you AttorneyMother! I also have the Stearns book, and am surprised at your response, although thinking about it now - I can see the logic behind it. My teacher works primarily out of the book by Ethel Wood, but I had believed that was a waste of my time. (This is the school’s first year teaching AP World, I don’t really trust them.)</p>
<p>Thank you for the links though, I’ll be sure to check them out and try to allocate my time towards my prep books more, as I’m sure I can ace the class easily, but am more concerned about the test.</p>
<p>@wroate
I have seen those links you posted for the Stearns textbook in the other thread when I was helping my daughter out. And they are beneficial. People should make ample use of them whenever necessary. The Stearns online summaries are very general and may not contain the depth of detail demanded by your teacher. They certainly do not suffice for my daughter’s class. </p>
<p>Perhaps it is because you are still early into the textbook, but if you are finding the Stearns textbook good and useful, then you are ahead of the game. I fear, however, not many students feel that way and that not every chapter or even sections within chapters are equally coherently written. I’m not familiar with the Ethel Wood book, so cannot comment on that. I have purchased the REA and Crash Course books for my daughter and those do a good job synthesizing the thematic approaches Stearns et al. only believe they have in their textbook. If your primary concern is getting a “5” on the WHAP Test, then the College Board materials and commercial prep books are the places to start. </p>
<p>In my daughter’s case, grades and GPA are of greater importance (assuming that sufficient rigor has already been demonstrated by her course selection), as one’s scores on AP tests appear to be further down in the hierarchy of credentials that colleges value, based on my reading of CC. Good luck in any event.</p>
<p>In my particular case, the teacher works primarily out of the prep book as it is, so I have an advantage there. My concern is that I’m missing something from the textbook, because it’s so normal to get information about tests from the textbook. Although I’ve talked to many people who suggest taking advantage of the oppurtunity to read (and reread) the prep books this early, I still feel attached to the textbook. My links are to deviate myself just a little, so I can still be comfortable and not waste so much time.</p>