<p>Right now, I'm not sure if I should write outlines while I'm reading the book and take note of the important points. The thing is, it usually takes up too much time and I don't know if I will have a chance to review my notes. Should I just focus on reading and remembering information from the long text and then just buy a review book to serve as an outline? </p>
<p>How many of you think that outlining the text would be a better idea than just buying a review book to study off of?</p>
<p>Also, do any of you have a hard time understanding the economic factors? I'm having a hard time understanding economy effects and some court cases. :(</p>
<p>I didn't start studying until like maybe two and a half months before. But when I started: I did it hardcore. I made myself outlines of the chapters in American Pageant, I read through and took notes in the Fast Track to a 5: AP US History Book. My teacher did study sessions, so I went to those.</p>
<p>My Fast Track to a 5 Book was REALLY the most helpful. It's not as useful to study "tips and tricks" for the test as it is to know the material. Just memorize everything and say it out loud to yourself. Remember: DBQs aren't about writing well, they're about dumping every piece of information, every term, every date you can into an essay.</p>
<p>When you're taking the time to write the essays, don't worry if you're the last one done. I was the last one finished with my essays--but I was also the only one to get a 5 on the test (2nd in my school's history, LOL).</p>
<p>Reflecting: I wish I had started earlier studying. IE, around Rodeo Break (which, in Tucson, is early Feburary). I would've been dead if they asked any questions about Reaganomics, lol. We never got there in class.</p>
<p>EDIT:
Actually, I've still got some of my notes (IE, outlining entire time periods) in microsoft word format. If you want them, I could email them to you. :)</p>
<p>I got a 5 on the AP exam and a 750 on the SAT 2, but I only studied up to the civil war for the APUSH exam and up to the '40s for the subject test (I really wouldn't recommend this). What I did look over (for both tests) was Barron's APUSH flash cards...they were very helpful (and took less time to read than a review book).</p>
<p>Ahh... I did not do that good on my midterm as I thought I would do. How do you guys study for the mid-term when questions that they ask you are fairly specific according to each chapter? How do you manage to remember so many things in the long term?? I only have an accurate memory of the "big events" that have occured up to the 1850's. It's hard to remember more detailed facts though. I know I need to remember detailed facts for my class tests, but what about the AP exam?</p>
<p>I paid attention to the lectures in class and read some of the assigned reading to get my 5.</p>
<p>I was a bit of a slacker in APUSH class, took no notes, and almost never studied, unless I read through a chapter 15 minutes before the test. However, what I did the night before the AP exam was read Kaplan's APUSH review book front to back, which took about 8-9hrs of studying. I didn't sleep at all that night and finished up the book maybe an hour before the test. I got a 5.</p>
<p>Pretty much the exact opposite of what most people would recommend (study over several months, sleep 9+ hrs before test) </p>
<p>However, that strategy might not work for some people, as I've got a fairly decent short-term memory, but there's no way I could have even passed the test otherwise.</p>
<p>again, i'm going to stress the Fasttrack to 5 book. it summarizes topic really well but doesn't leave important things out like the princeton review book does. if you can learn the fast track book, i guarantee you'll get a 5 (i did).</p>
<p>I've got a 5 on the Euro and APUSH exams.</p>
<p>The way I did it was a constant barrage of studying. My teacher was great and we went over old AP questions all year and all the tests were in AP format.</p>
<p>I would recommend reading Viault's American History textbook. Cuts out all the crap and gets straight to the point.</p>
<p>Go through that book and highlight important details, then read through it again.</p>
<p>It's brutal but it's well worth it when you don't have to take the class for college.</p>
<p>So do you guys take your time to read the chapters or do you try to go over it as many times as you can? Do you usually remember what you read or do you just read it over and forget it? </p>
<p>Should I highlight my AMSCO book or take notes?</p>
<p>For studying US History, I recommend taking out a sheet of paper and making a list of important terms. After you read a few sections of the textbook, go down the list and summarize the history, making sure to include the terms. Don't just define each term; they should blend into one whole summary.</p>
<p>great advice:
[quote]
Stay awake during class most of the time, that's how I did it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I had the American Pageant textbook. There were outlines that we were required to do. I had the shortest and worst outlines. But I read the textbook as we went and stayed awake during class...through the movies. Oh, and I'm a future History major. But, that's so not the point. </p>
<p>If you're going to get a 5, you gotta just know it and be able to do it second-hand. None of this memorization crap. It's about comprehension not reciting ability. Ask me the date of the Whiskey Rebellion. Ask me the importance of it? Got it.</p>
<p>just to make sure, is this the AMSCO book? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/United-States-History-Preparing-Examination/dp/1567656609/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201049685&sr=8-1%5B/url%5D">http://www.amazon.com/United-States-History-Preparing-Examination/dp/1567656609/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201049685&sr=8-1</a></p>
<p>could those who own the book please verify this.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>That's the one!</p>
<p>It even has the red "revised" logo corner, which I can't say for mine.</p>
<p>thanks for the confirmation! I'll consider buying it before our next test then; it's gotten really good reviews</p>
<p>I got a 4 (but it wasn't because I wasn't capable of a 5) - I had 3 other AP exams, and prom the same day of the AP exam. My teacher last year had us do MULTIPLE DBQs, practice multiple choice questions, practice exams, practice essays, and had constant review sessions for us. I didn't use a prep book - I moreso just skimmed one (the one that is used to go along with American Pageant). </p>
<p>I started studying in February a little bit each week. With APUS, I found it's really hard to cram for anything - especially with the AP exam.</p>
<p>Yep. AMSCO is an awesome book. Though I haven't yet five'd the AP Exam, I'm fairly certain it will prove itself helpful come May. It has certainly helped me prepare for tests.</p>
<p>Totally off topic - but just as a side note -- ^^ you have the same name as me with the same spelling. =P</p>
<p>im in APUSH right now and its gettin close to exam time
so according to everyone
amsco, fasttrack, and kaplan are the best?
so i am most probly going to get amsco....
will that get me a 5 if i understand most of the stuff?
and i guess i will start studying pretty hardcore toward end of this month</p>
<p>i forgot to mention REA as well</p>