<p>Hey everyone. Next year for my sophomore year I'm taking AP History. This is my first AP class, so I'm a bit apprehensive. I want at least an A, because this year my goal is to get at least a perfect 4.0 GPA (the maximum for my school is 4.33 unweighted because an A+ is worth 4.33 points). So what are some helpful study tips for AP, what should I expect, how brutal are the tests (I heard a rumor that everyone fails their first test!), etc. I just ordered a prep book (Barron's) and their flashcards from amazon because they seem like a good study aid. Also, the college that I want to go to only gives credit for a 5 on the AP exam, so how could I study for such a big test? When should I start studying?
Thanks in advance (:</p>
<p>At least a 5? Why not a 6?</p>
<p>But seriously, flashcards for terms and events you need to remember are probably the most helpful thing you can do. Also you should have been learning US History since you were in Kindergarten or 1st grade, so most of the topics are just going into greater detail. You will learn some new things though.</p>
<p>Hey I’m going to be taking AP history next year too, but I’m doing world history. 
I can’t answer a lot of the questions, but I’ve found that, like any other advanced courses, your grade from the class depends largely on who your teacher is. I know one who has given pop quizzes every few days and lots of unit tests, resulting in B-C grades for most students. On the other hand, my teacher next year is one who is rumored to have never given any tests, and everyone has a grade above B. </p>
<p>Not an expert here, but from what I’ve seen it’s very important to stay on top of your work and do the readings. Never get lazy, because if you do it only gets more and more difficult to catch up. It is rumored, in my school, that there are at least 2 hours of reading for homework per class. Whether it is true or not, you should always pay attention and take lots of notes in and out of class. I think it depends on how confident you feel about the subject and your abilities, but most people at my school start studying from prep books around 3 months before the actual test. Of course, you can adjust your own schedule to your own convenience. </p>
<p>This is going to be my first AP too, so I’m also very anxious about the experience and the exam. Hopefully it’ll all turn out all right and we’ll score well. Sorry for the amateurish advice. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I got a 4 on the AP US History exam last year. I studied all year long and got a B+ for both semesters. This class was a challenge although the fact that US History is my favorite subject, I was very engaged. I had an excellent teacher and I planned on getting a 5 on this exam. My advice would be to start getting engaged early and constantly study. This course goes only a small amount of history which means the information you’ll have to know for the AP exam is rigorous. All in all good luck!</p>