I’m almost a rising junior who would like to take AP Art History and HOPE online on flvs. I’ve never taken an AP class before, but I would like to and I’m determined for tackling its difficulty. I’ve considered taking AP Human Geography, but, I’ve heard from a friend of mine who’s taken the class very dull and difficult. I’m personally one who takes interest in art and I’ve taken multiple art classes before, so I figured taking AP Art History would be a good start for an AP class. However, I’ve been warned it is a very difficult class, if not, one of the most hardest. That alone makes me a bit worried. How’s hard is AP Art History? Should I drop out and consider another AP class? If not, any tips from anyone who’s taken the class before or currently taking it? Thanks a lot!
I can’t speak for FLVS, but the level of difficulty of AP Art History depends in large part on the individual student. Personally, I found it to be one of the easier AP classes and exams. If you enjoy art, you’ll be fine. If you don’t know the difference between Monet and Manet, you’re in for a long year.
As for tips, the College Board is changing the structure of the course for next year, so those of us who have already taken the class/exam can’t really help you much, other than to tell you that you only need to concern yourself with 250 works of art. Look over [url=<a href=“https://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/arts-and-world-languages/art-history%5Dthis.%5B/url”>https://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/arts-and-world-languages/art-history]this.[/url]
I’d also recommend The Annotated Mona Lisa to supplement whatever text you have. Good luck.
I am taking AP Art History on FLVS. The lessons are really good. There are 10 “galleries” (or chapters, however you like to call them). The problem is that they spend the whole first segment/semester (five galleries) on non-European art such as Pre-Historic, Native American, Islamic, Egyptian, Sumerian, Pacific, South Asian, and East Asian which only covers about 20% of the exam. Galleries 6 and 7 respectively cover Classical and Medieval art which is only about 30% of the exam. The last three Galleries (8, 9, and 10) go from Renaissance to Contemporary which is the rest of the 50%. The good thing is that they go REALLY in depth with the non-European art.
Their lessons are lengthy and detailed, but their assignments can get a bit annoying. (all of their assignment are either analyses of artworks of the AP Art History framework OR short essays designed to replicate the short responses on the exam) They have an “Art Index” which includes the majority of the artworks that you are required to know for the exam. You can categorize the artworks by the date created, their Art Framework # according to the College Board, culture, alphabetical, or by order they appear in the Galleries. The problem with this is that SOME of the artworks you need to know are not in the course, but they design the lessons so that you should be able to analyze them without directly describing them. The other problem is that they only give one picture per artwork; for example, if you’re looking an architectural plan, then the Art Index would only have a picture of the actual structure rather than the structure AND the plan.
I would recommend it. It got a whole new design to cope with the changes. I would also purchase The Annotated Mona Lisa, but I wouldn’t touch it until you complete Gallery 7 so that you can get a much better understanding of most of the things they talk about pre-Renaissance.
@ObitoSigma Sorry for the totally random reply lol… who knows you probably don’t get on here anymore. But I am also wanting to take FLVS APAH next year. Here’s my situation, though. Yes, I want to get a 4 or 5 on the exam… but more importantly, is an A fairly doable in the class? Because I don’t want this extra class that I picked up because it sounds fun to cost me my shot at valedictorian… haha. Thanks for the help.
I’ve never taken an art class before. Is it easy enough to pick up if I’m good at history? Do you actually have to do art?
@tigerrocks13 Sorry for the late response. You seem like you’re unfamiliar with FLVS classes. Trust me; it is so easy to get an A on FLVS. The cool thing about FLVS is that, even if you do poorly on assignment, you can fix your mistakes based on your teacher’s comments. As long as you follow the rubric and your teacher’s recommendations, you should get a perfect score on the assignments.
The tests are a pain though. They can be difficult, and I find it hard to even get a B on a test (it might just be me though). You should be able to make up for it on your other assignments fortunately. I have had four teachers so far this school year (yes, you heard me right. even though I have only been in the course for 6 months, I have had four different teachers) and they have all been nice and light on me. If you do the work and commit yourself toward fixing your mistakes, it should be incredibly easy to get an A. Good luck! I’m a Junior too, and it’s actually helping me maintain my Valedictorian spot. 