<p>Here's the situation. This year I am taking APUSH with a teacher who is very political and involves politics in what he teaches. If I had to list passions, they would be politics and reading (including much reading on political subjects). I spend probably 2 hours a day reading news and political websites. I am also a Quiz Bowl guy who knows a lot of history, especially political history (I got a 610 on an internet SAT II US History practice before my APUSH class began). I want to know how hard it would be for me to self study AP US Government and Politics and/or Comparative Government and Politics. What books would you recommend, and what kind of time committment. My main concern is that writing about a passion for politics on an app would look slightly silly if I got low AP test scores in the subjects, even if it was self study.</p>
<p>I know, I know, double post, but I had it in the wrong section.</p>
<p>For someone like you, the exams should be a very easy. You can ace comperitive gov with only a little bit of BBC news every day. US gov is easy for anyone who follows American news. I plan on taking both with little to no preperation end expect a pair of easy fives.</p>
<p>No. I don't know why you are asking this question now. </p>
<p>Study AP government two weeks before the exam. Study AP comparative two nights before.</p>
<p>If you strong essay skills and common sense, then AP US will be a breeze. For comparative, make sure you are familiar politics of the countries and know the basics</p>
<p>I got a 5 and 4 respectively.</p>
<p>However, the competitive colleges don't take comparative government credit even if you receive a 5</p>
<p>easy. I got a 5 on US and a 4 on comp and didn't really study very rigorously. I dunno if just knowing news will get you a high score though. U also have to know the basics of the political structures of all the governments. Like how a bill becomes a law, the commitees and subcommitees of the senate and house, what countries have multiparty systems, etc, etc. I know a lot of that is in the news, but some of the technical stuff isn't. </p>
<p>I used REA and a comparatiBTW, ve book a gov teacher let me borrow</p>
<p>So you guys think it's really that easy? I mean the little synapsis on the College Board site kind of makes it look like I would have to study at least a little. I just don't want to risk getting a 2 and making myself look stupid, considering politics is my "passion".</p>
<p>If you're an avid newspaper reader (or can become one), these tests are incredibly easy - especially US Government and Politics. That test covers the basics of government structure and the political scene. To be blunt, if politics is really your "passion", you should already be able to get a 5 without studying.</p>
<p>Comparative Government is somewhat different. On the Comparative test, you could be fairly well versed in international politics and still not know the "core" material particularly well. However, this core takes very, very little time to learn. It consists, for the most part, of basic facts about the governments covered (Britain, France, China, Russia), plus a bit of random vocabulary. I learned it the night before with the REA guide, and it wasn't a problem. If you also read a good newsmagazine like The Economist (although "like" might be the wrong word - it's pretty much incomparable), you're set.</p>
<p>All in all, these are good exams to take if you want easy AP credit. I didn't do any studying until the night before, and got 5s on both.</p>