How I got an 800 on the US History SAT II test.

Test Preparation SAT Subject Test Preparation
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<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>Since I came here to prepare myself for the US History SAT II test, I think it's fair that I help you guys out (and brag a little :D). Without further ado, let me describe what I did to get an 800.</p>

<p>It all started with taking AP US History for me. I live in a state where AP US History is taken over 2 years, so I guess that it put me at an advantage (although my school only offers 5 AP classes). I had a good teacher, and I did well (got about 95% on most of the tests) during the course. I only started really reviewing for the AP test in mid-April. I took the AP exam on May 11, 2012. We finished the whole American Pageant text book in early April and started reviewing in class from then on (we always looked at Timeline</a> of United States history - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). </p>

<p>To review for the AP test, I bought a review book called United States History—Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination by AMSCO publishing (2010 Revision). That was one of the best decisions I made, and that same book helped me study for the SAT II. I read that book from cover to cover in a span of about 2-3 weeks, and it worked wonders. In addition, I skimmed my textbook (The American Pageant) to pick up any things that the AMSCO book missed. The AMSCO book was great, and it had the main, key facts as well as stuff that wasn't in the textbook. The only bad thing about the AMSCO book was that you don't get the official AMSCO answer key for the practice questions when you purchase it, so you have to do a Google search for the answers (it's actually really easy to find the answers online).</p>

<p>I read the AMSCO book for about 1.5 hours everyday for 2-3 weeks, and it really helped me. On May 11, 2012 I took the AP test and I thought that it wasn't bad. (I still haven't received my AP scores, I will let you guys know what I got on AP USH when I receive it). I decided that I was going to take the SAT II test on June 2, 2012 and I did. To be honest, I only started studying for the SAT II test about 1-2 weeks in advance, as I remembered most of the stuff due to studying rigorously for the AP test. In 1-2 weeks, I read over the AMSCO book again, and I knew that it was going to be fine. (Unlike the AP test, the SAT II test is all multiple choice, so I thought it was easier). I got an 800 on the SAT II test. </p>

<p>In essence, I read the AMSCO book from cover to cover, twice (skipping all the "How to write DBQs" crap) and that's all I really did. If you read nothing else, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting United States History—Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination by AMSCO publishing (2010 Revision) and doing all the practice quizzes and looking at the key terms and people.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading and I hope you do well on the SAT II.</p>

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<p>Nice…yeah, always helps to take a subject test and AP test around the same time, when it’s fresh.</p>

<p>For me, I took SAT physics in October, about 5 months after the AP test. Got a 740 on it – the main reason was because I didn’t know much E/M and I didn’t prepare. Math II was extremely easy for me (I’m a USAMO qualifier), so I got 800 on that with no preparation. The key to SAT subject tests is to take the ones that you are good at or ones that you enjoy.</p>

<p>Congrats on the 800!</p>

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<p>I’m bookmarking this for when I take APUSH SAT II at the end of the year.</p>

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<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>Just received my AP score in the mail and I got a 5 :)</p>

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<p>Solid advice! Wish I read this before I took the SAT II. </p>

<p>I’ll add my advice here too! :)</p>

<p>I also got an 800 and my studying consisted of cramming in the REA book (I read all of it-- there are a TON of small details that are contained in that book that they tested on the June 2012 test) and going over AP U.S. History’s Crash Course book a bit, but not as thoroughly. I also took the APUSH test (5 as well).</p>

<p>I would really recommend the REA book and also searching through CC for previous months’ tests’ discussions because it gives you a vague idea of how detailed SAT II writers like that test to be. Plus, they recycle tests, so maybe you might encounter a previous one if you go through enough! (Though that wouldn’t really be a good use of your time…)</p>

<p>The best practice for me, however, was definitely the McGraw Hill book for SAT II. It was overkill for the U.S. History test, and if you really want to be prepared, use that book.
If you want a gauge, I got in the 750’s on the McGraw Hill book and still got my 800. :slight_smile:
I found writing down flashcards for all the problems I got wrong in the McGraw Hill practice tests relatively useless because I never looked over them… (and they were all extremely small details) But, if you are a writing-down-things kind of learner, it might help you.
Best of luck!</p>

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<p>crash course is essentially useless for SAT II, since SAT2USH tests details and crash course gives you broad ideas.</p>

<p>I personally used REA (the SAT2USH review, not the AP). One of the worst decisions I ever made, since it is full of irrelevant crap that no one ever cares about and won’t be on the test (e.g. here are like 30 authors in the 1830’s, and here’s the books they wrote). Has 6 practice tests, got ~700 on each of them (missed like 19 per test… “what is cloture?” and I go WTH). Took the actual test, got an 800, and by CC answers consensus, I got 2 wrong. If you want absolute complete overkill, however, about 5 times as bad as Barron’s, get it. I got a 5 on APUSH too, so I can vouch for AMSCO.</p>

<p>Oh, just read that above poster says a lot of small details in REA were on the June test. I took the May test and the book was trash for preparing for that one so I don’t know, but maybe the book is better than I thought.</p>

<p>I’ve heard good things about the Kaplan SAT2USH review book. It really doesn’t matter what you buy as long as you do yourself a favor and not get REA. Also use the free Sparknotes practice tests; they’re a bit harder than the real thing but at least have accurate test questions.</p>