<p>Hey, I'm taking the APUSH in May, and I really need an effective way to get a 5 on this ap exam. I don't want to look at prepbooks that won't help me at all.
It seemed like most people here are using AMSCO, and some people seem to be using 5 steps to 5 and Crash Course.
And it may sound really silly but I've actually never heard of these books before.
Can anyone elaborate on what each of these books are like?
How are they useful?
Are they really really good?<br>
Oh, and what is AMSCO? Does the book have an exact name? I tried to find it in amazon.com but I wasn't sure if the book that I found is the right one...</p>
<p>And I have the AP United States History REA 7th edition book. Is this book any help?</p>
<p>Lastly, how are you guys studying for the test? Which books are you guys using and which ones do you recommend?</p>
<p>This would be so much help for me. :) Help me out, please :)</p>
<p>They do sell AMSCO on Amazon, so more likely than not, it’s the right one. I think it’s just called “US History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination.” You can also order it directly from the AMSCO website (that’s what I did). It’s a very good review book, but it’s long, so if you don’t have a lot of time, it may not be worth it. </p>
<p>I’m personally using AMSCO + REA Crash Course. It’s a very in combo this year. :)</p>
<p>I referred the AMSCO book to all of my classmates last year, and the way that I easily identified it for them was the US flag emblazoned on the cover. It’s a smaller-sized book, as well.</p>
<p>Besides using the AMSCO book (which I read completely in the two weekends prior to the exam), I found using flashcards really helpful for reviewing all the information that you need to remember for the exam. As for the DBQ, study some of the major events in great depth and detail. I can’t recall the common topics that are used off the top of my head, but I think your teacher might be able to give you some help on that. Besides that, there’s not much more you can do besides taking tons of practice multiple choice tests, DBQs, and reviewing facts.</p>
<p>Good luck. :)</p>
<p>Thanks guys~ Can I get AMSCO book from Barnes and Nobles though? or is it only available only in amazon? And would it be ok to use AMSCO if I only have 4-5weeks left before the ap exam?</p>
<p>look on amazon or barnes and noble to buy the Amsco book, they must have it.</p>
<p>Thanks 
How long is the book though? I don’t want to waste time on it if it’s too long to handle within 4-5weeks to start with.</p>
<p>And is Crash Course good? Should I buy it with AMSCO?</p>
<p>Hey i just got the AMSCO book from amazon. i ordered it on mon./tue. and got it today but i paid for fast shipping. i wish i would have known that i could get it cheaper from buying from the AMSCO company. Well i was flipping through the book and i notice that there is no answer key to the review questions. does anyone know where i could get the answer key?</p>
<p>It looks long, but it’s small and it’s a pretty easy read. Dense, but doesn’t feel like a textbook. Your best bet, if you’re not a really fast reader, is to highlight it as you go along, aiming to have finished the book about a week before the exam, and then spend that week looking over highlighted notes and taking practice tests.</p>
<p>Yep, I’m currently reading AMSCO. 200/666 pages done! I think the answers are somewhere online…or you could just read the chapter again, the answers are prob in there…</p>
<p>when did u guys order AMSCO, and when’d you get it? how long w/ order…preferably those who ordered snail mail</p>
<p>Just got AMSCO in the mail a couple of days ago… ordered it two months ago. Apparently shipping issues made it take so long to arrive at my house, which I was upset about, but glad I have it now. Paid ~$17 for it used in pretty good condition - only light pencil marks every few pages. It’s an older edition, but still good enough.</p>
<p>I’m probably one of the few not using either of those books. =)
I’m using REA right now and its pretty amazingly concise. (with 6 practice tests)
*It’s an amazing help IMO. I’m on chapter 10/15. I feel like such a history buff.
Also, if you aren’t into the whole “reading out of prep books type” google AP History and you can find a lot of reviews from teachers online. Start a video program at “Brightstorm” (which I am doing) and it helps quite a bit. A Yale professor teachers the review course! I don’t know if you’d find it worth the money, but it’s 'ight.
Hippocampus.org has a lot of videos for APUSH that can help. If you are a visual learner or just want extra to look at.
Also, AP Hist. podcasts (off iTunes obviously) are fabulous on road trips when you don’t want to carry around your book.
Good luck studying!</p>
<p>hey widly05 thanks for the answer key!!</p>
<p>I just took the 06 MC and I missed 7. The test was easier than I had thought. I had been freaking out (since I’m self-studying)! Right now I’m going through AMSCO; after a search on google, I found a bunch of past exams and teacher’s notes. </p>
<p>Since CB is focusing more on the social aspects of history, making educated guess in that direction can be pretty accurate. </p>
<p>Here are some useful websites:
[TIGER</a> APUSH REVIEW](<a href=“http://www.spokaneschools.org/lewis_clark/academics/socialstudies/APUSH/review/index.htm]TIGER”>http://www.spokaneschools.org/lewis_clark/academics/socialstudies/APUSH/review/index.htm)
[schools.lwsd.org</a> - /JHS/classes/socialstudies/bennett/APUSH/Review/](<a href=“http://schools.lwsd.org/JHS/classes/socialstudies/bennett/APUSH/Review/]schools.lwsd.org”>http://schools.lwsd.org/JHS/classes/socialstudies/bennett/APUSH/Review/)
[url=<a href=“http://216.101.58.17/hs/rschaller/]Chaminade”>http://216.101.58.17/hs/rschaller/]Chaminade</a> College Preparatory<a href=“a%20boatload%20of%20past%20MCs,%20but%20some%20have%20no%20answers”>/url</a>
[url=<a href=“http://wwwf.countryday.net/facstf/us/fossettp/notes.htm]Notes[/url”>http://wwwf.countryday.net/facstf/us/fossettp/notes.htm]Notes[/url</a>]
[url=<a href=“http://www.historyteacher.net/USQuizMainPage.htm]USQuizMainPAge[/url”>http://www.historyteacher.net/USQuizMainPage.htm]USQuizMainPAge[/url</a>]
And this other website that CC is not allowing me to type. It comes out as *******…
Type in google: ap test s brink st er (without the spaces except for the one before brink)</p>
<p>@ velleity: CB doesn’t focus on social aspects, it focuses more upon the political and economical. For Example: past presidents NOT what they wore. </p>
<p>Since you’re self studying you might feel that teachers opinions are different but I have retaliated with an online teacher (the way you’re doing it) and my school teacher, both answers came as the same.</p>
<p>BUT, I looked into the first website and it was really good.</p>
<p>“Beginning with the 2006 exam, the AP Program’s U.S. History Development Committee has embraced the trend on college and university campuses to view US history through the prism of social change on the one hand, and cultural and intellectual developments on the other.” --REA.</p>
<p>As suggested by the 06 exam (the only one released after the paradigm change), the focus shifts from politics and gov. policies to the effect of those changes on society. There are much more inferences than facts. Thus the sentiments of an era becomes important. However, this is not to say that details aren’t important.</p>
<p>The last two statements you have made are correct. REA’s statement is saying that opinions are different from two different groups and in DBQ’s and Free Response essays that is correct but about the actual test… that’s not what I’ve been told but in all, it’s good to prepare every way.</p>