How to Self Study for APUSH

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

Hi! I’m a junior and I would like some tips on self-studying for the APUSH exam. I’m taking “Honors” level U.S History right now and I want to study for the AP exam along the way. I realized that many things may be different. (like there’s 9 “periods” to study for on the AP?) Here are some things I hope can be discussed on:

 -What does the AP U.S History Exam cover? (Time period, specific themes etc)
 -What books/materials would be useful for self-studying? What brand of study prep books are the most helpful?
 -Previous students: how was the exam and how did studying for it affect your school year? What were the most difficult things about the exam?
 -Any tips in general for better studying habits?

Thank you so much <3

2
  1. The AP curriculum has changed. For some reason (all the wrong ones), APUSH now focuses on the "great" parts of US History, with a new SUPER FUN term thrown in: American Exceptionalism. The old curriculum from last year (I took APUSH last year) is now rendered somewhat obsolete.
  2. Unfortunately, new guidelines have not been released to the public by CB. But here's the course description: https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-us-history-course-and-exam-description.pdf
3

I am currently taking APUSH at my school. Two good texts to read are the AMSCO 2015 AP US Prep and the Princeton Review book.

Aside from reading, I would strongly suggest watching videos from GetAFive.com, I used it for AP World History last year and got a 5 by watching it two days before the exam. This year I’m watching the AP US course throughout the year rather than 2 days before though… I would strongly suggest taking intense notes on the videos because they are very information dense without useless information; everything he says is important.

Good luck with self studying!