International student self-studying SAT II US Hist and AP US History?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
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<p>Hi everyone, I'm an international student going to one of the top IB schools in South East Asia. I'm enrolled for a full IB diploma this year as a junior, which means that I've got 3 Higher Level classes and 3 Standard Level classes, each I think to the same level or above that of an AP exam. I'm currently taking an AP US History class on top of that with a phenomenal teacher. However, this is a non-IB elective, so I'm taking it in exchange for my study hall period... which, upperclassmen tell me, really sucks not to have.</p>

<p>I really need to take SAT II US History, since I need 3 subject tests to apply to schools such as Harvard. But I'm afraid that my grades would be affected by not having a study hall (especially since I spend more time than is probably healthy on extra-curriculars), so I think I should drop AP US History.</p>

<p>Is it practical for me though to expect to get a 750+ on the SAT II US Hist and a 5 on the AP exam as an international who doesn't have the natural background in US history as a US citizen does? For argument's sake, let's say I'm starting from a blank slate. I am however a history geek, love the subject and can sit in front of the study guide (I've got the AMSCO one recommended on this forum) for hours on end. I took the SAT II World History exam in sophomore year and got an 800.</p>

<p>Still, can I expect an 800 and a 5 on APUSH with little prior background?</p>

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<p>Wow, the 800 is impressive. Congrats on that.</p>

<p>I’m not sure how stressful it will be for you to miss out on a study hall period, but if you do choose to give it up to pursue APUSH, I think that without background in US history, you can still do VERY well. In America we typically take a dedicated US history class once in middle school, and forget 80% of the finer details of it, remembering only some of the major figures and events, haha. Then in high school when we take US history again, we more or less relearn it from scratch.</p>

<p>Most students that I know who take APUSH don’t actually have a passion for it, but do so because the class is offered and because they want to get a 5 for their college application. If YOU actually have an interest in History, and have a good teacher, you will probably blow us all out of the water on the SATII and AP Exams. :slight_smile: Provided you do use a study guide and do well in your class, I believe you can get a 750+ and EASILY get a 5. (Just remember to learn how to write the AP essays well. They’re very important to your score).</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

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<p>APUSH is a really good class because there are many comprehensive resources for it. Although I am a student in America, I barely knew anything about US History and had to learn it from the beginning. I managed to pull off a 5 and an 800. Then again, I’m more of a science/math type person, so I’m sure it will be easily achievable for you. Good luck!</p>

<p>EDIT: Just noticed that you have AMSCO; you’re set! However, if you could get your hands on Kaplan’s SAT II USH guide, it will be immensely helpful too. Kaplan does a good job of emphasizing things that come up on the Subject test that you normally would have been overlooked in AMSCO. I highly recommend it!</p>

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<p>thanks a lot guys! think it’s considerably harder to get a 5 and an 800 self-studying than taking the actual class? i’m still not sure whether to drop it or not… if i drop it, it would be nice to still take the AP exam–but please tell me if that’s an unnecessarily difficult route.</p>

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<p>If the USH teacher is good, I feel inclined to tell you to just take the class with them. You can easily get a 5 by self studying because you only need to get about a 70% correct on the AP, but for an 800, that means you can’t miss any, haha. Plus, if you’re a history fanatic, I’m sure you’ll love to hear an experienced history teacher lecture. I certainly did when I took WHist, and I don’t even particularly like history.</p>

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<p>I’m way too tired for 100% coherent thought but this is what I think.</p>

<p>First, my qualifications:</p>

<p>I’m another history wonk like you.
AP World (5), SAT II World (800), APUSH (5), SAT II USH (80)</p>

<p>I took both courses with a teacher as a normal class. AP World’s teacher was amazing. Ppl tended not to like him that much but everyone that was in it for more than just a grade loved him. APUSH’s teacher didn’t really teach, but never gave any hw and his tests were a joke so everyone loved him.</p>

<p>For both courses, I just read the textbook chapters as they were assigned and I skimmed a prep book two weeks before the AP test (not the SAT II)…and that’s it. got perfect scores. I didn’t feel very prepared, but it doesn’t really matter.</p>

<p>Honestly, unless you know you will have an amazing history teacher, self-studying from a good textbook will be just as good as a crappy history teacher that doesn’t really teach. I do NOT think “it’s considerably harder to get a 5 and an 800 self-studying than taking the actual class”.</p>

<p>Furthermore, since you’re worried about not having the time for your other classes and ECs, then consider the freedom inherent in self-studying. Assuming that you’re self-disciplined, and that like all other high school students, your workload can vary considerably day to day, week to week, then the freedom to study when you have time is incredibly important.</p>

<p>I didn’t even use AMSCO (bought it, ran out of time for the test). Seriously, I’m not going to say it’s easy, but considering almost everyone in my class got 4s w/o ever reading the textbook and just reading a prep book, you have nothing to worry about if you actually READ THE TEXTBOOK. You’ll be surprised how few ppl do this…</p>

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<p>In my opinion, it is a LOT easier to get a 5 on the APUSH exam than it is to get a 800 on the SAT II. I got a 5 and a 710 for your information. And I really studied a lot, although I did not pay attention AT ALL during the year. I think that if you use your study hall period diligently and reallly prep using Amsco, I think that you will be okay for the 5. And learn how to write a basic essay structure for the DBQ and FRQ, they are pretty easy and most people do well on that part. For the SAT II, there are no essays all MC which makes it harder in my opinion. Just keep studying it and you’ll get a good score.</p>

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<p>incredibly helpful responses guys. i am eternally grateful ;)</p>