<p>How does AP Euro compare to AP World? Harder? Easier?</p>
<p>I took AP Euro as a sophomore this past year. I got a 5 on the AP test. 
Euro was my first AP.</p>
<p>The review books I used were REA’s Crash Course and PR. I read Crash Course basically twice (once thoroughly, another time skimming) and PR 1.5 times (I wasn’t able to make it all the way through the second time). I highlighted extensively in both and found that helped me. I did like PR, but Crash Course was an absolute life saver. I very highly recommend it!! </p>
<p>Aside from the review material, the thing that really helped me the most was taking MANY practice tests. I probably took about 10, and at least 5 of them were full length (MC + essays). I used any tests I could get my hands on, between the old released exams we took in class, PR tests, and any online tests. Taking practice tests is key! My MC score rose from ~50 in April to 73-74 by test week! Familiarity with the types of questions goes a long way. For the writing portion, I also practiced a lot of DBQs. Although writing is a strength of mine, TIMED writing is not. If that is also a weakness of yours, don’t neglect writing a few practice essays to prep for the AP test.</p>
<p>That’s about all my studying advice. Remember to stay interested in the subject all year - it will make learning easier and more fun. My AP Euro experience was great because I was fortunate to have a wonderful teacher and lots of friends to help me through.</p>
<p>Good luck Euroers. :)</p>
<p>AP European History is a class/test that really requires you to study.
I took AP European History during my sophomore year (2012-2013) and I did extremely well in the class(A to A+ range the whole year) and I got a 5 on my AP exam. It was my first AP, so I really didn’t know what to expect. </p>
<p>My advice would be to treat the class seriously. It is a class that requires diligence and self motivation. Do all the readings your teacher assigns, annotate, and really try to understand what happens. Try not to slack off because it is really hard and time consuming to get back on track. The readings will be tedious only if you make it. Try to read it like a story rather than a text book. I cannot stress how much the readings help with your understanding.</p>
<p>Also, try to be interested. AP Euro introduces you to many things that really are the basis of our modern civilization today. In retrospect, I would recommend as you are taking the class, to read biographies of the people you learn about. It really helps a lot because you tend to remember more about the person and the history connected to that person. When you get to the intellects such as Voltaire, try to read what he actually wrote. When the book mentions artists, look at their art, because chances are, it might show up on the AP Test.</p>
<p>Also, be a decent writer and know how to write a thesis. This is EXTREMELY important. I personally don’t really enjoy writing compared to my peers and I don’t believe that I am very good but because of sophomore year, I learned a lot about writing. The most important aspects of a good paper are your thesis, your examples, and the way you argue. Make sure your ability to write a thesis is good. Don’t make it all frilly, be succinct and to the point. This goes too for the writing: make sure you support your thesis well and make decent arguments. Do not use words you don’t understand, do not try to write beautiful prose. The time you have to write essays will be short, so make the best out of it and get your points through.</p>
<p>For books to purchase, buy the books at the beginning of the year and use it throughout the year. Definitely purchase REA Crash Course.
I also used Barrons, however it does not cover all topics that you should know for the test so I would not use it solely. Its charts are helpful.
I also used Schuam’s Outline of Modern European History. It is extremely long, but it helped a lot when you needed to know information quickly.
In addition to these, I also used Cliffs.
See if you can borrow the books from someone who had taken it already.</p>
<p>In addition I also used the Online Study Guide for my textbook and it was extremely helpful; it has multiple choice tests, quizzes, and chapter outlines. [ [Student</a> Center](<a href=“http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/mckaywest10e/]Student”>http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/mckaywest10e/) ] Also if you are lazy like me, [<a href=“http://hankshistoryhour.com/][/url”>http://hankshistoryhour.com/][/url</a>] his podcasts helps a lot. It is basically a lecture, so if you haven’t been paying attention in class, listen to it!</p>
<p>This course is extremely rewarding although it sucks when you are learning it. Your success really depends on how well you can memorize, grasp, and interpret the information that is basically being force fed to you. Be sure to know your learning habits and work accordingly. And of course, try not to cram before the AP exam.</p>
<p>Like Ezmerelda and Itunes, I too just took the test as a sophomore. It was my first AP and I was extremely nervous prior to my exam prep. I think, though, that it is very important to be confident while taking your AP exam. This will reduce mistakes and keep you from second guessing yourself.
What made me confident and, in my opinion got me my 5, was definitely REA’s Crash Course. I Read through it once, and then skimmed it the day before and morning of the exam. It has tons of info on everything, excluding the late 20th century. This wasn’t a problem for me as my class covered everything, but I heard many classes don’t get that far so be sure to use another source to study that stuff. I owned the Princeton Review book(our teacher made us all have one), and never used it outside of a required reading on the late 20th century which I think helped as our textbook covered the period poorly.
So, as long as you pay attention all year, do your homework, and study for the exam, you should be fine.</p>
<p>My friend and I created a website with comprehensive course notes and study guides for Ap Euro to solve a problem that we faced-- there weren’t many online resources for the class. It’ll be ready by the start of the school year, and will be a great tool for preparing yourself for class tests, and for the exam in May. Check it out and give us feedback; spread the word!
[AP</a> European History Guide | A comprehensive study tool for acing European history and getting a 5 on your exam](<a href=“http://www.APEuroGuide.com%5DAP”>http://www.APEuroGuide.com)</p>
<p>Why is there no guide for the interwar period? totalitarianism</p>
<p>@Matkil360: Your website looks really helpful! I’ll be sure to use it during the year.
Here are a couple of recommendations I have as far as books and websites.
I ordered the AP Achiever for European history. I’m just skimming it over before school starts, and it’s great.
In addition to Matkil360’s website, I’m going to use a website from an AP European History teacher.
Book: [AP</a> Achiever (Advanced Placement* Exam Preparation Guide) for European History (College Test Prep): Chris Freiler: 9780073256726: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Achiever-Advanced-Placement-Preparation-European/dp/0073256722]AP”>http://www.amazon.com/Achiever-Advanced-Placement-Preparation-European/dp/0073256722)
Website: [Historyteacher.net</a> Index](<a href=“http://www.historyteacher.net%5DHistoryteacher.net”>http://www.historyteacher.net)
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>@weeknd The interwar period is in the last guide, as well as everything else in the curriculum from the end of WWI to the present. To everyone checking out the website, we’re polishing everything right now, but it should be fully ready by the start of the school year.</p>
<p>I took the class as a sophomore last year and to sum it up, it was probably one of the most time-consuming yet fascinating courses that you’ll take in high school. </p>
<p>Fortunately, I had a very good teacher who was very thorough with her in-class lessons. She also had a series of after-school reviews with released practice tests from the years past. I strongly suggest taking these opportunities if presented with them because any additional practice is absolutely vital for this class. </p>
<p>I was personally incredibly interested in European history, especially in the time period covered (Renaissance-present). It’s very important to keep an earnest mind in-class and while reading the textbook (Read it!) because you never know when this date or that king is going to click into your memory. Anyways, a bad attitude is only going to hurt you. </p>
<p>I bought the Princeton Review, AP Achiever, and the REA Crash Course review books to study for all approximately 2 weeks before the exam. First, I took the first practice test in the PR book. Then, I read the PR book 2 chapters every day (Prioritize!). That Princeton Review book is incredibly concise - it packed in information that I never learned in class or in the textbook in a very readable (much less dull than any textbook) fashion. </p>
<p>Next I took more practice tests from the PR and the AP Achiever book to see where I was at. I never really read the AP Achiever book - I only skimmed certain passages from it. I think that book is less organized overall than the Princeton Review book but it is still very informative and helpful. Also, the timelines at the end of the book and very helpful in putting all the events in perspective.</p>
<p>On the 1-2 days before the actual exam, I read the Crash Course book. It is general, but it includes every important and common detail for the test - College Board always packs in a bunch of extraneous questions in the MC section. I read maybe 2/3 of the Crash Course book again the morning of the test. That reading probably was the reason I got any idea of and then did well on my second Free Response Essay. </p>
<p>The test itself varies every year. The 200(9?) released exam was probably one of the easier tests given for AP Euro, I think I got 73/80 multiple choice correct, but last year’s test, for me, felt much more difficult than any released or practice exam. Although I attribute this somewhat to nerves (Don’t be nervous!), still be prepared for an unpredictable test by the College Board. The multiple choice and the FRE’s were pretty difficult, while the DBE was much easier this year, but expect much different next year. Another thing: study up on the Cold War and post-Cold War period, Crash Course doesn’t seem to cover much about it, but the exam had a large amount of those questions. Moving forward, I’m sure there’ll be even more.</p>
<p>In the end, I earned a 5 on the exam. Looking back, that course felt like torture while taking it - expect to stay up very late on a few handful of night. But in the end, you learn A LOT of knowledge about Europe. A few tips of how to achieve that 5:</p>
<ol>
<li>Pay attention in class</li>
<li>Read the textbook </li>
<li>Buy the Princeton Review and Crash Course books</li>
<li>Take the practice exams and TIME YOURSELF on the essays</li>
<li>Read and reread the books, they contain all the information necessary for a 5</li>
<li>Enjoy the course, it’s actually pretty fun and in the end, definitely very rewarding</li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I took AP Euro last year and I found the Birdsall’s Modern European History to be helpful for review right before the test. My teacher made our class start taking multiple choice practice tests right after spring break and that was extremely useful. Overall the multiple choice is significantly harder and more specific then the AP World multiple choice. I recommend memorizing the DBQ rubric and practicing your writing skills since 50% of the test is writing. With all the preparation I did, I managed to get a 5.</p>
<p>I agree with dbuch01, the Birdsall book is great for both class tests and the AP exam. I would definitely reccomend practicing your writing. My teacher gave us 1-2 DBQs/FRQs to write a week, plus student samples to look at to see exactly what the readers are looking for. The writing is definitely the most important part, as the multiple choice will be difficult no matter how many practice exams you take. As long as you walk in confident on test day, you should be fine. Confidence (but not overconfidence) is definitely what helped me walk away with a 5.</p>
<p>I took AP Euro as a sophomore 
(I’m a rising senior now). I ended up with a 3 on the exam, which isn’t too bad considering history is my weakest subject and I BSed both of my FRQs and the DBQ. </p>
<p>Euro is arguably the hardest history AP, but don’t let that scare you. I mean, I passed the exam, and that’s saying something. </p>
<p>I recommend getting the Princeton Review. I love PR and use it for all of my APs. Its practice exams are very similar to what you’ll be seeing on test day, so take them!!! </p>
<p>If you’re having trouble with something and you just can’t get it, watch a few videos online. It always helped me to hear/see the information (the World History section on Khan Academy will cover some Euro topics as well, so definitely check that out). </p>
<p>Good luck in AP Euro everyone! It’s a really fun class. OH and since most people here are taking this as their first AP, I will leave you all with a “welcome to AP!”</p>
<p>A quick update: my D scored a “5” on APEH and WHAP in 10th grade.</p>
<p>For APEH, in addition to having done well in class with a very high “A,” she also used the materials available on Historysage.com. Her classroom textbook was the Kagan book and Historysage.com helped her to focus on the themes of each period of APEH without missing detail. If your class uses the McKay book, the Historysage.com materials are an even closer match. </p>
<p>Her APEH teacher required her to purchase the AP Achiever book by Chris Freiler for review, but that book was as good as Historysage.com.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone.</p>
<p>I feel like this thread has died. I shouldn’t.</p>
<p>It’s dead alright. But w/e.</p>
<p>No offense, but AP Euro is really boring for me. x__x I’m not saying it’s easy-boring, because it’s probably my 3rd hardest class, only that the content… makes me sleep. And it’s not necessarily a history thing, because AP US is my favorite class this year. I haven’t figured out why yet orz. I’m trying to have more fun in the class so that I can memorize the material more easily, but I haven’t been successful.</p>
<p>Hello one and all. Just introducing myself; I’m a Freshman doing AP Euro along with Psychology and APUSH</p>
<p>Would you guys mind saying how different European is from World? I’m thinking about doing a self-study this year on it, quite the history buff…</p>
<p>This thread is pretty dead, haha! I’m just gonna say that I’m taking AP Euro right now and it’s easier then I thought it was going to be. The only hard thing about it is the DBQ’s and doing all the vocabulary card but that’s about it and both of those only require hard-work and that’s why they are hard to me, haha.</p>
<p>World history covers a much broader time period than European history. Roughly half the course is made up of prehistory until the enlightenment. The second half of world history covers what is covered in euro, but in a more global perspective. I believe a world history self study would be possible while taking euro, but it would definitely be a challenge considering you would be totally on your own for the first half of the curriculum. </p>
<p>Best of luck though!</p>
<p>If anyone wants to score practice exams 
<a href=“http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/european-history-released-exam-2009-scoring-worksheet.pdf”>Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board;