Self-Studying History APs

Test Preparation AP History & Social Sciences
1

I’m considering self-studying one of the history APs in the coming school year, so I have a few questions.

  1. How would you rank the 3 exams in terms of difficulty (solely the difficulty of the exam, not how hard it is to get a 5)?
  2. How would you rank the 3 exams in terms of how hard it is to get a 5?
  3. What are some recommended resources to use (textbooks, review books)?
  4. What is the difference between the old and new curriculums for the the history APs (I hear that APUSH is changing next year)?
    Thanks for the help. </p>
2

<p>I’m taking AP World this year (and considering self-studying APUSH), so how would the difficulty of the two tests compare?</p>

3

<p>1) I’ve only taken APUSH, but from what I’ve heard, hardest exam to easiest is AP Euro, APUSH, and AP World; honestly, I think it depends more on the individual and their interest in history (which I’m guessing is higher than average if you’re taking two AP histories in a year).</p>

<p>2) Also from what I’ve heard, AP World has the fewest students scoring a 5 with APUSH having the most. Then again, a lot more schools teach APUSH than AP World or AP Euro, so this might factor in somehow.</p>

<p>3) Textbooks? As the format’s changed, I don’t know. Review books? Barron’s is excellent for just about everything, but I ended up getting a 5 in APUSH using Princeton Review and my textbook. However, as you’re self-studying APUSH, if you can afford to buy both then do that for APUSH, especially if you’re not going to have a textbook for it; if you’ll have an APUSH textbook, then I’d personally choose Barron’s as it’s got better reviews and flash cards. For AP World, Barron’s is also a good choice from what I’ve heard.</p>

<p>4) As far as test format changes for APUSH, there’s only one pair of FRQs (of which you pick one) instead of two, and 55 MCs plus 4 short answers instead of 80 MCs. AP World hasn’t changed.</p>

<p>5) Between the tests, I’ve heard APUSH has the harder exam, but AP World gets fewer 5s; again, I think it depends on personal motivation in the class as well as teacher and/or self-preparation.</p>

<p>Hope this helped, and best of luck :smiley: </p>

4

<p>1.

  1. Euro/ US
  2. Word</p>

<p>Honestly this depends on preference. If you feel you have more of a base knowledge in US, then that subject may be easier. US History also goes more in depth into what is studies, because it covers a 300 year period while Euro covers 550 years. World History is easy. The questions are extremely general and the scale (it’s actually very generous for all of the history exams) is very forgiving. The reason the percentage for 5s is so low is due to the Freshman and Sophomore lightweights who take this exam.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Same really. </p></li>
<li><p>Anything by Cengage Learning is great (in my experience). For Prep books, the REA guides are BRILLIANT for each exam. Seriously. They will guarantee that you score at least 85% on MC. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>AMSCO i for US History, Schaum’s Outline of Modern European History , and the PR book comes in a (distant) second. Barrons for world History.</p>

<ol>
<li>It won’t be that much different. Euro is getting changed next year. But these are mostly format changes, the content will largely remain the same, so dont preoccupy yourself with this, </li>
</ol>

<p>I have scored 5s in all 3 exams and have a pair of 800s in US and World subject test, so I speak from successful experience. Hope I helped</p>