<p>Can someone tell me whether the Sparknotes USH tests are more difficult than the actual USH Subject test. They seem to be testing trivia and the curve is fairly harsh. In other words, are they harder than the real SAT USH Subject Test?</p>
<p>Anyone out there to help on this?</p>
<p>I am scheduled for the US History SAT II a week from tommorow. I have been preparing with the Sparknotes books and the tests seem to be pretty easy in comparison to what people have told me/ average scores. I am not the smartest guy and I haven't had a U.S. History class since freshmen year; I got a 760 on the first practice test I took. As a rule, I always thought that the practice tests were supposed to be harder, but who knows?</p>
<p>My D is presently in an Honors U.S. History class and has been taking the Sparknotes tests in the book which contains just tests and has been having REAL difficulty doing well. She has just about a 2000 on her SAT's but can't seem to get the hang of the Sparknotes tests. Her scores have been really low--well below 600 and some even below 500 as if she is doing something wrong. Are these tests really a good indicator of performance on the real Subject Test? It seems odd that she would be in about the 90th percentile on her SAT's but not able to get up to the 50th on US History. What is she missing?</p>
<p>johnross i just took a practice test on sparknotes.com and scored a 650, it was my first time taking a practice for the US History subject test. I think it may have to do with the fact that your daughter is in Honors US History and not AP US History. The US History sub. test seems to be quite similar to the AP US History test and therefore those who studied for the AP test have a distinct advantage to those whose classes did not revolve around the AP test, like your daughter. </p>
<p>That's my theory at least. </p>
<p>I hope to be able to pull my score to over 700, I started studying a bit late though. If I cut down on dumb mistakes I should get about a 700.</p>
<p>i found sparknotes to be easy v. the real one</p>
<p>Which test prep book has the best/most realistic practice tests? Is it Kaplan or Princeton Review or Sparknotes?</p>
<p>My son is taking sat II's for us hist, world hist, and bio next week. He recently took the ap tests for US Hist, Euro Hist and Bio. He has the barron ap review books. He also has the real sat II's by collegeboard. Should he look at some rev books for the subject II's made by kaplan or barrons or are the ap books just as good?</p>
<p>i heard sparknotes is easy. In fact, one should not refer to one book for this test. Using several is perfectly fine. If you have trouble with a certain era, look at three different books. They tend to explain the same core facts, but also add different views and other facts in addition to statements. I am not sure how i'll do, but im shootiung for a 800 for the June test. If I were you, study sparknotes, barrons, kaplan, and maybe some AP books. There are usually only 3-5 trivia questions on the test, meaning that you could get all of them wrong and still pull an 800. Just learn as much as you can and from as many places as possible and your score will be high. </p>
<p>John Ross- Your D is not missing a thing. The SAT test is different then the subject tests. Especially history. In the SAT II History and Bio, your D needs to memorize as many historical facts as possible and be able to relate them to certain time periods. She must also be able to answer questions using charts, graphs, or images, which is also different from SAT. To crack down on charts, graphs, images, make sure she has knowledge about time periods. As for facts, the only way is to take practices tests and remember the right answers. In addition, review sections you missed incredibly and take another test.</p>
<p>i took the sat ushistory subject test and am using the sparknotes book for review for my second try.</p>
<p>i got 650 the first try but mostly because i worked much to slow.</p>
<p>the review itself is helpful, and the pratctice tests are quite close to the actual test.</p>
<p>however, on the actual test, i saw more charts and maybe 1-2 more cartoons.</p>
<p>i thought the actual test was harder, but i can't say is that's because i knew less before than i know now.</p>
<p>Is the sparknotes review better than the kaplan review?</p>
<p>woot, just took my second free sparknotes.com practice test and got a 680. with just a bit more review and better guessing I should be able to break 700 in no time. :)</p>
<p>cool</p>
<p>Wait so do you get a different test each time you sign up for a free sparknotes test? How does this thing work?</p>
<p>you pick a different test everytime you sign up for a new account... they have 5 different US History ones, so I still have 3 left to go...</p>
<p>lol are they the same ones from the book? cuz if so, then i'll be saving some money which is a very good thing since i'm getting sick of spending money on these damn test prep books.</p>
<p>idk i never bought the book, it's probably very similar tho</p>