Ugh, AP History

[rockerbabe12292]

I just need some support here, I have my AP History test coming up and history is not my strongest subject. I've been studying to the point that I think my brain is going to explode and I still can't get it. I am destined to fail, I really think I'm going to. I keep telling myself that as long as I study, I will do fine, but I keep studying and taking practice tests and I don't think its helping. . .

[Justin Bieber]

It's helping more than you think. I've found that a lot of the multiple choice questions can be answered by using logic too, so try that as well. The more confidence you have in yourself, the better you'll do

I've found these two site helpful:
http://www.historyteacher.net/USQuizMainPage.htm
http://faculty.polytechnic.org/gfeldmeth/USHistory.html

You can try those. Also, making flashcards can do wonders. Breaks are essential too. Taking 5 days off and then seeing how much you remember will give you an idea of what you should review again, and what you know.

You'll be fine

Message me anytime,
-Amy

[InSovietRussiaORGASMGotU]

While history is among my least favourite subjects (unless it's history of science and medicine, which is interesting up to a certain limit), there are basic study strategies that transfer to various courses. For one, take breaks, a 10-15 minute or so break then go back to studying.

For multiple choice tests, read the question and cover the answers. Circle or underline what is important then while the answers are still covered, think what the answer may be. Then look and choose. Hopefully you eliminate all but 2 (ideally all but 1), then you examine them more critically. Alternatively, you look at the choices and see what does not add up to the question, even if it's a small part. In doing this, you can eliminate such choices as "all the above" or a choice of multiple options.

[St.Vincent]

What I would do for AP history (this works for world and euro, I can't see why it wouldn't work for apush) is find outlines for the chapters on the internet and highlight them into the book. I guess this only works if you own the book, but it forces you to read the book and the outline, look for the overlap (that is, the important stuff). That's good for facts and such.

You will also be well off looking for general patterns or rules about history at a certian time, these blanket statements will help you assume your way to a right answer on the iffy questions. The AP focuses a lot on patterns, compares, and contrasts. You get get away with not knowing as many dates and such if you know rules.

Take breaks when studying, make good study tools like charts, and take legible notes. That's just general stuff.

[XC77]

Don't worry baby you will Ace that test you just have to relax. Just dont go overboard with the studing.

[Aberrant]

Remember that not only is remembering information a key component of history, but getting the information out as well. The examiners are looking for coherent sentences which show your understanding not only of the topic but English conventions as well. What is the tests on? As in the components. Is it essays, long answers, short answers multiple choice? Depending on what the test emphasises determines what you should concentrate on.

Also, work out how you learn. If you're auditory, use hearing stimulus- songs, tunes, speaking etc. Visual learner, use visuals - colours, glitter, picture based mind maps. Utilize everything in your arsenal to make your studying interactive to you.

[rockerbabe12292]

The test is made up of mostly mulitple choice and i think 2 essays and a DBQ or something like that, it may just be one essay and one DBQ. I've been studying quite a bit, but I do take breaks. I just have the worst time remembering names and dates, and what important people did and why. . .history hates me!!! The worst part about it is in the multiple choice more than once answer can be right, but only one is the most right!!!! Its horrible and makes my brain hurt!!

[St.Vincent]

Don't whine. You're getting credit for a college class just by taking an 82 dollar exam

Just make the best of it. Try to focus on important names and dates, but if it's not working out with one thing, focus on key concepts and trends, too. If you post which exam you're taking, I can try to find some online resources and consult with my friends who are in that class (or myself) to get you some more specific advice.

Please do not think that the AP exam is the end of the world. It's not. APs are, on average, much easier than the class you're trying to get yourself out of and don't ask anything of you that is unreasonable. Plus, if you look into how they're curved, you have to do really, really poorly to actually fail.

[SillyEvee]

I found it really helpful to study with a friend last year. We'd pick time periods and study them, then we'd "tell" them to each other...like stories, you know? I found that telling it like it was a story (with a beginning, middle, end, characters, climax, crises, etc.) really really helped me. It made the essays way easier, too!
Good luck on the exam! It was the longest three and a half hours of my life, but you feel so good once you get out of it.

[rockerbabe12292]

Well I have to get at least a three sometimes a four, depending on the college, for it to count as a college credit. My teacher gave me a list of terms that I should know for the exam and I've been looking them all up and I find that helps me a lot. Its getting a little better now, but the exam is looming!

[St.Vincent]

^

I think, and I know this is often changing, that the very snooty schools are asking for 5s, sometimes taking 4s. Some of my APs count with a 4, some only with a 5, and some none at all (!!) so it's really a range. 3 is quite generous

Aim for a 5. Key terms sheet = awesome.

[Katieeee]

Ahh the APUSH exam. Three more weeks of sweet freedom. What I found to be helpful is to get one of the APUSH study guide books. Princeton and Kaplan both have really excellent study guides. I have Kaplan, and it comes with several FRQ's to look at and two full length practice tests. Also, I'd recommend getting the SparkCharts that they offer. It comes with several note cards that really refresh your memory.

I've taken a few practice tests, and my AP teacher has given us a list of what to go over on the exam...Here's some random topics that I think you should cover also:
-Which presidencies did certain things happen under and what socio/economic/political things did that president stand for
-Know the rebellions (Stono Rebellion, Bacon's Rebellion etc. etc.)
-Know the court cases (Marburry vs. Madison, Dred Scott, etc.)
-Don't neglect to focus on the Pre Revolutionary area. One practice test that I took had several questions on it about that.
-Know the loyaties of the Indians
-Know the following wars really well: War of 1812, French and Indian War, Spanish American War, and some of the lesser know Indian wars that occured
-And know the policies of the FDR's New Deal. Go over which policies did which, because they will drill you.

Also for the FRQ/DBQ, my teacher said to be sure to know the post Reconstruction/early Industrialization era because that question has not appeared for some time on the test, and he thinks that it's most likely to occur again.

[rockerbabe12292]

Ya I do have one of the study books and I've been using it a lot. It's helping a little bit, I just don't learn from reading, I'm weird.

[St.Vincent]

Have you tried reading aloud? You could get together with a group of friends and read the outlines together, alternating, so you could be taking notes and listening at least part of the time.

If you're not good at taking it in verbally, try making charts and diagrams?

[rockerbabe12292]

O, wow I hadn't thought of that. That would probably be very helpful to me too because I'm an actress so I'm really good at memorizing things that way. Thanks!!!