AP Achiever (Advanced Placement* Exam Preparation Guide) for European History (College Test Prep) [Paperback]

Chris Freiler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0073256722 | ISBN-13: 978-0073256726 | Publication Date: January 22, 2008 | Edition: 10

Designed to help Advanced Placement students succeed in their studies and achieve a ‘5’ on the AP Exam, AP Achiever for European History provides:

• A thorough explanation of course expectations, exam parameters, preparation suggestions, as well as comprehensive tips on writing essays for the document-based and free-response section of the Exam, all to help your students maximize studies and time.
• Each chapter includes a thorough content review and “Heads Up!” and “Sidebar” sections designed to connect important topics, clarify common misunderstandings, or add important information to assist in preparation for the exam. This book covers standard political, diplomatic, economic, and intellectual trends, but also makes a special effort to incorporate essential social and cultural history that is increasingly emphasized on the exam. Multiple-choice, document-based questions and free-response questions with detailed answers are included for each chapter.
• Two complete timed practice exams with detailed answers and sample essays help students gear up for your final test day.

AP Achiever for European History may be used independently or in conjunction with any European History text. For the most benefit use in conjunction with McGraw-Hill’s leading text, History of the Modern World, 10th Edition, by Palmer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chris Freiler has taught Advanced Placement European History at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, IL, since 1993. Before that, he taught AP United States History and Political Science at Morgan Park Academy in Chicago, IL. He has also served since 1997 as a reader and table leader for the AP European History annual exam scoring. From 1998 to 2002, Chris served on the Test Development Committee (and later as an independent consultant) for AP European History, in the process acting as the primary author for three different document-based questions used on the national exam. Recently, he was appointed to the College Board Commission to reexamine the AP European History curriculum. Beginning with the 2007 exam scoring, Chris will serve as Assistant Chief Reader. Chris earned his B.A. in history and political science from Northwestern University in 1987, graduating with Highest Distinction and an M.A. in history from the University of Virginia in 1989. He is currently working toward an M.A. in philosophy at Northern Illinois University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill; 10 edition (January 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0073256722
• ISBN-13: 978-0073256726
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > History > Europe > Ireland
  • #67 in Books > Education & Reference > Education > Test Guides - College & University > Advanced Placement

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AP Achiever, May 15, 2007

By 

Lee Christensen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AP Achiever (Advanced Placement* Exam Preparation Guide) for European History (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

This book is a must-have for taking the AP Euro test. It's structured in a way that makes it easy to review a certain era of history and focuses on the key components that are then tied in to general themes. The book really allowed me to link all the events and concepts together that I learned in class. I found this review book to be the most helpful because it didn't read like a textbook. The wording was clear and nothing was dragged out for so long that I lost interest.
At the end of each section there are example multiple choice and essay questions that I felt were comparable to the ones on the actual AP Test. They allowed me to check my knowledge on a certain section of history and to see whether I needed to review it more or not. In the back of the book there are answers to the questions that provide thorough explanations so not only do you know the right answer, you know WHY it is the right answer.
Another thing that is unique about this book is that it has TWO practice AP Tests at the end so you can check your progress. If you do well on these practice tests then you are definitely prepared for the real AP Test.
Overall this was a great review book and I benefited from it a lot.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Review Book - No Contest, November 6, 2007

By 

Carrie Lucking "Carrie Lucking - AP Teacher" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AP Achiever (Advanced Placement* Exam Preparation Guide) for European History (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

I've taught AP European History for 10 years and never recommended a review text to my students, until now. Unlike other review texts, the AP Achiever is comprehensive; well balanced in terms of political/diplomatic, intellectual/cultural, and social/economic history; user-friendly; and even entertaining at times. Freiler manages the broad scope of European History with humor, clarity, and the expertise of someone who has been on the inside of creating the AP Exam. I strongly recommend his text for both students and instructors.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource, October 7, 2007

By 

J. Coltea - See all my reviews

This review is from: AP Achiever (Advanced Placement* Exam Preparation Guide) for European History (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

This is a very concise review book that basically covers anything and everything you need to know for the AP exam. Throughout the whole course of the school year I Struggled to maintain a B average in the class, due to the fact that I never touched the text. This book saved me on the AP test. With diligent application and studying of the material presented, there is no reason as to why anyone would even need to bother with the text book. I managed a five, and actually found the test to be relatively easy due to the information i got from it. The chapters are reviewed in Chronological order, and end with 10 review questions that are good estimates of one's understanding of the chapter. There are many essay examples throughout, and detailed explanations of why they were good or not. The practice tests in the back were also very good examples of what appeared on the AP test. The only qualm I had with the book was a lack of an index of key terms; this wasn't too big of an issue, since the chapters were organized nicely, but this would have been a helpful addition. All in all, the review book is great as both a companion and as a stand alone review of the material in the course.