Customer Reviews

Cracking the AP US History, 2000-2001 Edition

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As of now, I am a high school senior who took AP US History last year as a Junior. Sadly, my teacher wasn't a teacher; he never lectured, discussed material or did anything one might associate with teaching. I knew that I needed to teach myself US history so I went to the book store and looked at the different AP review books. I must admit that the reason I chose this one was the low cost and the short length but I'm glad I did. The review is concise, accurate, simple and even sometimes humorous. I was well prepared for the AP test long before test-day and I feel that without this book I would not have passed. Did I mention that I got a 4? My only complaint would be that it only has one full length practice test, but it was great. Also, I just went to the library and photocopied other tests from other books. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone. I guarantee that if you're committed, you will be pleasantly surprised with your grade.

I used this book to help me prepare for the AP US History exam last year, and I got a 5. It provides helpful test-taking hints for those who get tripped up on multiple choice questions (and take it from someone with LOTS of standardized testing experience- test-taking skills are half of what you need to know). It also provided quick but informative review of the stuff you need to know for the exam. Just make sure you prepare on your own for the DBQ! Good Luck!

"Cracking the AP US History" is a perfect book for a quick review before the AP or test during the year; its summaries are for the most part easy to understand, inclusive of major people and events, and concise enough to make for a quick read.

However, this book is NOT an appropriate alternative to sitting down with whatever history book you use during the school year and really studying. I would strongly advise against relying on "Crack the AP US History" for your primary study resource.

I found that the AP exam that the book includes is good for seeing how well you know your stuff before really sitting down and studying, but again, is woefully inadequate to prepare one for the actual exam. I would strongly recommend getting other AP exams, questions and DBQs from your teacher to compliment this book.

A decent buy as a review book, but by no means guarantees a 5, 4 or even 3 alone.

First of all, I would like to say that the only way to get a 4 or 5 on the AP U.S. History exam is sit down with whatever text book you have, and read the whole thing. I also suggest outlining each chapter from the very beginning of the course. I suggest reading your text book, going over your notes, and also buying this Princeton Review book as a refresher. I got a 4 on the 2001 exam by this method (I would have got a 5, but I'm one of the many idiots who though nationalism and nativism were the same thing). This book is definitely the best AP review for the U.S. History exam out there (much better than Barrons and REA), and I would suggest using it as a refresher.

It helps summarize the course, but that's about it. The practice tests were a lot easier in the book than on the actual exam, and the summaries were a bit too broad, only about 75% of the actual test was covered on the summaries. I recommend taking a lot of practice tests for review on the objective part, and then reading a broad summary of the course for the essay questions to get a good overview for what they are trying to ask.

This book tells you the layout of the AP History test and points out the cracks in the test like, did you know that the first questions are the easiest ones on the test and then get gradually harder? This book is full of tips like this. There is also an overview of US history and a Full Length practice test. This book is great but I will have to see come May 12th when I take the test if it helped me get a 4 or a 5!

The history review isnt very detailed but you dont need details on the AP test. The writers focus on the main thematic elements of the respective time periods. The writing style is helpful beacause you see things as relating to a greater theme so essay questions are easier to think about and plan. I guess it doesnt get a 5-star rating just because it wasn't great, not because it was bad. I feel my review may be a bit biased; I maintained an A in AP US History the entire year, I recalled all information so I didn't even have to study historical facts, and I studied the night before. Basically, I would have been fine without a review book at all. I probably would have made a 4 or a 5 without studying at all, but I feel certain that after reviewing this book, I have made a 5. If youre like me and dont need to rememorize historical facts and just need a guiding hand with historical themes, then this book is for you.

This book doesn't try to cram your head full of non-stop facts. There are some good tips and an emphasis on the importance of knowing a time-period more than a certain event. For example: rather than remember President Harding remember that the 20's experienced a "Return to Normalcy". Which is a trend for the policies of at least two presidents during this era, (does corrupt gov't ring a bell?).

If you're like me and panic about a test, get this book because it really is great. One part that went a long way in helping me on the subject of writing essays is on pg. 42, about writing the DBQ:

"The question is probably the shortest thing you have to read on the DBQ. Take your time; savor it."

I think this is very important because even the best of us worry and fret and rush through the directions, hence, we screw up, (or at least I do). I've taken to underlining key words and phrases in the question and going back and re-reading after every paragraph to make sure I'm on track answering what they really want.

This book builds your confidence, calms you for the upcoming test, and refreshes everything you're *supposed* to have learned during the school year. Even if you, your teacher or both of you have been slackers.

Each part has something useful, Part I informs you about the testing and what to expect, Part II has facts. It briefly reviews matters of historical importance, Part III has the sample test and its answers. There's a chapter summary for every chapter. So read through the book and check out the summaries when you're through.

I haven't taken the test yet, it's in another week but I feel confident, relaxed and ready. If you take my advice and invest in this, then I hope you feel just as comfortable as I do, right up until the day I walk through the doors of the testing room with sweaty palms and my nails chewed down to stubs.

This is a really long analysis but I hope I was successful enough in glorifying this book so that I can convince you to help me bronze it.

PR has done a fairly good job with Cracking the AP U.S. History. The review chapters are good summaries to go along with the lengthy textbook readings. The practice exam contains questions that are very similar to real AP questions. However, there is only one practice test. The AP European History book from PR has two tests, so why doesn't the APUSH book? Also, do not rely solely on the PR review chapters to prepare for the test. Our school sold us the AMSCO APUSH text. It is a detailed, easy-to-read review of APUSH with lots of realistic practice APUSH questions. That is the best book to have for APUSH.

This is the best AP prep book. It gives VERY helpful tips on answering the multiple choice and writing the essays. This book will tell you how to get a good score without having to memorize millions of facts. It also has a comprehensive review section which goes over what the AP will test on.