Cracking the AP European History, 2002-2003 Edition (College Test Prep) [Paperback]

Kenneth Pearl (Author)

Book Description

Series: College Test Prep | Publication Date: January 29, 2002

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the AP European History exam is very different from getting straight As in school. The Princeton Review doesn't try to teach students everything there is to know about European history--only the techniques they'll need to score higher on the exam. There’s a big difference. In Cracking the AP European History, TPR will teach test takers how to think like the test makers and

• Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool test takers
• Score higher on the multiple-choice section by using the chronological arrangement of questions as clues
• Crack the document-based question by knowing the right way to organize the essay
• Earn more points by reviewing the European history most likely to be tested

This book includes 2 full-length, simulated AP European History exams. All of The Princeton Review practice test questions are like the ones test takers will see on the actual exam, and every solution is fully explained.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the AP European History exam is very different from getting straight As in school. The Princeton Review doesn't try to teach students everything there is to know about European history--only the techniques they'll need to score higher on the exam. There?s a big difference. In Cracking the AP European History, TPR will teach test takers how to think like the test makers and

? Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool test takers
? Score higher on the multiple-choice section by using the chronological arrangement of questions as clues
? Crack the document-based question by knowing the right way to organize the essay
? Earn more points by reviewing the European history most likely to be tested

This book includes 2 full-length, simulated AP European History exams. All of The Princeton Review practice test questions are like the ones test takers will see on the actual exam, and every solution is fully explained.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review; 2002-2003 edition (January 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375762264
• ISBN-13: 978-0375762260
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,750,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ALL YOU NEED, May 10, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Cracking the AP European History, 2002-2003 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

For AP European History exam preparation, I used three review books: ARCO, PRINCETON and REA. Each of these books had something unique that made studying productive...and definetely got me higher than a three (I don't know for sure, I just got back from the test an hour ago). I'll give you the basic information about each one:

ARCO-this book has a short historical review, but the writing style and page format are IDEAL FOR HIGHLIGHTING and putting in sidenotes. The tests were relatively easy and the "how to take the test" parts are worthless, But this book is PERFECT FOR GETTING THE BIG PICTURE. The practice essay questions at the end of each chapter had an enormous impact on my success, but lacked explanations and sample essays; what I did was write the essays and then I had my teacher look at them.

PRINCETON-this review book has a COMPREHENSIVE SECTION ON HOW TO TAKE THE TEST. The historical review is more INTRICATE than the ARCO book, but sentences are wordy and is NOT IDEAL FOR HIGHLIGHTING OR NOTE TAKING. The tests were harder than in the ARCO, and contained detailed explanations. The book helps put together the pieces of the puzzle, but not as well as ARCO. In addition, a helpful index appears in the back of the book.

REA-This book goes into WAY TOO MUCH DETAIL. I would highly recommend it to those students with die hard teachers though. For the regular joe, THIS BOOK CONTAINS SIX PRACTICE TESTS. Some questions will make you scared, but for the most part, the questions are general and straightfoward, just like the real test. The essay questions are great too; sample essays appear with the answer keys after each test.

I recommend the ARCO book in order to get the BIG PICTURE.
I recommend the PRINCETON book for it's HOW TO SECTION and SEMI-DETAILED HISTORICAL REVIEW.
I recommend the REA book for it's TESTS.

Other than that, its your choice.

Oh yeah, if anyone tells you that the test is hard, tell them that they didn't work hard enough. As long as you put the time and effort in, you don't screw around in class, and you realize that YOUR GRADE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, you'll do fine. I had a lazy teacher, but I managed to pull it off. ;-)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Review Book, November 21, 2002

By 

just bein' Frank (Woodbury, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cracking the AP European History, 2002-2003 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

The problem with writing reviews about AP review books is that, if you wait until after you've taken the AP exam to review the book's effectiveness, it's already too late and the publisher has put out an edition revised for the upcoming school year. So you may take this review with a grain of salt, since I'm reviewing this book in the midst of my European History course.

So far, the book has been great. The Princeton Review's AP United States History review helped me so much that I decided to stay with that company for my Euro class, and I haven't been disappointed. The book does a great job with reviewing major periods of time and has helped me study for tests. One particularly hard era to learn about is the "Rise of Monarchical States" (1500-1700) when we had to memorize the accomplishments of various monarchs (most with similar names!) from various countries. "Cracking the AP European History Exam" read like a story and really helped me remember each figure.

I recommend the Princeton Review's "Cracking the AP European History Exam."

(Note: The book's cover says the author is Kim Magloire, when in fact it is Kenneth Pearl.)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, November 9, 2003

By 

"caraudiofreak" (Chesterfield, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the AP European History, 2002-2003 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

I had 4 Euro books. REA, Arco, Princeton, and Barron's.
All four had their strong points. I'll list those:

Arco

A great review book. Has a concise and quick review. The timelines at the end of each chapter are great to get the idea of when everything occurred. The test were real good too.

Princeton

If only getting one book, this would probably be the one. Longer reviews than Arco but shorter than REA. Bolds keywords which is really good. This book probably had the best questions matching the test.

REA

This book has a lot of information. Longest and most detailed by far. It is like a textbook. It has six tests. The tests are almost all fact based. It is a very good book. THis book and Arco are good counterparts.

Barron's

It only has one review. The reviews aren't very lengthy. Only good thing about this book is that it has questions about each section after the chapters. It helps with the class preparing for specific tests. Only advantage this book has over the others.