Cracking the AP European History Exam, 2004-2005 Edition (College Test Prep) [Paperback]

Princeton Review (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 2004 | Series: College Test Prep

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the AP European History Exam is very different from getting straight A’s in school. We don’t try to teach you everything there is to know about European history–only what you’ll need to score higher on the exam. There’s a big difference. In Cracking the AP European History Exam, we’ll teach you how to think like the test makers and
-Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool you
-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 your essay
-Earn more points by reviewing the European history topics most likely to be tested
This book includes 2 full-length simulated AP European History tests, as well as practice questions in the review chapters. All of our practice questions are like the ones you’ll see on the actual exam, and we fully explain every answer.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the AP European History Exam is very different from getting straight A?s in school. We don?t try to teach you everything there is to know about European history?only what you?ll need to score higher on the exam. There?s a big difference. In Cracking the AP European History Exam, we?ll teach you how to think like the test makers and
-Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool you
-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 your essay
-Earn more points by reviewing the European history topics most likely to be tested
This book includes 2 full-length simulated AP European History tests, as well as practice questions in the review chapters. All of our practice questions are like the ones you?ll see on the actual exam, and we fully explain every answer.

About the Author

The Princeton Review is the fastest growing test-preparation company in the country, with over 60 franchise offices in the nation. Each year, we help more than 2 million students prepare for college, grad school, professional licensing exams, and successful careers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review (January 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375763864
• ISBN-13: 978-0375763861
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,288,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Main book for getting a five, July 19, 2005

By 

szng - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the AP European History Exam, 2004-2005 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

I made a five on the AP European exam in 2005, which was nice because it was one of my first APs, and our teacher was not particularly good. We skipped large sections of the textbook. However, this review book helped me immensely in preparing for the AP test.

The material in this book covers most things, but very briefly. For example, each historical character might be favored with a sentence or two. For this reason, reading through this book alone will not get you a five, although it probably will gurantee you a four if you read carefully. However, if you sit down and memorize every proper noun in this book, it should be enough for a five.

Our school administered a practice test about a month before the exam. During the day before and of this practice test, I read through the entire review book and actually scored a five. However, during the week of the exam, I went through the book again and took notes on everything I could not describe in enough detail. AP Euro FRQs are extremely detailed, but the multiple choice is relatively okay. I didn't leave any blank and was unsure of about ten.

The practice exams are comparable, although the FRQs are somewhat easier, but it doesn't matter because College Board releases all old FRQ questions on their website.

I also had two other books: Rea and Modern European History by Birdsall S. Viault. Rea is overly detailed. The questions are not realistic at all, being fact-based instead of cause-and-effect based. Modern European History is not a book written for the AP exam. It doesn't make sense to study from this book either, but I would recommend buying it as a reference during the year.

Overall, Princeton Review's Euro AP is quite excellent.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT REVIEW BOOK!!, July 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Cracking the AP European History Exam, 2004-2005 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

This book was great! I just got back my AP score, and I got a 4! I know that I wouldn't have gotten that score without this book.

If you're looking for a review book that is easy to understand and comprehensive you should choose this book. The chapters aren't too long, so you won't feel overwhelmed. It also helps you to look at the big picture of things. The practice tests also helped me prepare for the real test because the questions were so similar. The essay section of the book also helped me to structure my writing and clarify my thoughts.

I started preparing about 3 weeks before this test, and finished this book in a couple nights. Unlike the HUGE REA review book that most of my friends used, I actually finished my book. Most of my friends found the REA book so overwhelming because it went into TOO much detail. So, my friends barely got through the first 100 pages because there was too much to learn.

So, if you're only a few weeks from the AP test, and you want a review book that is both concise and thorough, you should DEFINATELY choose the Princeton Review book over the REA book. I know that I would have been doomed without it. Believe me, before I got this book, I thought I was gonna get a 2.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful and Encompassing Review, May 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Cracking the AP European History Exam, 2004-2005 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

Having just recently taken the Ap European History examination I must say that this book is extremely useful. To start off it presents perhaps one of the best historical reviews availible on the market. The book covers the major points in European history, and allows you to see the "big picture" as to how events relate to each other. Furthermore the practice tests offer questions that are of considerably comparable value to those on the exam, even coming close to the wording at times. However, some questions are just simply too obscure to be mentioned on the exam, such as a question about a department store, etc. Luckily unlike other review books such as Rea, the Princeton book has very few instances of this type of question. I also obtained Rea to use during the year, but in general it only really came in handy when my teacher presented us identification questions on detailed events. The AP exam is not going to ask you events that are that obscure. Essentially to date I have not seen a better book for the exam having tried both REA and seen the Barrons review.