Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is such an awesome book for the AP European History test. I received a 4 on the test, thanks to this book and a good teacher. The book neatly summarizes everything but makes sure to include everything you need to know. It contains two full length AP tests that are right on par with the difficulty level of the real test.

The information reads extremely well and easily. It doesn't seem like you're reading a text book, but more like you're reading a story- and that's the way history should be. The writers seem to be very witty and occasionally throw in jokes, for example: In the passage about Martin Luther, they talked about how he made a promise to God, and then wrote, "Unlike many of you, who will pray for help on your AP exam, Martin Luther actually kept his promise." Little jokes like that will make you laugh right outloud because it's so unexpected for something to actually be amusing while studying.

The only thing I would change about this book is that I would add more practice questions after each chapter. There's only 5 after each chapter, and some of the chapters are pretty hefty and contain a lot of information. But I would most definitely recommend this book, it's great!

This is undoubtedly the best book to prepare for the AP European History Exam. I also bought REAs book, but found it to be filled with information that was unnecessary (pre-Renaissance) and incredibly unorganized. Not only that, but it did not include a sufficient section on James I through James II.
Cracking the AP European History Exam is the best book for your money. I did not study the entire year and read only about half of this book a month before the test, yet I was still able to get a 4, a very high 4 at that.
I recommend this book to anybody planning on taking the AP European History Exam. I would also recommend any Princeton Review product for whatever you may need. (I own a prep book for: PSAT, AP Physics, and AP Literature)

Princeton Review is a very good resource, especially for AP and (P)SAT preparation. This book has some great tips, especially with the DBQ and free-response essays. The review is excellent (though rather implicit-not too much EXplicit). This is why I STRONGLY encourage you to utilize the Cliffsnotes (excellent prep book as well, great features: timelines after every chapter, but poor review questions) books as well. Some information may be presented in this title a little better to suit your specific learning style. Nevertheless, the review questions after each chapter mimic the College Board's questions. Undoubtedly, the best feature of this book is the two AP exams in the back. I'm not sure if these exams are past College Board releases, but they are very similar. All in all, buy the Princeon Review for the review and practice exams, and buy the Cliffsnotes for its great review as well, timelines, and comprehensive layout.

I used this in conjunction with a textbook (that is to say, when I outlined the text I had this right there with me and was following along there, too) and it is invaluable in offering key impacts and causes. The exams are just beautiful. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

This is a fantastic AP review book-ever since I bought this book-the only AP review book I use is now Princeton. I got a 4 on the test (even though I messed up my numbering and didn't have time to fix it). Its a great review-much more concise than REA. However, in all fair warning, the multiple choice was probably harder but the essays were about the same level of difficulty. If you're going to buy this-study it about one month ahead of time if you're aiming for a 5.. but anyhow, point is study throughout the entire year-actually know what's going on.

I just came back from the 2004 AP European History exam yesterday, and I can tell you now that this is a GREAT book. It contains just the right amount of information for one to do very well on the exam, and it doesn't contain extraneous details like the REA version. I struggled for a while trying to find the perfect AP Euro book, and this takes the cake. I read the whole thing through the day before the exam, and it helped tremendously. Get it.

I felt that this book was a waste of money. Yes it gave an overview of the course, but it did not give enough information to actually help you study. The vocab terms were extremely basic. I suppose if you are just looking for practice tests it could be passable, but for studying purposes I would not recommend it.