Customer Reviews

Cracking the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Preparation)

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

 

 

Unlike Princeton Review's other test prep books where they constanly stuff your mouth with the 'latest' test taking techniques to help you score higher on the tests, Princeton Review does an amazing thing: they filled the book with CONTENT!!! The book is organized according to how college board organizes the information. Near the beginning of the topics (like Constitutional Underpinnings, Public Policy, Civil Rights, etc.), Princeton Review places a list of important terms. I made a terms worksheet and filled it in as I went - extremely helpful.

There were two things I really didn't like about the book. First, when the book went on a tangent from a chapter (an important tangent) it didn't indicate it was starting a new topic by giving it a new page. [It's really that horrible, I know.] Second, and more importantly, some of the supreme court cases are not thoroughly explained. If you have a teacher, that is no problem, if you don't, just search google and wikipedia or oyez.org are good resources.

I just took the test after teaching the material to myself and I am confident I got a 4 or a 5. The best part was that I taught the bulk of the information to myself in a week while keeping up (barely) with other homework. I highly recommmend Princeton Review's resource for this AP test!

I thought it was excellent. In the back it had a list of court cases and other such simple lists. The material is thorough, but still manageable. I used this book and 5 Steps to a 5 when I studied last year and I got a 5 on the exam, so I'm obviously happy.

I think it was a great book to study from, and the practice questions were a good help. The material isn't too tedious that you can't stay focused and the chapters aren't too long that you feel helpless as you study.

Get it quickly before the AP!

it is exactly what it is.... a perfect thurough summary of all the information on the test and full out questions and essays questions... good stuff...It then explains the answers thuroughly, perfect for preparing for the test.

This 273 page book uses a similar format as all other review books with the exception of Pamela K. Lamb's FIVE STEPS TO A 5 ON THE AP: U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. For example, it has a multiple-choice section that explains the types of questions, using the process of elimination to isolate the answer, and using common sense. On the essay section, there are suggestions to address the question, providing evidence, and planning and writing the essay. On these two areas, the Princeton Review does a better job on "strategizing" and goes into detail on arriving at the answer than any of the other books.

The subject review is also the best, about a half-step up from Soifer's U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. The reviews are covered in narrative format and contained many details. The length is just right.

Like similar publications, it has two sample AP tests with explanation of the answers. Unfortunately, the explanations are not as good and as detailed as in Soifer.

In the end, there is a glossary of key terms with definitions and a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

Despite the pluses, the book fails in a few areas. First, it does not have sample multiple-choice questions at the end of each subject review section. Second, the contents is lacking in basic tables, illustrations, and charts. Examples include a visual breakdown of powers given in the Constitution, or an illustration of the various ways that the three branches of government "check and balanc" each other, or a listing of the important U.S. Supreme Court cases. These things are very important. Third, there is no listing of internet resources for further study.

If you "can live" without these things, the test taking advice and content information are "well worth the purchase."

I purchased this review book in the hope that I could use it to teach myself the material for the exam. The information presented in the book was both comprehensive and brief enough to keep the book easy to read. I read this book without taking a class and received a 5 on the exam. Although the questions in the book are slightly harder than the real exam, they are still very helpful as a preparation for the exam. I recommend this book to those who want to do well on the exam.

I've always been a fan of Princeton Review test prep books, but this one has insufficient depth of review. The material review section is essentially the same as an on-level high school Civics textbook. What really seals the deal, though, is that the AP Government and Politics exam has a very different format of free response questions from the AP European and U.S. History tests, and this book's sample free response help section explains how to formulate a thesis statement, etc., none of which will be of any help on the real AP Government and Politics exam. The sample free response questions are very different from the real thing. Anyone who relies on this book for test-taking strategies will be, at best, extremely confused when he or she is taking the real AP test.

We found this very helpful in reviewing for the AP exam. Did very well on the test.

Would recommend.

All of the "Cracking the AP _____" books are incredible. I used two of them last year with great results; they probably are the sole reason for my 4 in both tests. I bought this book because I knew it would help me learn what I need to know to pass the test.

It's REALLY GOOD!!! I got a 4 on the AP U.S. Gov't & Politics exam!!!