Customer Reviews

Cracking the AP World History Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Preparation)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best AP World History prep book on the market. It not only gives a fairly comprehensive review of the history required for the test, it includes comparisons, contrasts, and trends to focus on in the text. The review is concise as well, as opposed to Barrons. DO NOT PURCHASE BARRONS. I repeat, do not purchase Barrons. About half the book is meaningless details that do not help at all. It is way too long, boring, and is pretty much impossible to study from due to its length and extraneous details. The Princeton Review book presents only meaningful information and is easy to memorize. The practice tests, however, are not representative of the real test. I took the AP World History Exam on May 3, 2006---it was far, far easier than Princeton's practice tests, and I found the test itself insanely easy. Using Princeton as your sole study source, as well as thinking critically while reading--making comparisons and contrasts, analyzing trends, etc.--will certainly earn you a 3, and most likely a 4. I read a 1,000 page textbook throughout the year and by the time the test rolled around, I remembered nothing from it. This prep book, which I studied intensely, was basically my only source of information for the test; however, it was a whole lot of information. I received a 5 on the exam thanks to this book. I didn't use my crappy Barrons or unbelievably horrid Kaplan book to study. Just the Princeton Review book. Study this book throughout the school year, know it like the back of your hand (for the most part), and you will breeze through the test.

This is one of the best things I've ever read, even independent of the AP exam, because its main focus is not only on the facts of history, but their SIGNIFICANCE. Substantial portions of each chapter are devoted to an overview of the period, what was most important about it, and comparing and contrasting it with other historical developments. I am actually a teacher studying for the CSET, and this book has been invaluable to me in how I will present this information to my students. So many texts lack this overview, or present facts with insufficient discussion as to why we should care about them!

From most of the unsatisfied students who took the exam using this book, it is likely they did not go through the real world history textbook. This book does not cover every aspect and facts of the subject, rather refresh the memory of your 1000 page textbook.

Essay portion - Useful, but won't help you that much. I learned much of the essay writing skills in class, practicing over and over is the key.
Chapter reviews - Memorizing every bold letter will help you greatly on multiple choice...
Practice test - This practice, I would say it's twice as hard as the real AP. Most of the questions involved extreme analyzing, and not many fact referring. The AP exam is about 1/3 of fact referring, 1/3 not too hard critical thinking, and other 1/3 of referring to above statement/picture.

Overall this is very nice review book. Buy it, but don't hope you'll get a satisfactory AP grade just using it as the only source of review.

This book is designed to help students review for the AP world history exam, and thus isn't designed to be used as a main reference book for class or to read for fun. The book is divided into five parts, each covering a certain era of history: 8000 B.C.E. - 600 C.E., 600-1450 C.E., 1450-1700 C.E., 1700-1914 C.E., and 1914 C.E to the present. In addition, the begining of the book thouroughly covers how to answer multiple choice questions and how to write the three essays required for the AP exam (document based question, compare and contrast, change over time).

This book provides a good, general overview of world history, and places a special emphasis on the effects that events had on each other. Very good when used in conjugation with the textbook- reading it helps bring back details of what you forgot and to reinforce the main points of world history. At times, it seems the authors are trying to talk like a teenager would, which can be both humerous and annoying (although it does make the book easier and faster to read than a textbook). I especially appreciated how well the book covered religion- their main beliefs and how they affected the world were set out with a minimum ammount of confusion.

Two full length practice tests are also provided in the back of the book, which are incredibly helpful for gauging what you still need to review. Answers and why they are correct are thouroughly detailed, meaning you're not left wondering why exactly it was that you were wrong.

I would very much recommend getting this book to review for the AP test- but only read it after you've read the textbook. It's a review, not the only thing to teach yourself history with. A quick way to review and remember critical details without completely re-reading the textbook.

Cracking the AP World History Exam is an invaluable review book that offers a complete yet brief rundown of world history and practice tests and answers that aid greatly in reminding the reader of facts they may have forgotten over the year. Let me make it clear that if you only read this book, you will probably not do very well on your AP Test. It is not a textbook substitute. Its true accomplishments lie in its ability to provide a comprehensive review which is extraordinarily helpful in the days spent cramming before the test. You go through the book, touching on important facts and if you stumble upon one that you've forgotten, you can refresh using the book's brief summary, or find the topic in your textbook. This is a huge step above attempting to go through your entire textbook a week before the test. Anyway, if you're looking for a book to reinforce and refresh your knowledge of World History, this is the book for you.

Postscript: I recieved a five, largely due to my review with last year's edition of this book.

I have all the review books currently available.
This is the best for most students. Easy to read.
Well organized. Practice exams are harder than the
real AP Exam, making it a good review book!
Test-takin tips are excellent.

My son got a fantastic score on his final using this guide. He said it saved him!

It depends on what type of review you are looking for. If you have forgotten all the facts from the earlier part of the history course and want to actually re-study, get the Barron's. Barron's will tell you all the details and facts so you don't have to reread the whole textbook. Personally, I recommend the Barron's because by AP time in May, most students do not remember even half of the material. However, if you want do get a general feel of world history and want easy reading, I guess princeton is the right way to go. But I am warning you...this is only for students who are already pretty familiar with the facts.

well this book isn't that hard of a read. i was so stressed before and after this test. don't be. it's actually not that bad. go with your gut because you don't have the time to second guess and as by my suprise i thought i was going to recieve a two or three on the exam and i got a 5! but do study it is key!

I was out for 15 weeks last year so I taught myself the whole course in a week (I was really bored). It tells you what you need to know, the practice tests are harder than what is on the real AP (which is good) and I think I got a 5 on the exam (I really knew what I was doing). My reccomendations: Take Practice Test 14 BUT DON'T WRITE IN THE BOOK. See how you do. Then go over everything start to finish and take Test 2. You should get a 50/70 if you want a 5. Bad things: Explains the essay's in an impossible way. Use your teacher to explain it.