Customer Reviews

Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam, 2002-2003

5 star:		(7)
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3 star:		(1)
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One can never predict what questions and what materials might appear on an AP exam. In the last few days before an AP test, any student will tell you, "cramming" as much information into your memory as possible is essential; it is your one last chance to review.

This is where "Cracking the AP US History Exam" helped me; it surveys all of U.S. History, from John Smith to George Bush. Its summary and review were indispensible. As a companion to my class notes, it was instrumental in my performance on the exam.

Although I only started reviewing until the last couple of days before the exam, which i wholeheartedly do not advise you do, this book truly helped me go over everything in the test. This being my first ap test ever, the test strategies helped a lot. The review, however, was probably the most help to me. It went over all aspects of US history that were relevent to the test and actually helped me learn the first hundred years, due to a bad teacher in the beginning of the year. The review was also written in easy to understand short sentences, which definitely was a big help in memorizing information and actually understanding the topics. My advice is to buy this book early and use it while you're doing AP US schoolwork, then take the practice tests and review about a month before the big day. If you do all that, chances are you'll probably get at least a 3, which many colleges count towards credit. I got a 4, a result that I am pleased with. Well anyways good luck with the exam! You'll breathe a big sigh of relief once it's done!

I also studied this book religiously the month before the AP exam earlier this month and I have a great feeling about my success on it. Here is my formula if you want to succeed:

1. Read your own textbook in depth
*you never know what is going to be on the test
2. Be sure to get this book early
* I bought mine in october (but I didn't start reading it until April)
3. Read the review twice
4. You can take the practice tests but I didn't. Just go over ALL of the questions - THEY REPEAT THE QUESTIONS ON THE ACTUAL TEST!!!
5. Pray for a DBQ that you can write about-it worked for me because the DBQ this year was on the New Deal and that was the ONLY thing my horrble teacher taught us (literally).
6. I won't lie, the free response is tough so be sure to do step #3.
7. Here's a personal tip: I remember stuff if I write it down so I kept a little pocket notebook with me and wrote in it when I read the second time.
8. You have to get to Watergate- anything after the resignation isn't going to be on the DBQ.
9. Be sure to visit apstudent.com-IF NOTHING ELSE!

I wish you all success on the AP Exam.

Let's see. My teacher wasn't much of a teacher. Out of my whole school one person got a 5 (me), and one got a 4. That is sad. I attribute my success to the Princeton Review's summary of US History. The essay and DBQ advice is fairly obvious and pointless, but the review easily makes up for it. By this book, and REA's book, read the review in this one and take all the multiple choice tests in REA (I only took 2, and found a lot of questions that were in the books were actually on the test), and I guarantee at least a 4.

This book is pretty helpful as an addition to your usual AP course. It goes over all the important themes and facts in a very easy-to-understand way. However, do not rely on it solely and expect to pass the AP with a 5. DO take the practice tests in the back - they are extremely helpful. I got a 5.

This book is a great thing to read after you review everything. It's concise and well explained. I am a horrible student at history because I've never had a good teacher. I actually had a D in my history class but I got a 4 on the AP test! I don't recommend reading Rea. Some people say it's too long...but in reality it's just too complicating. You have no idea what they are even talking about. My friend used Rea all year long and got a 2. I used Kaplan first and then Princeton Review like a week before the AP test and I know Princeton Review made the difference between a 3 and a 4 for me. I remember when I was taking the test like 20 questions came from the Princeton Review book almost like word for word. Get this book!

I took the AP US History Exam in May 2003. The m/c were easy at first but started getting really hard. This book is good enough to score you a 2 or 3... possibly a 4, and if you're a natural history person or paid attention in class maybe a 5... i chose this book because the history review in the book was short (the review itself was only about 180pages long) compared to the other ap books. the review was very general, kinda vague... not indepth. therefore, i left about 30 m/c blank! well, that's how unsure i was about the questions. this book didn't do a good job in my opinion. i am not very eager to find out how i did on the national exam. however, this book is probably very useful if you've only got 2 weeks to prepare for the national exam. otherwise, i suggest something more indepth. the REA AP bok is way TOO MUCH indepth in my opinion, which is why i bought it and ended up not reading it. :( find something in between. g'luck!

Ok, well if you are in
AP US history, you gotta get this book. Theres a section that explains to you what kind of questions will be on the test and how to answer. The best part is the summery part, its on point and very helpful. Then they have a list of words you should know which should be helpful. Then they have 2 practice AP exams with explainations to each answer. If you want to get a good grade, get this book.

This book has a really great quick review of US history. I literally started reading the review two days before the actual AP test, and I'm certain that run-through helped me earn a 5 on the AP test. This book isn't a standalone certainly, but if you've worked hard/have a good teacher, then this book will just further cement your knowledge of facts and themes. Plus, the Princeton Review people always have a writing style that engages you, rather than puts you to sleep.

I was in Honors US History, and I self studied for the AP US History exam about a month before the test date. I didn't write ANY practice DBQ's or essays whatsoever, just read through this book twice. I used only this book to study, and well, I got a 4! I hope that serves as inspiration to all of you out there who is self studying for this test.