How to Prepare for the AP World History [Paperback]

John Mccannon (Author), Pamela Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barron's AP World Histor | Publication Date: December 2, 2001

Two full-length model AP examinations with answer keys plus a chronological general review of world history make up the greater part of this brand new Advanced Placement test prep manual. Other helpful features include an overview of the exam, and strategies for success in answering multiple-choice and document-based questions, as well as help in answering the comparative essay question. Historical eras in the subject review fall within the five following general categories: Foundations of World Civilization (4000 B.C.-1000 A.D.); World Cultures Maturing (1000-1450); World Cultures Interacting (1450-1750); World Cultures in the Modern Era (1750-1914); and The Twentieth Century and Contemporary World Cultures (1914-present).

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
Choose Barron’s Method for Success on the AP World History Exam

Devise your study plan and set up your personal study timetable

Use this book’s subject reviews to improve your skills in all test topics

Understand the comparative essay-writing question and how it is scored

Take the book’s model exams and score your results

Review the answers and explanations for all test questions

It’s Your Path To a Higher Score --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

(back cover)
Choose Barron's Method for Success on the AP World History Exam

Develop your study plan and set up your personal study timetable

Use subject reviews in book and CD-ROM to improve your skills in all test topics

Understand the essay-writing questions and how they are scored

Take the CD-ROM's model exams with automatic scoring and check your results

Review the answers and explanations for all test questions

It's Your Path To a Higher Advanced Placement Score --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; Underlining edition (December 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764118161
• ISBN-13: 978-0764118166
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depends on what you prefer..., September 26, 2005

By 

Megha Patel "meg" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Prepare for the AP World History (Paperback)

I took the AP World History exam in 2004. This book was my primary source of information, since my teacher was absolutely useless. We were given "study outlines" that were never gone over, and the material was very rarely taught. I didn't really begin studying for the AP exam until March/April. I started to read this book, and found it to be very helpful. When I took the test, I got a 5.

On the other hand, many of my friends expressed a great dislike for this book. They found that Princeton's book was much more concise and easy to understand. Most of the people who used the Princeton book got 4's and 5's.

It really depends on your study habits. Barrons tends to give A LOT of information, some of which is extraneous. Princeton gives you only what you need, but sometimes there are questions on the AP that go beyond the material they cover. So, if you prefer to have all the information you might possibly need (and good practice questions that follow the format of those on the AP), go with Barrons. If you prefer a more concise review (I don't know what the practice questions are like), go with Princeton

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best review for the AP World Exam!, April 30, 2005

By 

Ashley Catherine (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Prepare for the AP World History (Paperback)

I took the test last year as a sophomore and for a first time AP test taker this book made me fell at ease and comfortable. The information is good but not an overload like a text book is.
I was able to read the whole thing in the month before the test. However I would NOT recommend this for someone who wants to cram in all the info the week before the test. Although the information doesn't go over your head there is simply a lot of it. If your prefer the cramming style then Princeton would be a better fit for you (not saying princeton is bad- it would be my second choice). But this book is better as a supplement to a class, or a a longer review.
The greatest help for me were the quizzes at the end of each chapter. It is very easy to forget some of what you have read after 5+ pages of info and the quizzes are great for keeping you from forgeting all that work. Then at the end of each unit (many chapters) the re is a 20 question quiz over everything that is extremly helpful and funtions like the smaller quizzes did. My biggest support for this book comes from the quizzes because all the test prep books I have read since have not had them and subsequently are not as good. One thing the book does not give much help for however are the essays... they have bad examples of REAL work though the questions are a good gauge of how the AP questions will be.
Also I recommend THIS particular book but not Barron's in general, I happen to feel that their AP US History test guide pales in comparison to this book... so I credit the author. I ended up with a 4 on the test, which is part due to my excellent teacher (I got very lucky) and of course my other techer John =).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Work in Progress, March 26, 2002

By 

Thomas M. Martin (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Prepare for the AP World History (Paperback)

In terms of price per page, this study guide is a bargain. But that's one of its problems - length - and the authors know it. Like they say, "It is best to use this book over a long period of time, rather than trying to cram at the last minute."

I confess that I have always been partial to Barron's AP study guides, in part because they included a comprehensive review. But in the case of world history, we're talking about a terse 500 page `world history in brief' that is still half as long as the average textbook. Yes, they have practice tests, but then so do textbook publishers. The question arises whether this study guide is better than just using the textbook - at least this year.

It's anyone's guess whether 2002 students will find this study guide useful. It's going to require at least 50% more time to read and study than the typical AP guide - probably much closer to twice the time. If you're going to give it a try, I would suggest a careful reading of the test taking strategies, the unit overviews, and the key terms and concepts - and then skim through the review chapters to the questions at the end of the unit. Above all, I would suggest buying this study guide early and following the advice of the author; do not wait until the last minute. Teachers who plan to recommend it to their students should probably do so at the beginning of the year.

In many ways, this study guide is an impressive piece of work, but basically I think an AP study guide should be limited to 350 pages and suitable for a last minute "cram". This one's too long for that.