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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very valuable study tool for the AP examination., February 23, 2004
This is a very valuable study tool to use in preparation for the AP European History examination, but it needs to be used correctly to be effective! Reading through some of the previous reviews, I fear that the problems some students have noted may not be the fault of the book, but rather of their own study habits. Trying to read the entire book a week or two before the test will NOT work. The material is extremely concentrated and covers more than 400 years of history. Trying to absorb it all in a couple of weeks will do nothing more than mix you up hopelessly and almost guarantee a poor score.Pacing yourself is the KEY to success here. Buy the book as close to the beginning of the school year as you can, and follow along throughout the year. Highlight and take notes where needed. Then, as the test date approaches (i.e. 1-2 months ahead of time), start a more rigorous program. Re-read the material you've already gone over. Then take the practice tests. Over and over and over. Until you can consistently answer almost all of the questions on all of the practice tests correctly. It may seem like overkill, but it's worth it. After each time you take a practice test, check your answers, AND read the detailed explanations given for the answers that you got wrong. These explanations are invaluable. Of further use are the sample DBQ and essay questions given in the book. It's up to you how far you want to go with these. I found that actually writing out an entire essay wasn't necessary. But I would suggest at least compiling an outline for each question, to ensure that you have enough information to provide a good answer. If you find yourself only able to put together a skimpy outline, then read up on the subject and try again. True, only a very small portion of the material covered in the book will actually show up on the test, but you have no way of knowing WHAT portion. This book compiles sample questions from numerous past examinations. There is a LOT of information here. But as my teacher pointed out (and I'm inclined to agree), it's rather like training for a marathon with weights on your legs. You'll get really good at running with weights, and then when you take them off for the actual race, it will seem super easy! I found that to be very true when I took the test after studying with this book. Another handy feature of this edition is that it comes with software that can be used with either Windows or Macintosh. This way you can take the same practice tests on your computer, if you prefer that to studying by hand. It's also easier to check your answers this way, rather than flipping back and forth through the book. AND the software times your tests for you, so you can make sure you're able to cover all the material within the time slot you'll be allowed on the actual test. Overall, this is a great study tool, and should help you immensely if you take it seriously. Good luck!
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A nice study aid, but far too detailed, July 8, 1999
By A Customer
I recently learned that I got a 5 on the AP Exam and I have no doubt that part of the reason for this is that I used this book to study. With that being said, the book does have its problems. The information in the book is exhaustive in detail and attempts to teach the reader everything there is to know about European History; a noble attempt, but wholely unecessary! "Big Purple", as my friends and I referred to the book, is excellent when combined with a shorter, more concise review book (I split my study time between it and "Cracking the AP Euro Exam") but is far too dense to stand on its own...it'll drive you nuts if you try to prepare studying from it alone!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive, February 20, 2005
"The Best Test Preparation for AP European History with software," that is what the front cover of the REA AP European History book reads. However, "The most comprehensive test preparation," would be a more appropriate heading for this book. Having looked at several AP European History books, I have concluded that the REA AP European History book is am extremely long and comprehensive review book that, while it does aid in review, may not be practical by itself.
In judging the value of a test preparation book, the judgement depends on who uses it and what they are looking for in it. This book would be best suited for someone who is looking for an additional source and point-of-view besides their textbook. It would be good for someone who plans to refer to it for the duration of the entire course. It would not be good for the last minute "crammer". In evaluating my use of the book, I fell somewhere between the two extremes and it is from the point-of-view with which I will evaluate this book.
The book is very long. It has more than 300 pages of pure review and information. Some of the information overlaps and is presented more than once. However, it is very comprehensive and contains a lot of information. This is how I used it: I created a list of topics I felt were important to know and then used it as an additional reference source and wrote down the major points for the topic from several sources.
There are six full-length exams in this book (and on the cd). I took multiple practice exams and the actual test, and I'd say that the multiple choice questions tended to be on the hard side, but the essay questions were very similar to the real thing.
The area I felt the book was lacking in was strategies for taking the test. The book really didn't address this aspect at all. I ended up borrowing a book from my teacher that addressed this to supplement my studying. (I think it was the Princeton Review.) These tips were very useful and I'd say that it would've improved the quality and resourcefulness of the book had those tips been in there.
I did very well on the test and I tried to be as objective as possible on this review. I remember trying to choose a review book and I hope that by sharing my opinion of the book, it will help someone else determine which book is best suited to them. If it were possible I would give it 3.5 stars, but I chose to round up to four for its comprehensiveness. However, if you are looking for a general review, I would choose a different book. Good luck!
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