APUSH Test

Umm, I'd offer advice, but I never really studied for the exam and got a 2. So, I'm not really sure I could be of any help. I'm sure there are others with suggestions though.

Remember one thing that my AP teacher pointed out, a 5 is not perfect, it's excellent, but not perfect. You don't have to ace everything to get a 5. Just a little tip.

my 5th post study study and ohh ya study

My APUSH instructor is also a Table Leader at the AP US History Grading Sessions.

Making a 5 requires a lot on your part. It requires you going above and beyond what the class goes over daily. Personally, I am seven chapters ahead of the class and my teacher has decided to start teaching from my binder because I take excellent notes as I read.

You must be a decent writer for the DBQs and FREs. You need to make at least a 7 or higher on the DBQs and FREs and do decent on the Multiple Choice (80 questions) to get your 5.

I haven't taken it, but I cannot wait. If I make a five, my teacher and I are going to turn my binder into a learning tool and market it to high schools.

In terms of study guides i have found that Princeton Review (Red and white cover) breaks things down pretty well and really focuses on what you need to know and the most effective strategies to get a good score. I would also recommend that you take as many practice tests and write on as many topics as possible. The more exposure you get to the material, the better you'll retain it and be able to recall it for the test. Practice essay writing also prepares you for the conditions of the test so that it won't be a shock come test day. Last year i think the thing that helped me the most pass the Ap World History test is that i would learn the material as i would go along, instead of trying to cram it in the week before. Good luck :)

<3 Nina

When I took the exam I think the key was relevant examples on a broad thesis statement. I remember having a choice between the 1950's or the Progressive Era. I could have gave a plethora of information about the 50's, but not as much about why the events of the 1950's transpired. Sure, I could have talked about Dred Scott, the 13th 14th and 15th Amendments, Reconstruction, Lynching and the works, but I felt that it was far too narrow an area. I opted for - to the surprise of most - the Progressive Era because I felt I could really tie in other eras of history, not just the Civil War. In the essay I went beyond talking about just the Progressives. The role of women on social issues (i.e. temperance) throughout history was a dominating theme with mentions of people like Carry Nation. When talking about temperance I made sure I mentioned how World War I played a very significant role in the movement. Also, the egregious toils of politicans provided a nice overview of the Gilded Age as well as the role of trusts (mostly I talked about McKinley, Teddy and Taft). I talked about railroads, initiative, recall and referendum and the works. However, it was my thesis that made it all possible because I talked about how it was the middle class that was fed up with what America was and there wish to change what was happening that really created the Progressive Era and, in turn, all the things that came out of it.

Everything I wrote attempted to encompass as much relevant history as possible like this, and it didn't take that long (i finished about 20 minutes early and went to the bathroom.) My grade: 5.

I have the same problem! My question is: How can you get a five if your teacher stinks???

We haven't written any DBQs, and our class is focused on, well, the class itself and getting a good grade in that. This includes focusing the entire time on chapter tests and barely studying at all for the final. I really want to do well, and I am a hard worker, but I don't know a good strategy for studying on a weekly basis. I thought about studying one section a weekend, but there aren't enough weekends left. And I don't think 6 hours of reviewing on the weekend will be enough. But there is so much hw for studying for the tests during the week that there is not much time to review for hw, in addition to all my other hw. I am SOO nervous. And truthfully, I just don't think I will be prepared. I want to write essays as practice and turn them in here for you guys to edit. If I do one every weekend, then it will help me dramatically (hopefully). The problem is, in order to have an effective essay, you need to know tons of info and know the signifiance in history of the topic. I don't think I have enough of that, but I don't know how to go about studying it. There is so much information and I don't know where to start! Do I start at ch. 1 and work my way on? But by the time of the exam I may have forgotten some of it! I really need help. I am majorly frusterated at my incompetent teacher. People aren't born knowing how to study for these exams, and I need help. I want a 5. Only 1 person in our school has gotten a five on it in the past few years at least, and she took an online course! And there have been plenty of capable people in APUSH, so obviously the teacher is lacking.

And it is great that Matthew is so good at history and obsessed, but I don't think all the people who get 5s on the exam are like that! There has to be something inbetween doing history 24 hours a day doing the required amount.

I am jealous that your teacher is capable to prepare you enough/give you tips on how to study. Do you have any specific things you do that you could share?

First of all, relax. Seriously relax, take day or two, forget about history, test, and school and go do something you enjoy. Get your mind off of it for a while. I know, I know, "BUT I GOTTA STUDY! ARE YOU CRAZY!?!?" No, I'm not crazy. If your studying while your mind is thinking about "I'M GOING TO FAIL!" or "THIS IS SO FREAKING HARD!" or "The 3 P's? WHAT THE HELL ARE THE 3P'S!?!?!?" You're not going to learn anything or retain any information.

As for a study schedule, when you get home from school start studying APUSH. Eat dinner and after you get done with dinner, do your other subjects. After a couple hours of those, take a break. Go play a video game or watch some tv for a half hour then come back and study apush for another couple of hours. Try to be in bed by 10. Keep your body well rested. That does affect your mental state and ability to learn, trust me.

For your weekends, don't give your Friday and Saturday nights to stay in and study. IT'S THE WEEKEND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Do your studying during the day but once evening hit get out of the house and go have a good time with friends. Mental relaxation my friend, it will help a lot.

Use this site, if you have questions on any era's of history, post them! We moderators, especially pianogirl, will go out of our way to help you. Go over the notes on here. They do a good job of hitting most of the major events in the chapter. Also, if you higlighted your text book, go back over the highlights. Just skim the book. If you re-read it all that's going to happen is you'll remember the end but forget the beginning. This is why, however, some people study backwards when the re-read the book. Read the last chapter first, first chapter last.