BEFORE WE BEGIN
Reading This Guide
This guide provides you with the specific format of the AP U.S. History test, two sample AP U.S. History tests, and a comprehensive review of U.S. history. After each review chapter you will find a time tine and several sample questions that might appear on the AP test.
Reading this guide is a great start to getting the grade you want on the AP U.S. History test, but it is important to read on your own as well. Several groups of students who have all gotten a 5 on the test maintain the key to success is to read as much as you can on U.S. history as you possibly can.
Reading this guide will not guarantee you a 5 when you take the U.S. history exam in May, However, by carefully reviewing the format of the exam and the test-taking strategies provided for each section, you will definitely be on your way! The review section that outlines the major developments of U.S. history should augment what you have learned from your regular U.S. history textbook. This book won't “give” you a 5, but it can certainly point you firmly in that direction.
Thinking Historically
Even if you have a photographic memory, there is more to do to get a 5 on the AP U.S. History exam. Unfortunately, knowing all of the dates, names, and important events of U.S. history is not enough. It is important that you develop the ability to analyze these events: to judge their importance, to analyze why they occurred, and to understand what the ramifications of these events were. Historical analysis is somewhat different than the analysis you do in an English or a physics class. There are plenty of examples in this book to help you to develop the skill of historical analysis, or to reinforce the skill if you already have it.
The Importance of Studying U.S. History
Please do not approach U.S. history as a study of old, irrelevant names, places, and dates. U.S. history is not an old, dead topic. The events you study in your U.S. history course all, either indirectly or directly, have an influence on the United States today. Also, at the risk of sounding incredibly corny, U.S. history is a great story! Allow yourself to become familiar with some of the bizarre and humorous events and people in U.S. history as well. Let the subject come alive! This will put you in the right frame of mind to seriously study the subject matter.
”I strongly encourage my students to keep up with current events. It helps to provide some context to the history they are studying.”
—AP Teacher
Why This Particular Guide
The author of this book has taught U.S. history for over 20 years and is very familiar with the AP test and why students succeed (or don’t succeed) when taking it. In a sense, my students have taught me a lot of what is in this book; I have seen over the years what works for them, and I have tried to include as much of this as possible in this book. I have also tried to keep this book user-friendly for you. I teach U.S. history to eleventh graders (which I suspect the vast majority of readers of this book are), and I have written the book in the language in which I converse with my students. I sat down and had lengthy conversations with seven groups of AP students (from seven different schools) before beginning this guide; many of their suggestions are included here.
Some of the other specific advantages of this guide are that it will
• Give you a very comprehensive review of the key events and trends of U.S. history
• Anticipate and answer many of the questions you have about the test
• Explain strategies for being successful in each part of the test to you
• Help you to “think historically” (as noted previously)
• Provide you with numerous opportunities to practice the types of questions that will be on the test
• Provide you with a comprehensive glossary of U.S. history terms
• Make you aware of the Five-Step Program for mastering the AP U.S. History exam
Organization of This Book
The introductory chapters of this book give you critical information on the AP U.S. History exam in general, and then specific detail on the multiple- choice and the essay sections of the exam. Specific strategies for success are given in each of these sections. Even though the major reason for getting this guide might have been to go through the section that reviews the details of U.S. history, it is strongly advised that you read these sections carefully. Taking the time to do the Diagnostic Exam will give you a good idea of where you stand before you start your preparations.
A 23-chapter review of the major events of U.S. history follows, with sample questions at the end of each chapter. A glossary of key terms used in these chapters is found at the very back of the book.
Two complete sample exams are also included, with all of the correct answers (and why they are correct) also noted.