A.P.U.S. History Multiple Choice Questions Strategies
1.Be Careful—Always make sure you are answering the right question. Mark the answer sheet clearly but not so darkly that it cannot be erased. Do not leave any stray marks on the answer sheet.
2.Use The Process of Elimination—Cross out the obvious wrong answers.
3.Guess If You Can Eliminate At Least 2 Answers—You only lose ¼ point for wrong answers, so play the odds. Guess if you have a ½ or ⅓ chance of getting the answer right.
4.Pace Yourself—Each question is worth the same number of points: one. Don’t spend too long on any single question. Either guess or mark it for later consideration.
5.No Trivial Pursuit—The A.P. exam does not ask arcane questions based on rote memorization. While facts are important, they are always in a historical context.
6.Focus on the Big Picture—The A.P. exam is designed to illustrate basic principles of American history. Therefore, keep in mind that correct answers should not contradict the general trends of American history.
7.Use Common Sense—This strategy is seems obvious but really can help you on the multiple choice.
8.Use Context Clues and Vocabulary—Sometimes the wording of a question can be deconstructed to give you a sense of what the right answer is or at least help you eliminate some wrong answers.
9.Be Careful of “Extreme” Wording—Answers that contain “extreme” words such as “always,” “never” and “completely” are much less likely to be correct than answers that contain more nuanced words such as “usually,” “rarely,” “seldom” or “often.”
10.Don’t Fall For “Distracters”—Some answers are designed to mislead you. Choose the answer that best fits. Remember, not all true statements are correct answers; it depends on what is being asked.
11.Look For Opposites—If two answers are opposites, one of them is often correct.
12.Look For an Answer That “Sticks Out”—If four answers are similar or can be grouped together, consider choosing the remaining answer. However, avoid answers that are ridiculous or do not seem to make sense.
13.Trust Your Instincts—When choosing between answers pay attention to what your hunch or first guess is. Don’t try to outsmart or overanalyze a question. It may be your “right brain” at work. This is particularly important for students with a tendency to change their correct answers to incorrect answers.
Ellington’s Guide to AP US History ReviewBooks
Recommended:Each of these books haveexcellent review sections, several sample tests, and could serve as a student’s core review guide for the APUSH exam.
Kaplan’s AP US HistoryISBN9781419552489 ($18)— This book provides a clear overview of the AP exam and has excellent advice on how to study for it and approach essay (though not multiple choice) questions successfully. Contains 30 review chapters and two sample tests, though the multiple choice test questions do not seem as well written as in other review books.
REA’s AP United States History, 8th Edition ISBN 9780738606248 ($30)—A 370 page review of U.S. history and six full sample tests with detailed answer explanations make this one of the thickest review books available. Some versions come with a CD-ROMcontainingthree of the six sample tests in the book. Parts of the review section seem a little choppy. Contains a good explanation of the AP test, but has no advice on writing essays or answering multiple choice questions. New edition includes 2008 election update.
AP Achiever for AP US History ISBN9780073256603 ($20)—In addition to a well written review section, this book is the only one that explains how relevant AP themes from the course description relate to the content of each chapter. Each of this book’s 34 review chapters contain 12 multiple choice questions, 2 free response and 1 document based question (all with thorough commentary). Unfortunately, the book is formatted as if it was written in Microsoft Word. Thisbook is loosely correlated to McGraw-Hill’s American History: A Survey. Available online only.
Fair: These books are decent choices for test review but are not as strong as the above. Each is flawed in at least one area. There is a significant difference between the best and worst books in the section so try to avoid books that are farther down the list.
AP U.S. History for Dummies ISBN 9780470247587 ($17)—This book is written in the breezy, popular style of the “dummies” series. Yet, it is a serious review book with over 200 pages of review, good study techniques, decent multiple choice and essay advice, and a solid overview of the exam. One significant flaw is that each of its two “review” tests only cover ½ of American history.
Fast Track To A Five:Preparing Students ForAP US History Examination, ISBN9780618250516($28)—This book has a review section that follows the College Board’s suggested outline. Each of its 19 chapters also include 10 multiple choice and 2 free response questions. Three full-length sample tests are also provided.Good multiple choice test-taking advice, but sample DBQs contain too many picture documents. This book is loosely correlated to Holt McDougal’s The American Pageant textbook. It is only available online.
5 Steps to a 5:AP US History ISBN 9780071476317 ($19)—This book contains three sample tests and 250 pages of review. Each review chapter has a8-15 page summary (of mostly political history), a timeline, a bulleted list of things to know, and 5 multiple choice questions. A 30 page glossary of identifications is also included. The sample essay questions and the detailed answers to the essay and multiple choice questions are better than most, though the multiple choice and essay advice is limited. The 2nd edition includes new sections on Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Also appears as if was written and formatted in Microsoft Word rather than a true publishing program.
Spark Notes Guide to AP US History ISBN 9781411405172 ($15)—This book contains almost 300 pages of review and two sample tests. Each review chapter ends with a timeline and a identifications of major historical figures. However, there is very little information about the AP exam itself and virtually no test-taking advice or strategies for multiple choice or essay questions. Do not confuse this book with the woefully indequate Spark Notes AP US History Power Pack.
The Princeton’s Review’s Cracking the AP US History ISBN 9780375765339($18)—This book focuses on test taking strategies and includes very good advice for both essay and multiple choice questions, though some of the multiple choicetips areno longer accurate. Its 100 page review is relatively short and easy to read. Two sample tests with well written multiple choice questions are included. This is a decentoption for those wanting a small review book. However, this book has not been significantly revised in several years and does contain some inaccurate test information.
Barron’s How to Prepare for AP US History, 8th Edition ISBN 9780764193347 ($30)—This book has two sample tests and is written with a strong emphasis on the essay portion of the exam. Its essay preparation is excellent but comes at the cost of its review section. Can be a good choice if supplemented with additional review materials. Some versions include a CD-ROM.
Peterson’sMaster the AP US History, 2nd EditionISBN 9780768924695 ($18)—This 300 page review book contains 2 full sample tests, a diagnostic test, a review section and a quick reference chart about university acceptance of AP scores. Review section is weaker than it appears.
Inadequate:These havevery poor review sections and should not be used.
Spark Notes AP US History Power Pack, Revised EditionISBN9781411415904 ($15)—This weak package contains two laminated timelines, 300 flash cards, two sample tests, a glossary, and a link to an online diagnostic test. The box it’s sold is mostly filled with cardboard.
Prentice-Hall AP Review Guide($15) Prentice Hall publishes AP exam review guides that correlate with their three main AP US textbooks:Out of Many, America Past and Present, and Created Equal. Each review book includes at least 2 sample exams and a bulleted 2-3 page list of key terms for each chapter. These review books must be purchased directly from the publisher.
Cliff’sAP United States History, 3rd Edition ISBN 9780764586903($30)—Four full length sample exams and multiple choice and essay advice are included in this book. The brief 30 page review section consists of lists of terms, concepts, and bibliographies is quite inadequate for most. Some versions include a CD-ROM.
Non-Traditional Review Books: These “review” are shorter and less comprehensive than the typical review book but may be a good choice for students who plan to study heavily from their notes, homework, and the released tests.
Threads of History ISBN 9781413813449 ($25)—This thin book primarily consists of 30 charts and graphic organizers covering main events and themes in American history. Each chart is accompanied by a brief introduction and three multiple choice questions. It also contains two sample tests with a detailed multiple choice answer key but no sample essays. There is no overview of the test, test taking advice or strategies provided.
REA’s AP US History Crash Course ISBN 9780738605609 ($12)—This thin, paperback sized book bills itself as containing only the essentials needed for success on the AP exam rather than as a mini-textbook. It is divided into three main parts: key terms, a chronological review, and key themes that the author believes are critical for success. There really is no fluff in this small book. It even lacks a practice test though a link for a free online test is provided.
Flash Cards: These can supplement but should never replace a review book.
Kaplan’s AP US History in a Box Flash Cards ISBN 9781427796837 ($20)—This is a set of 600 flash cards organized into five categories:The New World to the American Revolution,
The New Nation to the Civil War, Reconstruction to the Great War, The 1920s to World War II, and The Cold War to the New Millennium. Terms are sorted and coded by historical era.
Barron’sAP US History Flash CardsISBN 9780764178375($19)—This set of 500 flash cards are numbered for easy chronological ordering and also labeled so that they can be divided into the following seven categories: arts and sciences, domestic policies, presidential matters, wars and foreign relations, economy and business, legal issues, society and culture. Students may find flashcards helpful, but should only use them in conjunction with a good review book.
REA’s AP US History Flashcards ISBN 9780738605036 ($17)—This book of 1000 flashcards is designed so that students can write their answers into the book. In reality, most students will find this book much less satisfying than real flashcards. Some versions come with a CD that contains quizzes. Not recommended.
Non-AP Materials: May be used (ask first) as long as they are college-level and supplemented.