Arco Master the Ap European History Test 2001: Teacher-Tested Strategies and Techniques for Scoring High, 2001 (Master the Ap European History Test, 2001)

Rating:
Summary: It all worked for me
Review: (note: I am not 12...I am 15)I just finished taking the Advanced Placement European History test three hours ago. I started cramming for the ap euro test about 3 weeks in advanced. I used a total of 5 books: ARCO, Princeton Review, Barron's, Rea, and Modern European History. However, I did not read everything in each book because I simply didn't have the time. I did everything ARCO, which proved to be very helpful on the essays. I read all the review part and completed both tests in the Princeton Review. In Barrons I only read the parts that I was weak at (which was ch. 5-15). In Rea, I completed the 6 tests. Modern European history I read only parts that I was weak at. All today I convinced myself that I would do well because I had studied very hard. I have now come to the conclusion there is really no one great book...they are all great, just for different reasons. ARCO is good for the review, the part were they explain the essay part, and super for getting the main idea...which is what the real test is mostly about. Princeton Review is good for the practice tests, but it's review is not as clear as ARCO. Barron's is excellent for the review and is easier to understand than Princeton Review. Rea is great for understanding how to take a test. It teaches you a very important thing in test taking...the process of elimination. Modern European history is similiar to Princeton Review and it would be better to use it while you are reading your own text book to understand it. Although I an uncertain if I got a 5 (I hope I got a 5! I hope I got a 5! :)), I know I passed. Good luck studying. If you study hard, you will pass with flying colors. :)

Rating:
Summary: Only for people who already have a REALLY good background...
Review: I recently brought this book hoping it will provide me with a quick review of what I already understand pretty well...and it did that. Unfortunately, after taking a used test ( an actual test that students took 4 years ago) I found that the questions are really detailed...example: what finance minister reformed the economic system... This book is much too general and the practice test they provide is mediocre at best. I recommend the MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY by Birdsall S. Viault. That book is understandable and informative. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer any practice tests. In that case, I say try the tests in THE BEST PREPARATION FOR THE AP EUROPEAN TEST from Rea. They have actual old tests and a pretty good review section- if you have enough time to read thru it.

Rating:
Summary: Best for last minute people
Review: Ok first, i am actually 16. I took this test a couple of weeks ago and it was kinda easy. I read this entire book and did all the practice essays at the end of each chapter. I also finished all the tests and did some of the outside suggested readings. However, the actual test is harder than the one in this book. The two tests included are not official and some of the answers are hilarious. (like the one about russian women being unattractive) Use this book for review and essays. If you get perfect on the multiple choice, you are fine. Then, try the REA multiple choice and if you get like 60% correct, you are prepared for the exam in May.

Rating:
Summary: Best for last minute people
Review: This is a very good book to give you the general picture of what you will encounter on the AP test. Also when I didn't take the AP-test yet, I think that this book helps you enourmusly to REVIEW. This is nothing which will give you deep enough knowledge to be your only source!!! But this book helps in creating the big picture for you. The Ap-test tips, about types of questions, and tips on what to watch out for when writing the essay, are very helpful to creat an general understanding. So this is a good Review buy, but should NEVER be your only source of studying...