Cracking the AP European History, 2000-2001 Edition (Cracking the Ap. European History)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: 2 weeks before the exam, if you're in trouble, this is where to turn. I was in trouble, but I managed to pull out a 5 by reading it twice and reviewing sections that I was unsure of. The greatness of the book is found in its tendency to refresh one's memory on areas that were locked in a foggy first-semester haze. It does need to be complemented by a more comprehensive textbook review; Princeton Review is an essential but only cursory review. Practice test was decent, but the information on how to take the test was most helpful. This is an AP must.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding preparation
Review: During the entire year, I was stuck in a history class where the teacher had no urge to teach us anything to help us prepare for the AP European History test, and the passing rate of his previous class was abysmal. About 2 months before the test, I realized I knew absolutely nothing about European History, and that I might as well study so i can at least pass the test and get my money's worth. I started with the REA, but there was too much detail. Then I found the Princeton. This is an outstanding book for getting the "big picture" of everything that you need to know about European History, and the material is covered in more light and informal manner which I personally prefer. By studying only from this book, and reading a couple supplemental pages in the REA to clarify some facts, I was able to pull a 4 on the AP Test. This is well worth the investment, although if you are looking for a book that covers many historical facts and details, you would be better off with the REA, but the general description this book provides is great for putting all those facts together.

Rating:
Summary: Compared to the REA book
Review: I bought both the REA book and this one to study for the AP exam. Immediately I saw a huge difference. I received the REA first and took the first practice test, as they recommended, and did poorly. As it turns out, their practice tests are much harder than the real AP test. The questions are very abstract, and don't tie in to big trends or themes. Going along with this, the REA book puts a huge emphasis on detail. It is almost as big as a textbook. so you might as well just read your textbook again. The Princeton Review book, on the other hand, starts out with a section telling you how to do best on each part of the exam. These tips aren't just the standard ones out there like "Read the questions carefully". They inform you about what the test developers are trying to test you on and how to pick the best answer choice based on that. The REA book has about ten pages on this to the Princeton Review's fifty pages. The Historical REview is less detailed, but it reviews the MAIN CONNECTING TRENDS AND IDEAS. You have your textbook to fill in the details. In addition, I would like to add that I had a horrible teacher for this class. I thought I would need the REA because it would go more in-depth. I haven't taken the test yet but I think I will do jsut fine with the Princeton Review. It may not go into as much detail but it is much more comprehensive.

Rating:
Summary: CRACKING THE EUROPEAN HISTORY AP
Review: I bought this book no less than a month before the real exam, and it helped me alot. Last 2 days ago i took the AP test and I can just say it was easy, it was hard, but this book help me alot. The book has alot of ways to crack the test and get you a high score, i havent received my score yet but im pretty sure i passed the test from reading this book. The book has alot of facts and information. I recommend this book to all of you who are going to take the exam. And just dont read this book all alone and expect to pass the test, you will need some other information like your class notes and stuff, i would just use this book as kinda a refresher to get you ready for the test. Out of a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate it to a 10 because it has two full lenght practice exams that just look like the real ones and those help me alot. Overall i recommend everyone whos taking the test to buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Compared to the REA book
Review: I scored a 5 on the AP Exam, but that was in no part due to this book. True, it does have several nice bonuses (large parts of the practice tests come from previous AP Euro tests), but the review itself is not specific enough for the material; it's more of a branch-off point (such as, 'yada-yada' is written in the book, you must remind yourself about what else was connected to that event; it does not connect several different ideas, including ideas already presented in the book itself). If you buy the AP book with a few of the old Part I questions (and answers, with interesting stats on those answers, such as what percentage of people scoring a five answered the question correctly, etc.) and all of the Part II (essay) questions, you'll be far better off. Since the questions in this book are based off of the old AP questions, you might as well fork over cash to use that book. A good idea would be to buy the book with some friends, and share it (it's a pretty good quality book). As for the test-taking tips, they are the standard ones found everywhere, and as for the essay tips noted in a previous review, essay writing is something you must simply learn with practice; writing a DBQ can be harder than it seems. All of the tips that you really need for the DBQ are found in the directions to write them, and thematic essays are the most commonly written essays of all, which you should be well used to months before you even consider taking the test.

Rating:
Summary: The Best One You'll Find...But certainly not perfect
Review: I worked myself to death this year for my first AP class. That is what kept me from crashing and burning on the AP test, not the Princeton Review. BUT if you've been a good student all year (that means reading and taking notes over every chapter), the Princeton will more than suit your review purposes. I did, however, find several factual errors and noticed that the second DBQ did not have a valid question to go with it. I will give all of you a very helpful hint: All of those things you thought you didn't need to know were important. The 2001 test will fall into its proper place in obscurity with it's essay questions like "Describe attitudes towards children and childrearing from 1750 to the present. Analyze how they changed over time." and absolutely random multiple choice. Is anyone else wondering why we spent so long on the Renaissance, German unification, and the French Revolution? I believe they accounted for a combined .01% of the test. THE TEST IS SOCIAL. The Princeton Review is not, so please don't place all of your hope in this little gem of a review book. It covers most economic, political, and cultural topics beautifully. Don't waste your time with the Barron's, Arco, and especially not REA. Princeton is the way to go, but don't forget to do your work all year. It is not a recipe for a 5 on the exam without a bit of your own sweat, effort, time, and tears put in along the way.

Rating:
Summary: Good One!
Review: Okay, I bought the REA book at the beginning of the year and was completely disapointed by it. It has a lot of info, but it was disorganized and just too darn long. So about 10 days before the exam, I went out and bought this book, and spent the next 10 days reviewing like a crazy woman. I thank my teacher for the 5 I recieved, but this book certainly helped. Don't be frightened by the questions in the REA book, they are far more difficult than the ones on the actual test. The ones in the Princeton Review are about the correct level. Enjoy!