The AP World History exam is one of the most popular AP exams. However, scoring a five can also be one of the most difficult. This is especially true for the exam portions requiring an extended essay response. In addition to being able to write well, students must be able to connect historical events to the course’s broad themes.
Make Study Notes
You’ve probably heard that AP World History is one of the most demanding AP courses, and it can be challenging to get a good score. However, with a few tips to study smarter, you can maximize your chances of getting a five on the exam. First, try to be proactive about studying throughout the year instead of cramming right before the test. You’ll be better prepared and able to understand the material if you spend 15 or 20 minutes per day actively studying your class notes (as opposed to just reading them). It will help to keep your mind engaged with the course, improve retention of important information, and make it easier to tackle the multiple-choice section on the exam. Also, review AP World History study guides and practice questions, and watch content-related videos for extra preparation. You should also familiarize yourself with essay rubrics and practice your writing skills by doing several practice essays on different topics. Finally, don’t be tempted to brag about your extensive study notes. You might think you’re being super organized by keeping a folder with your class notes, but you’re slowing yourself down by spending too much time reviewing them. It’s best to have appeared. Concise study notes that include the essentials.
Plan Out Your Study Time
AP World History is considered one of the most challenging AP classes to self-study, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to study consistently throughout the year and focus on understanding historical trends rather than memorizing facts. The best way to prepare for the multiple-choice section of the AP World History exam is by taking practice tests. It’s essential to keep in mind that the multiple-choice sections of the exam are timed, so it is vital to know how much time you have left when answering questions. It’s also a good idea to review each unit’s exam rubrics and practice writing an essay under timed conditions. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the significant patterns and historical themes of each unit, as well as political developments and technological advances. For the short answer and free response questions, you should be familiar with primary and secondary sources and historical events from 1200 to 2001.
Additionally, you should be able to connect these historical developments and understand how they affect each other. Remember, a five on the AP World History exam isn’t about being able to recall dates; it’s about knowing how these events fit into larger patterns and how they change over time. If you can recognize these trends, you’ll be able to answer most of the questions on the exam.
Break Up Your Study Sessions
As a student, it is difficult to maintain concentration for long study sessions, especially if you are studying boring or repetitive concepts. Breaking up your study time can help you stay on task and prevent burnout. Try to plan out a small, manageable number of tasks that you can accomplish in each of your active study sessions. This may include reading a chapter of your textbook, writing down questions that you have for your teacher or fellow students, watching a concept video, and taking a quiz on a learning app. Then, at the end of each session, you can reward yourself with a treat (a snack or movie with friends, a quick social media break, etc.). You can also split up your study time by subject. This is useful if you find some subjects or topics are more difficult for you than others. It is also helpful if you simultaneously prepare for multiple classes, as some subjects may overlap. For example, if you are studying AP World History and math simultaneously, start with the more challenging subjects first. This will boost your confidence and help motivate you to tackle more accessible subjects later. You can even switch between subjects during a long study session to keep it interesting.
Take Breaks
Taking the AP World History exam can be very stressful. Sleeping well, eating a healthy meal, and practicing with a flashcard site can help calm nerves on exam day. It would be best if you also tried to get in the habit of creating a consistent study space for yourself. Studies have shown that using a consistent study space can increase your productivity and help you to stick to your plan. You can make this space anywhere – your room, the library, or even a coffee shop. Just ensure you can concentrate and it isn’t too noisy or distracting. It is also important to practice answering DBQs and LEQs. These questions are more time-consuming than the multiple-choice and short-answer questions, so it is essential to be familiar with them. Also, it would be best to practice analyzing primary and secondary sources by writing an essay on historical development. This question is a great way to demonstrate your understanding of the broader concepts and themes that make up modern world history.
