Passing the AP Exam…Review Strategies
As we near the AP Exam (May 15!!!), student must start studying. The AP Exam is a
hard test, one that requires a great deal of advance preparation. If you have hopes of
earning a passing score (3-5), you must work hard and prepare!
Major Topics from 1st Semester
1. New Monarchs and Age of Exploration
2. Renaissance
3. Reformation
4. Wars of Religion
5. Constitutionalism and Absolutism
6. Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
7. French Revolution and Napoleon
Major Topics from 2nd Semester
1. Romanticism and Conservative Ideology
2. Revolutions (1830’s and 1840’s)
3. Industrialization
4. Nationalism and Unification of Germany and Italy
5. Imperialism
6. World War I
7. World War II
8. Post-War….since the 1950’s
How should I study?
o Refer to the list of Major Topics from each semester. You will need to be really
solid in your knowledge of at least four of the topics for EACH semester. This
does not mean that you can totally forget the other topics, but you will want to
really focus your studies in certain areas.
o I suggest you choose to really study the areas where you feel least confidant. For
example, if you review notes from the Renaissance and feel good about your
knowledge, you may not want to choose to become an EXPERT on this
area…focus on the areas where you are weak.
o Choose one topic from EACH semester and be an expert in that area. Know all
there is to know about it! (social trends, economy, government/politics,
intellectual movements, diplomacy, etc.)
Things to Remember:
o The AP College Board does not expect you to know everything. There will be
questions you will not know the answer to. That is ok because, if you study and
prepare, you will be able to answer most questions.
o Preparing for an AP Exam is very intensive. You cannot “cram the night before”.
You must study a little at a time and master as much as you can before the test
date arrives. Start NOW!!!!!! Do not wait because it will be too late!!
Passing the AP Exam…Review Strategies
Major Topics commonly seen on FRQ essays:
Keep these in mind as you prepare for the AP Exam!
o 1945-Present
o Renaissance OR Reformation (one or the other, not usually both…bear that in
mind as you study. You may not want to focus on both Renaissance and
Reformation as you focus in on deep study)
o Russia or USSR (Peter or Catherine, 1850-1900, or USSR)
o Britain in the late-1800’s
o Enlightenment (usually comparing the ideas of the Enlightenment to those of
another period of intellectual history)
o Women’s history
o Social history (trends and events). You can guarantee there will be at least one
question about social history
o Revolutions (English Civil War and Glorious Revolution, French, Industrial,
Russian)
If you see a FRQ question with an attached image, remember that you are not writing
to describe the image or work of art. More than likely, you will be expected to use
that art or image as an example of a historic trend of some sort. DO NOT
DESCRIBE THE IMAGE! USE IT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!