By Sophie Tuan
AP World History usually constitutes the first AP class many high school students take. In this class, WHAP, you will be introduced to a new style of class. The first half of class time will usually consist of a short lecture coupled with class notes; the second half, classwork with analysis questions and historical passages. However, the bulk of reading will take the form of gueling chapter notes that you will have to complete entirely at home. AP World’s workload is heavier than most on-level classes, but all the hard work will pay off after you ace the AP exam in early May. Plus, after exams, you get to watch movies in class for the rest of the year! Below is the perfect starter guide to acing AP World. Best of luck!
- Actually read the assigned textbook chapters.
- Do the practice quizzes at the end of each chapter. At least one of the questions will always be on the quiz.
- Take detailed notes: include key events, cultures, and important cities/states. These notes will only benefit you, especially during AP testing; if you take detailed notes it will save you from having to go back and reread the textbook.
- Always remember SPICE!!! (social, political, interactions, culture, and economics). These five categories will help you answer any question on exam day.
- Try to get extra credit on quizzes (only in James Marshall’s class). The extra studying is worth it and will literally save your grade.
- Memorize the AP rubric for the LEQs and DBQs. This will help you know what to write and how to phrase things on both in-class essays and on the AP exam.
- WATCH HEIMLER’S HISTORY. This YouTube channel actually taught me so much and honestly saved my brain.
- Use Quizlet and other study guide websites. There are a lot of helpful and reputable study guides since WHAP is an AP course with national standards.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Practice, practice, practice MCQs. History MCQs will never ask you point-blank about a random date or fact. Instead, they will ask about continuities and change; cause and effect; or compare and contrast. Learning how to interpret more complex questions that come with a stimulus can be difficult so practicing is the best way to become more proficient.
- Know your time periods. Although you don’t have to know exact dates for WHAP you need to be sharp on what happened in what time period (Ex: 1200-1450, 1450,-1750, 1750, 1900)