How to Prepare for the AP European History: Advanced Placement Examination

by James M. Eder

Students diagnose strengths and weaknesses with two full-length model tests, which come with answers and explanations. An extensive subject review covers the development of medieval Europe, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764120204
• ISBN13: 9780764120206
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.4" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

How to get a 5

I did not take an AP European History course in my school. Due to a dismal passing rate the class was dropped several years ago, well before my freshman year.I took the exam because I love history, and I love a challenge. And I got a 5 on the exam for my efforts.This is how I did it:Over spring break I bought this book, and started outlining it chapter by chapter. With barely a week left I still had a little less than half to outline. I quickened my pace, and finished outline the last chapter two days before the exam. The next day I picked up the Princeton Euro Review book, and sort of skimmed through it. This was quite useful, as there were some questions I would have been incapable of answering had I not skimmed this book. The next day I walked into school, alone since we had the day off, and sat down to take the exam. I walked out thinking I had done my best, and only time would tell if I had succeeded. And I did... so who do I take on next?

It helped me get a 4!!

I bought this book about three weeks before the 2001 exam and found that by really using it in conjunction with my textbook, "The Western Heritage" and highlighting, writing in margins, and doing all the practice tests the test was remarkably easy, I wizzed through the multiple choice section, and it gave me just the perfect amount of material to answer my free response questions and DBQ. In fact the lively, easy to read material, encouraged studying and I found that because of this I retained so much more information then I would have otherwise, this is a great book!

Really helpful big picture analysis

I really enjoyed this book mainly because as a history student I never achieved history buff status, due to one dismal fact. I couldn't see the big picture. I guess to some that may not be a big deal...but seeing the big picture is truly important for history since you have to piece events together through time. I would always be able to understand small events, but I could never exactly understand the relation they had with other events. An example of this is that I could memorize Erasmus's books and their subject matters in a matter of minutes- go me, right? But I couldn't relate that fact to the Protestant Reformation. I understood Martin Luther's beliefs, I understood Erasmus's beliefs in his urge for clerical reform, yet unfortunately I did not understand how Erasmus "laid the egg that Luther hatched." Yet after intensely studying this book, I began to learn and grow. I began to visualize and view, to experience in my own rights how to link events together through history! Buying this book was the best decision I ever made due to the highly essential section in this book on framing the big picture. Helpful tips allowed a true breakthrough for me. I might have earned a 2 for simply knowing the facts straight cold and through sheer (but confused) memorization, but I earned myself a 5 by finally reaching a zenith of understanding through Barrents. Kudos, Mr. Eder! Kudos! The feeling of victory is mine, as I realize NOW, though don't hold me to these facts because I haven't quadruple-checked them yet- that Erasmus's urgings for reform within the church gave those that spearheaded the reformation ammunition! And what a wonderful realization that is.

A Very Good Book To Use For The AP Euro Test

I bought four books for the AP European History test(this one, the Princeton Review's, REA's, and this book called Modern European History). This was actually the only book that I got all the way through(and I did the last two chapters right before the test). This is an awesome book. The chapters are short, but you really get a good understanding of the material. The book focuses a lot on the essay part of the test(which is good 'cause my strategy was to ace the essay part, get 50% right on the multiple choice, and get a 5). It gives a lot of prompts for essays for you to write(if you actually have time) and also gives you sample essays. One thing to beware of. Do not attempt to write essays like the sample essays they give you. I mean, like the ones they rated a five were like seventeen paragraphs long or something! Like you're going to have time to do that on the test. Stick to your five paragraph essays. However, despite the fact that you're not going to write essays like the ones they give you, I found the sample essays really helpful. They summed up a lot of things and made connections that really helped me see the causes and effects of certain events. This is just a great book. I really recommend that you buy this one if you're studying for the AP Euro test, although if you can, try to get the Princeton Review's too. I think that the books work better together than they do alone.

Fantastic! Interesting, focused, and helpful.

This book is great!! It follows the same basic pattern of my textbook, but is shorter and more to the point. I love the practice essay and multiple choice questions. Sometimes it's a little simplified, but still great. A definite must for this class!!!! It will help you with everything- not just the exam.