Cracking the A.P.-U.S. History Exam A Quick Review of Tricks, Tips, and Strategies for Passing With Less Anxiety and More Confidence

Time Management is Critical!!! Format of the Exam Filling in the forms—10 to 15 minutes Section 1 (1 hour 45 min.) Multiple-choice section— 55 questions in 55 minutes (40%) Short Answer – 4 Questions in 50 minutes (20%) Break—15 minutes Section 2 (1 hour 30 min.) DBQ – 55 minutes (10 to plan, 45 to write) (25%) Long Essay – One question chosen from a pair 35 minutes (5 to plan, 30 to write) (15%) Time Management is Critical!!!

US History Themes Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture Belief Systems America in the World Environment and Geography Geography Politics and Power Politics Identity  Identity Peopling; migration Peopling Work, Exchange, Technology Economics

Job One—To Pass Relax and show what you know Score roughly 60% correct on the multiple-choice section Read carefully and make good choices in the free-response section

National Averages (2013) 5 47,098 10.6 % 4 95,413 21.5 % 5 47,098 10.6 % 4 95,413 21.5 % 3 95,660 21.6 % 2 119,665 27.0 % 1 85,054 19.2 % Number of Students 442,890 3 or Higher - 53.8 % LCC Average (2013) – 83%

Things You Should Bring to the Exam Two #2 pencils and a good eraser Two dark blue or black ink pens Wristwatch Photo ID

Things You May NOT Bring to the Exam Cell Phones Backpacks, bags, purses, etc. Books, dictionaries, notebooks; etc. Laptop computers Cameras Portable stereos or radios/iPod Food Clothes with subject related information

In the Final Week Before the Exam… Maintain your usual routine Do a general history review/Focus on “big picture” issues and trends Know the exam directions in advance

On Exam Day… Bring everything you need Dress comfortably—in layers (wool blend, cotton, etc.) Natural Fibers!!! Relax and have fun!

Beating Exam Anxiety Take a reality check Relax Eliminate surprises If you are prepared, recognize that fact. If not, don’t stress. Maximize the benefits of what you do know. Relax Slow, deep breathing works. Move around when it is allowed. Eliminate surprises Know where and when. Know format and question types. Know directions and exam length.

Cracking the Multiple-Choice Section Write in PENCIL Page 86 of Exam Description

Exam Breakdown by Historical Period 1 1491–1607 5% 2 1607–1754 3 1754–1800 4 1800–1848 5 1844–1877 45% 6 1865–1898 7 1890–1945 8 1945–1980 45% 9 1980–present 5%

Summary Pace yourself. Don’t spend too much time on a single question. Keep it steady. Look for “big picture” answers. Use process of elimination on all but the easiest questions. Use common sense and context clues.

Short Answer Questions Write in PEN!!! Put in your own words Provide specific examples Get right to the point Complete Sentences REQUIRED! Stay in the time period specified Watch for categories of analysis The debate over how to organize… “To label or not to label…”

A.C.E The Question! ANSWER the question in each part CITE specific evidence to support each answer EXPLAIN the evidence and how it relates.

Short Answer Questions

Section II - Essays Write in PEN!!! Read the question. Again! (3X) Brainstorm Plan in an outline REMEMBER TO CIRCLE THE ESSAY NUMBER AT THE TOP OF EACH PAGE!!!!!

Section II - Essays

Things That Make ANY Essay Better Include a clear, identifiable thesis statement. (Make sure it addresses prompt) Unless the prompt asks for TWO points, make three good points. Keep sentences simple. Write clearly and neatly. Define terms. Tie each piece of evidence to your thesis Conclusion should connect to some other historical period

Cracking the DBQ READ THE QUESTION. Many do not. Address the question FULLY. Gather outside information BEFORE reading the documents. Read documents with attention to… source of documents Know what you are going to say BEFORE you start writing. Use an outline. Don’t necessarily make “the obvious choice” when choosing your thesis. There is no “correct” answer!

Cracking the Long Essay Choose the question about which you know the most, not the ones that look easiest. Brainstorm, write your thesis, and then outline. Keep your thesis easily identifiable and roadmap your response (categories!) Follow your outline and include examples/proof. Write clearly and neatly. Tie your main points to your thesis. Stay positive! 

Different Types of LEQ Questions: Causation: Historical thinking involves the ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate multiple cause-and-effect relationships in a historical context, distinguishing between the long-term and proximate. Example: Evaluate how the French and Indian War impacted the relationship between Great Britain and the British colonies from 1754-1776. Change and Continuity Over Time: Historical thinking involves the ability to recognize, analyze, and evaluate the dynamics of historical continuity and change over periods of time of varying lengths, as well as relating these patterns to larger historical processes or themes. Example: Evaluate the extent to which the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War, 1754–1763) marked a turning point in American relations with Great Britain, analyzing what changed and what stayed the same from the period before the war to the period after it. Periodization: Historical thinking involves the ability to describe, analyze, evaluate, and construct models of historical periodization that historians use to categorize events into discrete blocks and to identify turning points, recognizing that the choice of specific dates favors one narrative, region or group over another narrative, region or group; therefore, changing the periodization can change a historical narrative. Moreover, the particular circumstances and contexts in which individual historians work and write shape their interpretations and modeling of past events. Example: Evaluate the extent to which the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) marked a turning point in the debate over slavery in the United States. Compare and Contrast: Historical thinking involves the ability to describe, compare, and evaluate multiple historical developments within one society, one or more developments across or between different societies, and in various chronological orders. Example: Compare and Contrast the colonies in the Chesapeake with the New England colonies. Be sure to address two of the three areas in your essay: economic, political, and social.