AP® US History

The AP® US History Document-Based Question (DBQ) can be intimidating at first. With some practice and careful studying, though, DBQs can be a lot of fun.

Only at the very end of the AP® U.S. History exam do you reach the Long Essay Question (LEQ). As a result, the LEQ is a challenge for even the most prepared test-taker. By this point in the exam, you are mentally exhausted, your hand is tired from writing all the other free response questions, and you just want to go home.

You will invest a lot of time in preparing for the AP® U.S. History Exam, and how you approach each question is key in getting the maximum number of point for that question. Your best bet is to make sure that you have developed solid historical thinking skills. This APUSH review will define the nine historical thinking skills that are central to the study and practice of history. We will then discuss the five most important of those skills needed to excel on the exam.

You will invest a lot of time and effort in getting ready for the AP® US History exam, and how you approach your review is essential in getting the best score you can on the exam. This blog post will give you the three best methods for AP® US History review. It is important to remember that study methods are not “one size fits all”. What works for one student may not work for you.

Before the age of revolution, America experienced a time of intense revival and renewed focus on religion. It shaped much of American culture in years to come and laid the foundation for future religious and social movements. As an AP® US History student, it is absolutely essential that you understand the importance of the first great awakening in America. This crash course will fill you in!

Have you heard of the Seven Years War? Did you know that it actually lasted for nine years? Did you know that it’s also called the French and Indian War? If you didn’t answer yes to these questions then this AP® US History crash course on the Seven Years War is for you! As an APUSH student, it’s not too important to know the specifics of the fighting and the battles themselves, so this review will focus mostly on the effects and the impacts of the war.

“Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Almost every red-blooded American has heard that phrase before. But do you really know what it means? More than that, could you explain why it is important in the form of a Free Response Question on the AP® US History exam? You need to be very familiar with this idea for the APUSH test, so we made a quick breakdown for your learning pleasure. So, here you have it: a crash course on Big Stick Diplomacy, as coined by good ole Teddy Roosevelt.

Do you understand the importance of the Second Great Awakening? Well you should! By recognizing the significance of the Second Great Awakening you’ll be one step closer to a better grasp of US history and a better score for the AP® US History Exam. The Second Great Awakening lasted from 1790 to 1840. It began as a reaction to the growth in popularity of science and rationalism. The Second Great Awakening fought the perceived moral decay of society and charged Americans to lead their fellow man to salvation.

The AP® United States History exam covers hundreds of topics, all of which you need to be familiar with in order to get a high score. This might sound impossible, but success on the APUSH test is really all about studying smarter. The most vital things to review about a particular event, policy, or movement are the answers to the following questions: What is it? What else was happening at the time? Why is it important to United States history?

The AP® United States History exam covers hundreds of topics over several centuries of American history, and in order to earn a high score, you’ll need to be familiar with all of them. Luckily for you, in this APUSH crash course we will review the most important aspects of one frequently tested APUSH topic: the encomienda system.