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Rating: 
Summary: ALL YOU NEED
Review: For AP European History exam preparation, I used three review books: ARCO, PRINCETON and REA. Each of these
books had something unique that made studying productive...and definetely got me higher than a three (I don't know for sure, I
just got back from the test an hour ago). I'll give you the basic information about each one:ARCO-this book has a short historical review, but the writing style and page format are IDEAL FOR HIGHLIGHTING and
putting in sidenotes. The tests were relatively easy and the "how to take the test" parts are worthless, But this book is
PERFECT FOR GETTING THE BIG PICTURE. The practice essay questions at the end of each chapter had an enormous
impact on my success, but lacked explanations and sample essays; what I did was write the essays and then I had my teacher
look at them. PRINCETON-this review book has a COMPREHENSIVE SECTION ON HOW TO TAKE THE TEST. The historical
review is more INTRICATE than the ARCO book, but sentences are wordy and is NOT IDEAL FOR HIGHLIGHTING OR
NOTE TAKING. The tests were harder than in the ARCO, and contained detailed explanations. The book helps put together
the pieces of the puzzle, but not as well as ARCO. In addition, a helpful index appears in the back of the book. REA-This book goes into WAY TOO MUCH DETAIL. I would highly recommend it to those students with die hard teachers
though. For the regular joe, THIS BOOK CONTAINS SIX PRACTICE TESTS. Some questions will make you scared, but
for the most part, the questions are general and straightfoward, just like the real test. The essay questions are great too; sample
essays appear with the answer keys after each test. I recommend the ARCO book in order to get the BIG PICTURE.
I recommend the PRINCETON book for it's HOW TO SECTION and SEMI-DETAILED HISTORICAL REVIEW.
I recommend the REA book for it's TESTS. Other than that, its your choice. Oh yeah, if anyone tells you that the test is hard, tell them that they didn't work hard enough. As long as you put the time and
effort in, you don't screw around in class, and you realize that YOUR GRADE IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, you'll do fine. I
had a lazy teacher, but I managed to pull it off. ;-)
Rating: 
Summary: Too detailed ---
Review: History is my worst subject. But I had a really good teacher and I studied like crazy for the AP EH exam.
I never really used this book. It's far too detailed for the AP EH exam and the practice tests are not like the AP EH questions.
The Princeton Review book helped me more.
Rating:
Summary: Good information, but some flaws
Review: Loved the book while I was reading it, hated it when I got my score back. I tried to read the whole thing in a span of two weeks. I'm suprised my brain didn't freeze over. I concentrated on memorizing details and insignificant things that never showed up on the test and lost the big picture, it seems that this book can do that to you. I'd like to say that it was my fault I got a 3 - if only almost my whole class (who also studied from this book), didn't almost get the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Too detailed
Review: This book is way too detailed for the AP exam. It got into some extremely specific events my textbook didn't even cover. The tests were way off, emphasizing too much of some eras and too little of others (the official breakdown with time periods and questions can be viewed online at the college boards site). I was surprised at the quality of this review, seeing as how the US History version of REA's review was almost flawless. When it came time to review, I was overwhelmed by all the information -- a good deal of which was unnecessary.
Rating: 
Summary: Recommend as the best
Review: This book was recommended by my teacher and it was the best that I used. All you need is to take the tests and read the explanations and you will do great. Review is very good too.
Rating:
Summary: A very valuable study tool for the AP examination.
Review: This is a very valuable study tool to use in preparation for the AP European History examination, but it needs to be used correctly to be effective! Reading through some of the previous reviews, I fear that the problems some students have noted may not be the fault of the book, but rather of their own study habits. Trying to read the entire book a week or two before the test will NOT work. The material is extremely concentrated and covers more than 400 years of history. Trying to absorb it all in a couple of weeks will do nothing more than mix you up hopelessly and almost guarantee a poor score. Pacing yourself is the KEY to success here. Buy the book as close to the beginning of the school year as you can, and follow along throughout the year. Highlight and take notes where needed. Then, as the test date approaches (i.e. 1-2 months ahead of time), start a more rigorous program. Re-read the material you've already gone over. Then take the practice tests. Over and over and over. Until you can consistently answer almost all of the questions on all of the practice tests correctly. It may seem like overkill, but it's worth it. After each time you take a practice test, check your answers, AND read the detailed explanations given for the answers that you got wrong. These explanations are invaluable. Of further use are the sample DBQ and essay questions given in the book. It's up to you how far you want to go with these. I found that actually writing out an entire essay wasn't necessary. But I would suggest at least compiling an outline for each question, to ensure that you have enough information to provide a good answer. If you find yourself only able to put together a skimpy outline, then read up on the subject and try again. True, only a very small portion of the material covered in the book will actually show up on the test, but you have no way of knowing WHAT portion. This book compiles sample questions from numerous past examinations. There is a LOT of information here. But as my teacher pointed out (and I'm inclined to agree), it's rather like training for a marathon with weights on your legs. You'll get really good at running with weights, and then when you take them off for the actual race, it will seem super easy! I found that to be very true when I took the test after studying with this book. Another handy feature of this edition is that it comes with software that can be used with either Windows or Macintosh. This way you can take the same practice tests on your computer, if you prefer that to studying by hand. It's also easier to check your answers this way, rather than flipping back and forth through the book. AND the software times your tests for you, so you can make sure you're able to cover all the material within the time slot you'll be allowed on the actual test. Overall, this is a great study tool, and should help you immensely if you take it seriously. Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Waste of time and words
Review: Well, my first look at this book brought on a wave of overwhelming feelings (It's nearly 600 pages). But don't be alarmed. I was an A (94-96%) student in AP Euro, and I can recall facts generally within a time FRAME pretty well. I've already taken the exam, and I can guaruntee you this: There are about 8-10 questions from this book ACTUALLY ON the AP Exam. This book COMPLETELY BEATS the Princeton review, if that's what you're thinking of using. Most of my friends found that the Princeton book actually had time periods MISSING. Use this as your primary study source (or your only study source) and study AT LEAST 2 weeks prior to the exam, and you're set. I haven't gotten my results back yet, but I'm almost certain of a 4, with most probably a 5. Good luck to all that take it, and bring some Gatorade and PowerBars, that 15 minute break is crucial!
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate source, no other required
Review: Well, my first look at this book brought on a wave of overwhelming feelings (It's nearly 600 pages). But don't be alarmed. I was an A (94-96%) student in AP Euro, and I can recall facts generally within a time FRAME pretty well. I've already taken the exam, and I can guaruntee you this: There are about 8-10 questions from this book ACTUALLY ON the AP Exam. This book COMPLETELY BEATS the Princeton review, if that's what you're thinking of using. Most of my friends found that the Princeton book actually had time periods MISSING. Use this as your primary study source (or your only study source) and study AT LEAST 2 weeks prior to the exam, and you're set. I haven't gotten my results back yet, but I'm almost certain of a 4, with most probably a 5. Good luck to all that take it, and bring some Gatorade and PowerBars, that 15 minute break is crucial!
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