Introduction
The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) European History exam, known as AP Euro, is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor for high school students seeking to master European history. The College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CED) outlines the specific content and skills students must demonstrate to earn a passing score on the exam. Understanding the CED is paramount for students striving to excel in AP Euro.
Content and Skills Assessed
The AP Euro CED encompasses the following content domains:
- Period 1: 1450-1648 (Renaissance and Reformation)
- Period 2: 1648-1815 (Absolutism and Enlightenment)
- Period 3: 1815-1914 (Industrial Revolution and Nationalism)
- Period 4: 1914-present (World Wars, Cold War, and Post-Cold War)
Within each period, students must demonstrate mastery of seven skill sets:
- Reading and comprehending historical documents
- Chronological reasoning
- Comparison
- Causation
- Argumentation
- Contextualization
- Patterns of continuity and change
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To avoid common pitfalls on the AP Euro exam, students should:
- Neglect Primary Sources: Primary sources provide firsthand accounts and perspectives from the past. Students must analyze primary sources critically and use them to support their historical interpretations.
- Stray from the Text: The exam requires students to demonstrate their understanding of the specific content outlined in the CED. Going beyond the scope of the CED can result in lost points.
- Ignore Historical Context: Contextualizing historical events and ideas is essential for understanding their significance. Students should consider the political, social, economic, and cultural factors that influenced the past.
- Memorize Facts: While knowledge of historical facts is important, mere memorization is not sufficient. Students must be able to analyze, interpret, and synthesize information to demonstrate their historical understanding.
How to Prepare for the AP Euro CED
Effective preparation for the AP Euro exam involves:
- Thoroughly Studying the CED: Familiarize yourself with the specific content and skills assessed on the exam.
- Analyzing Primary Sources: Practice reading and interpreting primary sources. Utilize available online resources and textbook materials to enhance your document analysis skills.
- Developing Historical Arguments: Engage in class discussions and writing assignments that require you to construct historical arguments.
- Utilizing Review Materials: Take advantage of practice tests, flashcards, and other review materials to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
Tables for AP Euro CED
| Period | Historical Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renaissance | 14th-16th centuries | Rebirth of art, science, and literature after the Middle Ages |
| 2 | Scientific Revolution | 16th-17th centuries | Transformation of scientific thinking and the dawn of modern science |
| 3 | French Revolution | 1789-1799 | Overthrow of monarchy and establishment of a republic in France |
| 4 | World War I | 1914-1918 | Global conflict that resulted in millions of casualties and significant geopolitical changes |
| Skill | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and comprehending historical documents | Analyzing primary and secondary sources to extract information | Reading a treaty or diplomatic dispatch |
| Chronological reasoning | Placing historical events in order and understanding their relationships | Creating a timeline of the French Revolution |
| Comparison | Identifying similarities and differences between historical events or ideas | Comparing the Reign of Terror in France to the Stalinist purges in the Soviet Union |
| Causation | Identifying the factors that led to historical events | Explaining the causes of World War II |
| Argumentation | Constructing and supporting historical interpretations | Writing an essay on the impact of the Industrial Revolution |
| Contextualization | Understanding historical events and ideas within their broader context | Analyzing the political and economic factors that influenced the Renaissance |
| Patterns of continuity and change | Identifying long-term trends and developments over time | Tracing the evolution of European imperialism from the 15th century to the 20th century |
Conclusion
The AP Euro CED provides a roadmap for students to master European history and succeed on the AP Euro exam. By understanding the content and skills assessed, avoiding common mistakes, and engaging in effective preparation, students can confidently tackle the challenges of AP Euro and achieve their academic goals.