Is AP® European History Hard?

AP European History is often perceived as challenging due to its extensive time frame, detailed content, and emphasis on historical analysis. However, the level of difficulty can vary based on your interest in European history, ability to think critically, and study habits. Here’s a closer look at what makes AP European History tough and strategies to excel in the course.

What Makes AP European History Challenging?

1. Broad Time Span: The course covers roughly 500 years of European history, beginning in the Renaissance (around 1450) and extending to modern times. This long time frame means that students need to understand various periods, from the Renaissance and Enlightenment to the World Wars and the Cold War.
2. Complex Themes: AP European History explores themes such as politics, economics, culture, science, and society. Grasping how these themes interact and evolve across different eras can be complex, especially when analyzing their influence on major historical events.
3. In-Depth Content: The course delves into detailed aspects of European history, including key figures, movements, ideologies, and political changes. Understanding not just what happened, but also why and how events shaped European society, requires a deep level of analysis.
4. Critical Thinking and Analysis: The course focuses on developing historical thinking skills, such as comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time. You must be able to interpret primary and secondary sources, identify point of view, and construct well-supported arguments based on historical evidence.
5. Extensive Reading: AP European History involves a significant amount of reading from both textbooks and primary sources, such as political writings, speeches, and letters. Processing and analyzing these texts can be time-consuming and mentally demanding.
6. Essay Writing: The AP exam requires students to write various types of essays, including Document-Based Questions (DBQs), Long Essay Questions (LEQs), and Short Answer Questions (SAQs). Crafting clear, coherent essays that connect specific evidence to broader historical arguments can be a challenging skill to master.
7. Exam Complexity: The AP exam includes multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay prompts that test your understanding of historical developments, themes, and analytical skills. The diversity of question types makes the exam rigorous and comprehensive.

How to Succeed in AP European History

1. Develop a Timeline: Create a detailed timeline of major events, movements, and periods in European history. This visual aid will help you understand the chronological order of historical developments and see how different periods connect.
2. Focus on Themes: Pay attention to the key themes in the course, such as intellectual and cultural history, political and diplomatic history, and social and economic history. Practice linking events, people, and movements to these themes to develop a holistic understanding.
3. Practice Critical Reading: Since the course involves analyzing primary and secondary sources, practice reading with a critical eye. Annotate texts, highlight main ideas, and note the author’s point of view and purpose. This will help you become more comfortable with interpreting historical documents.
4. Master Essay Writing: Regularly practice writing DBQs, LEQs, and SAQs. Focus on creating clear theses, using specific evidence, and connecting your analysis to the larger historical context. Reviewing sample essays and rubrics from the College Board can help you understand what examiners are looking for.
5. Use Graphic Organizers: Utilize charts, concept maps, and diagrams to organize information by themes, events, and key figures. This will help you visualize relationships and trends in European history.
6. Leverage Study Resources: Use supplemental study resources like review books, flashcards, and online platforms (e.g., CrashCourse, Khan Academy) to reinforce your understanding of key concepts and practice exam questions.
7. Consistent Review: Given the volume of content, regular review is essential. Schedule study sessions to revisit notes, practice questions, and review major themes throughout the course. This will help retain information and reinforce connections between historical periods.

Additional Tips for Mastery

• Connect History to Modern Europe: Understanding how historical events and movements have shaped modern European society can make the content more engaging and easier to remember.
• Join a Study Group: Collaborating with classmates can provide different perspectives and enhance your understanding of complex topics. Discussing events and themes can also help reinforce what you’ve learned.
• Memorize Key Dates and Figures: While the course focuses on analysis over memorization, knowing key dates, events, and historical figures is still crucial for crafting strong arguments in essays and answering multiple-choice questions accurately.

AP European History can be demanding due to its wide-ranging content, analytical nature, and rigorous exam format. However, with effective study strategies, a focus on thematic understanding, and regular practice, you can navigate the complexities of the course and perform well on the AP exam.