SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

How to Ace the AP World History DBQ: Rubric, Examples, and Tips

AP World History is a challenging class, and in order to get credit for it you’ll have to take an equally challenging exam. And one of the toughest parts of the test is the AP World History document-based question, or AP World DBQ. This question asks you to read and analyze documents on the fly, then write an argumentative essay…all in one hour. 

It can be hard to know what–and how–to study for the AP World History DBQ, especially when you don’t know which documents you’ll receive on test day. But don’t worry: we’ll break down everything you need to know about the AP World History DBQ so you can ace it on test day. (We’ll even give you AP World History DBQ example questions and an AP World History DBQ rubric example!) 

Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • An explanation of what the AP World History DBQ is 
  • A look at how the DBQ works on the AP World History exam
  • A step-by-step process for tackling the AP World History DBQ
  • A guide to studying for and answering the AP World History DBQ

Let’s get going!

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Should You Take AP Physics C? Mechanics or Electricity and Magnetism?

The AP Physics C courses are both challenging and rewarding. If you choose to take either AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism or AP Physics C: Mechanics (or both!), you’ll get the chance to learn college-level material and potentially earn college credit! 

But is AP Physics C hard? Can you take AP Physics C without Physics 1? If you’re asking yourself, “Should I take AP Physics C?,” keep reading–we’ll answer these questions and more in this complete guide to the AP Physics C courses and exams

Our article covers all of the following info about AP Physics C: 

  • What’s on the AP Physics C exams and how they’re formatted
  • A quiz to help you decide if you should take AP Physics C
  • A guide to AP Physics C practice tests
  • Five tips for prepping for the AP Physics C exams

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

 

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What Is AP Computer Science Principles? Should You Take the Exam?

Are you thinking about taking AP Computer Science Principles but aren't sure if it's the right class for you? Or maybe you're already enrolled but want to put yourself in the best position to score well on the AP exam? There are aspects of the class and AP Computer Science Principles exam that are quite different compared to other APs, and the earlier you know what to expect, the better prepared you'll be. That's where we come in!

Read this article to learn what the AP Computer Science Principles course covers, what the two (very different) parts of the exam look like, and what the best practice resources and study tips are to help you feel confident well before exam day.

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AP Micro vs AP Macro: How Do the Economics Exams Compare?

Trying to decide whether to take AP Microeconomics or AP Macroeconomics? Despite their similar names, these two AP classes actually cover quite different topics, and there may be one that appeals to you much more than the other. But how to know? That's where we come in! This guide covers everything you need to know in the AP Micro vs AP Macro debate. You'll learn what the differences between macro and microeconomics are, how the two courses and exams differ, which class is harder, and how you can decide which will be the best AP economics course for you.

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6 Steps to a Perfect AP European History DBQ

Are you taking AP Euro and are wondering about the AP Euro DBQ essay? The DBQ is quite different from a typical school essay, and students often struggle with it during the AP exam. However, knowing what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ will go a long way towards helping you feel more confident, as well as getting a great score! Read this in-depth guide to learn all about what to expect from the AP Euro DBQ, what graders are looking for in your essay, a step-by-step guide to writing a DBQ, and three key tips to keep in mind when going over AP Euro DBQ example questions.

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The Ultimate AP Macroeconomics Cheat Sheet (Graphs Included!)

Each year, around 20% of test takers score a 5 on the AP Macroeconomics exam. (no pressure, right?) If you want to be one of those top scorers, you need to really understand the graphs and equations that will help you make tough calculations during the exam. 

To help you with that, we’ve put together a complete AP Macroeconomics cheat sheet that you can use to prepare for the exam! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about our AP Macroeconomics cram sheet, including the following: 

  • A quick refresher on what the AP Macro exam covers 
  • A full overview of what’s included in the AP Macro cheat sheet (graphs, equations, and key terms are all covered!)
  • An explanation of how to use the AP Macro cheat sheet
  • Our four best tips for how to study for the AP Macro exam

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

 

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The Complete Guide to AP Macroeconomics FRQs

Most students who take AP Macroeconomics find the free-response section to be the hardest part of the exam. You need to be able to write thoughtfully about economic concepts, analyze data, and create clear and accurate graphs—all with a tough time crunch. The good news is that, once you know what to expect from AP Macroeconomics free-response questions, this section is actually fairly straightforward. Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about AP Macro FRQ, including what the questions cover, what sample AP Macro questions look like, and exactly what you need to study to be well prepared on exam day.

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What Is AP Art History? Should You Take It?

Thinking about taking AP Art History but aren't sure what it covers? AP Art History differs from other AP arts courses in that you're not creating your own art—instead, you're learning about the huge variety of art that has been created across time and around the world. The course covers a lot of ground, and knowing what to expect from the start can help you have a productive and manageable year. In this guide, we'll look at what students learn in AP Art History, what the AP Art History exam is like, if the course is considered hard, and resources and tips you can use to help you ace the class and the AP exam.

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How to Ace AP Psychology FRQs

The AP Psychology exam has one of the lower average scores of all AP exams. However, if you know how to prepare, it can actually be one of the easier AP exams to take. Reading this guide will make you an expert on the AP Psych free-response section. By the end of this article, you'll know exactly what the format of the free-response section is, what types of questions you'll be asked, what graders will be looking for in your answers, and the best tips for studying for AP Psych FRQ. 

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The Best ACT Online Practice Tests and Questions

Studying for the ACT doesn’t have to include sitting in a library and flipping through piles of prep books. You can find lots of ACT study resources online! From official practice tests to short, targeted quizzes that make it easy to hone specific skills, you can study for the ACT whenever you have an internet connection.

However, if you find an ACT practice test online, it isn't guaranteed that it's a great resource. Some online ACT practice tests very different than the actual ACT, and using them won’t help you raise your score. Fortunately, in this guide, we’ve found all the best official and unofficial online ACT practice resources for you to use. We also end with tips to help you get the most out of these resources.

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Old SAT Scores: How to Get and Use Them

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Posted by Justin Berkman

SAT

Did you graduate from college a while ago and now a prospective employer wants to see your SAT scores? Did you take time off after high school and now have to send your SAT scores to colleges? No matter the case, you'll need to know how to access your old SAT scores.

In this article, I'll explain how to get and use old SAT scores. I'll teach you how to retrieve old scores and discuss how to present them to prospective employers.

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The Complete IB Economics Syllabus: SL and HL

If you are looking at this syllabus, you're probably thinking about taking IB Economics or you are currently enrolled in the course. In this article, I'll discuss each of the topics covered in IB Standard Level and IB Higher Level, the number of hours dedicated to each topic, and what the IB expects you to understand in each topic.

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The Complete IB Biology Syllabus: SL and HL

Oh, IB Biology. I took IB Biology SL back in my high school days. If you are looking at this syllabus, you're likely interested in taking the course or are currently enrolled in the course.

In this article, I will go over the topics covered in IB Biology Standard Level and IB Biology Higher Level, as well as the number of hours dedicated to each topic along with what the IB expects you to understand for each topic.

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Every IB English Past Paper Available: Free and Official

In this article, I cover IB English Literature SL/HL, IB English Language and Literature SL/HL, and IB Literature and Performance SL exams. These are the core language A options for English speakers.

The IB English exams are essay based tests that require you to either a) analyze texts provided on the exam, or b) write analytical essays based on the books, poems, and other literature you've studied throughout the semester. That means one of the best ways to prepare for the exam is checking out past essays to see what writers did right...and where they got off track.

But where can you find IB English past papers, free and paid? Don't worry: we'll help you find past papers to study with and talk about how you can get the most out of these past papers during your study time.

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The Complete IB Physics Syllabus: SL and HL

I took IB Physics HL back in my high school days. It is still probably the most challenging class I have ever taken (even including my college courses), but I got a 6 on the exam, so trust me—it's doable.

In this article, we'll discuss all the themes and subtopics covered in IB Physics Standard Level and IB Physics Higher Level, the number of hours dedicated to each topic, and the practical work and assessments IB Physics students have to take. I’ll also explain the changes coming to IB Physics in August 2023 so you’re prepared for the new syllabus.

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