what type of things do you learn in an AP US history class?

Question

any info would help.

Also are the assignments and tests difficult to do?

Answer 1

Well, as a teacher of AP US history classes, you learn all about US history, which seems a bit obvious. Almost all students who take the class (at least where I teach) plan on taking the AP exam in May. Therefore, there's a strong focus on factual content and we cover the entire subject, from discovery and settlement to modern times. Students have about 8-15 pages of reading a night, homework questions, an electronic bulletin board, papers, biweekly quizzes, and tests, which include multiple choice, short answer, and essays. There is also practice for the DBQ - document based question - which asks you to take a position and defend it, using the documents you are given as well as your outside knowledge on the topic.

In essence, while you learn content, you also learn discipline, how to write, how to think analytically, and how to construct a historical argument. While the work is challenging, I don't think it's impossible.

If you are asking because you are thinking of taking the class next year, I hope you do take it. It's a lot of work but very much worth it! Good luck.

Answer 2

You will learn the same things in AP US History that you learn in a regular US History class, but you will study all things in a much more in-depth manner. The assignments and tests are meant to be challenging in order to prepare you for the AP test, so yes, they are harder. You also learn how to take the AP test, especially the DBQ the first answerer told you about. Taking AP tests (and doing well on them) is a great way to get some of your university degree requirements out of the way while you are still in school.