Barron's AP U.S. Government and Politics, 8th Edition

In a nutshell, buy this prep book if your goal is a very detailed review of content. If you have actually read your spine text, mastered all its terms, and done well on course quizzes and midterms, then you could likely purchase a skinnier volume than Barron's and do fine. This is too much for a weekend of review, but IS well suited for use over several weeks, a semester, or a year. What Barron's does well -- better than REA and MyMaxScore -- is to provide a comprehensive but focused review. I like the short review questions at the end of each section. Each of these three prep books for US GOPO has fairly poor "model" or practice exams; it's hard to say which is worst on that score. For this reason, I don't advise spending more for the Barron's edition that contains more model exams.While I would purchase this book again, it's rather like the whole-wheat toast shown next to the sugar-laden cereal in those old TV advertisements. Useful, but most definitely not enough on its own. Remember "part of this healthy breakfast?" You'll want the fresh fruit and milk to really do the job.To score a "five" on this exam, do these six things. (1) Actually read (gasp!) your spine textbook and master all of its terms. I recommend creating your own notecards by hand, preferably paper. Make your brain and fingers do the work so you "own" those definitions and can then apply them. (Buying ready-made notecards or flipping through other people's work on a screen will not weave the neural connections you want. It's got to be YOU.) Set aside a few minutes each week to review notecards cumulatively. No review means you've merely marked up a pack of cards. If you need to skimp on any textbook area, make that historical detail. Some GOPO books begin with and dwell lovingly on colonial history, but you need to focus on constitutional underpinnings in that section: Articles of Confederation versus the Constitution, impact of Shays' Rebellion, the Federalist Papers, core political values, and contents of the Constitution. (2) Follow news on Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court; and pay attention to their interactions with each other. Note how each branch attempts to limit the others and how it interacts with the bureaucracy and linking institutions such as parties and media. (3) If possible, make good use of actual College Board released exams, available from your AP instructor, so you truly understand the types of questions asked on the exam. The model exams in Barron's do have some value in your review, but like those in other prep books, are a poor reflection of the actual exam. (4) Practice writing answers to released essays with a pen, on lined paper, in the time limits given. If you write very little and have lots of time left over, you are likely not fulfilling the prompts. "Explain" means to tell HOW! (5) Memorize a core list of Supreme Court cases, because this will help you master several areas of the course -- not just the judiciary. Understand how cases relate to incorporation, different judicial philosophies, and linkage institutions. (6) Do use a review book like Barron's (or a competitor) for somewhat different coverage of what you know already; but be sure to read College Board's own "Course Description" document for the final word. Most prep books I've seen have some mistakes regarding the exam.

Purchased for our daughter taking this class in H.S. Was very helpful in her preparation for the AP exam, which she did pass and transfer to a major university.

Standard study guide

Just took the exam, and for the next year's test takers I highly reccommend this book! Make sure you order the most recent edition!

Great AP study guide! It gives you the facts without all of the extra junk. Totally loved it the glossary is great too studied it a few days before the exam and it did wonders. Found that I learned more from this than the actual text book. It also comes with full 2 practice exams and samples of written questions.

Excellent.

Clearly written and organized. My 14 year old found it a great addition to her test prep materials and study groups. Most of the other kids in her AP class had the Barron's book. The subject matter can be daunting, but Barron's helped the test prep feel manageable, not overwhelming. A must have if you are taking the class and want to score well on the exam.

My son needed it for class. Barron's AP U.S. Government and Politics, 8th Edition