AP Methodology

The most efficent method to receive a 4 or a 5 on the exam is to master the free response writing sections: the SAQ, DBQ, and LEQ. 

The primary mistake AP teachers and AP students make is spending too much of their classtime in an attempt to master course content.

Mastering course content should happen at home in student's personal time - not in the classroom. 

Classtime should be constant exam practice rather than learning new content. 

If you sign up for a typical AP program with me, I will divide the 40 training sessions as described below.

1. Note-taking (2 sessions). Each AP Unit is designed around central concepts that must be understood. I train student to not simply memorize facts, but to fully comprehend AP unit concepts. The AP test creators design the exam SAQs, DBQs, and LEQs around these concepts, so note-taking must focus on the historical concepts rather than just historical facts alone.

2. 10% MCQ Training (3 sessions). Masering MCQ's requires an understanding of both historical facts and unit concepts; however, like SAT and TOEFL multiple choice questions, there are tricks that can help you choose the correct choice.

3. 10% SAQs (5 sessions). SAQs are easier than you think, but they are important because their response method is the building block of DBQ and LEQ responses. 

4. 35% LEQs (15 sessions). LEQs are SAQs with more in-depth contextualization, evidence, reasoning/argumentation, and analysis.

5. 35% DBQs (15 sessions). DBQ are LEQs with added sourcing and documentation.