AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide, 2nd Edition
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Very good review book.
  • awesome, get you a 5
  • Not bad.
  • A Guaranteed 5
  • Outstanding Book Containing Everything You Need to Know
 AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide, 2nd Edition
Ethel Wood
Manufacturer: WoodYard Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  4. How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government & Politics (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Us Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination) How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government & Politics (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Us Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination)
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ASIN: 0974348120
Release Date: 2005-10-01

Product Description

AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide, 2nd Edition, by Ethel Wood is newly revised to help students master the concepts of the reorganized AP Comparative Government course. The book prepares students for the new College Board Exam to be given for the first time in May 2006. It has review chapters for Iran, Britain, Russia, China, Mexico, and Nigeria, and emphasizes important concepts that help students to compare across the countries.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Very good review book........2007-07-01

I purchased this review book with the intent of studying for the AP Comparative Government test without having taken a class on the subject. I found the book to both be easy to read and very enlightening. I found the questions presented in the review sections of this book to be a very good representation of the questions on the exam. I was very happy to see that I received a 5 on the AP exam after only reading this book. I recommend it to those of you who wish to well on the exam.

5 out of 5 stars awesome, get you a 5 .......2007-05-15

i didn't take class, thought it would be a good idea to take another ap for the heck of it. pwned that noob. seriously. read it twice, get a 5. its that simple.

4 out of 5 stars Not bad........2007-01-11

I don't know. I never had AP CompGov course, but I bought this book, read it all in two days before the actual exam and got 4. So, there must be smth in this book.

5 out of 5 stars A Guaranteed 5.......2006-07-18

I am a high school senior who took AP Comparative Government last year. My course only lasted 3 months, so my teacher had a hard time cramming so much knowledge into our brains in such a short time span. Hence, I decided to do some outside reading (a first for me), so I bought this book. Ethel Wood's study guide is the most comprehensive book on comparative government. It is very easy to read and rather succint. The quizzes inbetween each chapter are fantastic, as are the two practice exams. I was able to skim the entire book in a couple of days (its not hard at all), and a few days before the exam I thoroughly read the entire book. Although some questions on the exam were not discussed in this study guide, I was able to pull off a 5.

For further proof that this book works miracles, my friend also purchased it, read it, and got a 5. We were the only two in our class to achieve this, and we both admit that we would have failed, had it not been for Ethel Wood's fantastic study guide.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book Containing Everything You Need to Know.......2005-08-29

I took the AP Comparative Government test, like most people, because it comes free with the US government test. About 2 weeks before the test, I broke down and realized that I needed to get a prep book from which to study, or I wasn't going to do well. This book arrived at my doorstep 9 days before the exam. With just a reasonable general knowledge of global affairs as my only prerequisite, I read this book cover to cover and got a 5 on the test without a hitch. The questions on the exam were so reminiscent of this book that it almost seemed as if they were written by the same author. After a thorough reading of this, I don't see how anyone could possibly score below a 4, and I find it highly unlikely that anyone would not get a 5.
How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government & Politics (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Us Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Is this an AP Government textbook or a review for the AP test?
  • Great
  • A decent review
  • Yeah, it's good
  • Barron's Is God
 How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government & Politics (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Us Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination)
Curt Lader
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:
  1. Let's Review U.S. History and Government (Let's Review: Us History and Government) Let's Review U.S. History and Government (Let's Review: Us History and Government)

ASIN: 0764133020

Book Description

Complete preparation for the Advanced Placement Examination in U.S. Government and Politics includes a detailed subject review and two full-length model exams with all questions answered and explained. Topics covered in the subject review include Constitutional development from its foundations to the present day, federal government structure and institutions, the political process, and public policy issues from the economy and federal budget to foreign policy and national defense. The author also offers helpful advice on organizing study time when preparing to take the exam.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Is this an AP Government textbook or a review for the AP test?.......2007-06-25

Reader evaluations on all other AP Government reviews books were very consistent. Any differences were minor - just one star away. On the other hand, reading previous reviews on this Barron's publication was mystifying. People either loved or hated it. There were good reasons for this extreme polarization of views.

If this volume were marketed as a textbook alternative to GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA by Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry - the standard text for a high school AP Government class, I would have rated it "five stars." The contents covered all the important facts and details in 508 pages instead of 779 pages in the Edwards-Wattenberg-Lineberry volume. However if you factored into consideration the differences in font size, the empty white spaces, charts, drawings, tables, and pictures, the differences in page number narrowed. The amount of contents for both books was almost the same.

In addition, the vocabulary and writing style was very "high level." The author also assumed that the reader already had the necessary background knowledge on various things. A passage from page 287 on election campaigns illustrated this: "They use selective leaks, known as trial balloons, to test the political waters. They become 'talking heads,' with the media focusing on the face of politicians during speeches and talk shows often ending up as sound bites. . . ." Unless a student knew what were "talking heads" and "sound bites," understanding this passage was a definite problem.

As a review for the AP Government test, I rated the Barron's book with "two stars." Although many of the sample multiple-choice questions were basic, some were extremely specific and impossible to answer. One good example involved knowing the published source of a short one-sentence quotation. This came from page 139.


9. "The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations [in the past] of man toward woman." Which of the following documents contained this passage?

A. Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions
B. Equal Rights Amendment
C. Seventeenth Amendment
D. THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE
E. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act


A few sample Free-Response essay questions were just as impossible to answer. One example came from page 99:


Define what is meant by the term NEW FEDERALISM. Explain how one of the following provisions of the Contract with America supports your definition.

1. Unfunded Mandates Law
2. Welfare Reform Act


It was unrealistic to require any high school student to know and understand the specific provisions in the Contract with America. At the same time, the question required the student to relate one of the two provisions to a constitutional concept - NEW FEDERALISM. In my personal opinion, this question went beyond textbook knowledge.

All in all, the Barron's book was a good alternative to reading the AP course textbook. As a review for the AP Government test, it failed. Many of the multiple-choice questions and essay questions were extremely specific. It was doubtful that they accurately represented the actual questions in the AP test. If they did, students who received scores of "5" should be awarded with M.A.s or Ph.D.s instead of just college credit for an American Government course.

5 out of 5 stars Great.......2007-06-08

I used this one week before the ap exam.
While reading, I highlighted important facts to remember and when it was time to take the test, I felt really prepared.

:)

Barron knows what hes talking about when it comes down to things on the exam.

4 out of 5 stars A decent review.......2007-05-14

Im pretty good at government and always made high grades in the class so thats a disclaimer----
This book is ok in that it goes over the material that you need to know. However most of its free response questions are a bit too detailed and you probably wont encounter stuff like that (you might especially b/c 07 AP exam had pretty specific FR question. However while reading the review chapters it goes a bit too depth and in my opinion adds useless information in the form of examples etc. I didnt find all the examples useful on the test since they ask you pretty cut and dry questions as in general principles and facts. SO overall I think this book goes into too much useless detail---find something inbetween the depth of Barrons and excessive outline form of princeton review. Gluck on the exam

4 out of 5 stars Yeah, it's good.......2006-03-18

I have no other book to compare it to, but it helps me review for my AP Government class tests. I sometimes wish it had more multiple test questions to offer, but overall the information is well classified and it goes into decent detail on every topic. The sample essays are very helpful.

5 out of 5 stars Barron's Is God.......2005-07-31

Barron's has its shortcomings, sure. I'd still give it five stars, because I earned a 4 on the exam after speed-reading the majority of its contents in a single sitting having not taken a class. I will say this much: the answers to the questions on the exam are in this book; the trick is remembering them! Had I studied more rigorously (i.e., for a week), I am sure I would have earned a five.

Let's first talk about some of the books shortcomings. First and foremost, it's unrealistically difficult - the actual test is child's play compared to the sample problems and questions in this book, which may or may not be a good thing! Still, it is worthwhile to do the practice questions. I recommend getting a second book with some more practice multiple choice.

What is a complete waste of space in this book is the sample essay questions. The 'student' answers will scare you to bloody-you-know-where and back. Why? Maybe Barron's essay questions have appeared on an AP test before. If they have, I'd imagine they are the most difficult questions in the history of the exam, because no where on the test will you need to know such information as an in-depth analysis of Bill Clinton's administration (one sample essay in the text).

Why did I give it five stars then? Where the book really shines is its information. I don't think the actual text was too in-depth at all. It covered the necessary information, and sometimes more. But the point is, it covered the necessary information, and it covered it well - every answer to every question is in this book. Know this book, and you know the exam, inside and out, and are prepared for a five.

I can't recommend anything better for the serious student.
Cracking the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Prep)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The best publication for test taking advice and contents review.
  • AMAZING!
  • Helpful review book
  • Great!
  • excellent
 Cracking the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Prep)
Princeton Review
Manufacturer: Princeton Review
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0375765328
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Book Description

Scoring high on the AP U.S. Government & Politics Exam is very different from earning straight A’s in school. We don’t try to teach you everything there is to know about government–only the strategies and information you’ll need to get your highest score. In Cracking the AP U.S. Government & Politics Exam, we’ll teach you how to

·Use our preparation strategies and test-taking techniques to raise your score
·Focus on the topics most likely to appear on the test
·Test your knowledge with review questions for each government and politics topic covered

This book includes 2 full-length practice AP U.S. Government & Politics tests. All of our practice questions are just like those you’ll see on the actual exam, and we explain how to answer every question.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars The best publication for test taking advice and contents review........2007-09-14

This 273 page book uses a similar format as all other review books with the exception of Pamela K. Lamb's FIVE STEPS TO A 5 ON THE AP: U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. For example, it has a multiple-choice section that explains the types of questions, using the process of elimination to isolate the answer, and using common sense. On the essay section, there are suggestions to address the question, providing evidence, and planning and writing the essay. On these two areas, the Princeton Review does a better job on "strategizing" and goes into detail on arriving at the answer than any of the other books.

The subject review is also the best, about a half-step up from Soifer's U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. The reviews are covered in narrative format and contained many details. The length is just right.

Like similar publications, it has two sample AP tests with explanation of the answers. Unfortunately, the explanations are not as good and as detailed as in Soifer.

In the end, there is a glossary of key terms with definitions and a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

Despite the pluses, the book fails in a few areas. First, it does not have sample multiple-choice questions at the end of each subject review section. Second, the contents is lacking in basic tables, illustrations, and charts. Examples include a visual breakdown of powers given in the Constitution, or an illustration of the various ways that the three branches of government "check and balanc" each other, or a listing of the important U.S. Supreme Court cases. These things are very important. Third, there is no listing of internet resources for further study.

If you "can live" without these things, the test taking advice and content information are "well worth the purchase."

5 out of 5 stars AMAZING!.......2007-08-13

If you're takign AP GOV, get this book! I scored a five on the AP test and I owe a lot to Princeton Review. It was concise but not lacking. It has a timeline of the most significant supreme court cases and excellent chapters on civil rights and liberties. I read the whole book and as I completed the test, I knew I had it in the bag! Buy it. You wont't regret that decision.

5 out of 5 stars Helpful review book.......2007-07-01

I purchased this review book in the hope that I could use it to teach myself the material for the exam. The information presented in the book was both comprehensive and brief enough to keep the book easy to read. I read this book without taking a class and received a 5 on the exam. Although the questions in the book are slightly harder than the real exam, they are still very helpful as a preparation for the exam. I recommend this book to those who want to do well on the exam.

5 out of 5 stars Great!.......2007-03-19

I thought it was excellent. In the back it had a list of court cases and other such simple lists. The material is thorough, but still manageable. I used this book and 5 Steps to a 5 when I studied last year and I got a 5 on the exam, so I'm obviously happy.

I think it was a great book to study from, and the practice questions were a good help. The material isn't too tedious that you can't stay focused and the chapters aren't too long that you feel helpless as you study.

Get it quickly before the AP!

5 out of 5 stars excellent.......2007-01-21

it is exactly what it is.... a perfect thurough summary of all the information on the test and full out questions and essays questions... good stuff...It then explains the answers thuroughly, perfect for preparing for the test.
5 Steps to a 5 on the AP: U.S. Government and Politics (5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations Series)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Nicely organised, but...
  • The Book Was Designed for Easy Study
  • Exactly What You Need
  • Best of all the AP US Government & Politics prep books
  • advice from a high school student
 5 Steps to a 5 on the AP: U.S. Government and Politics (5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations Series)
Pamela K Lamb
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 007141276X

Book Description

For the more than one million students taking the AP exams each year

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Nicely organised, but..........2007-08-21

It was very nicely organised, but I only got a 3 using it, which is my lowest ap grade. If had memorized every word, I would have done better, but I still read the whole thing and didn't do as well as I think I should have.

5 out of 5 stars The Book Was Designed for Easy Study.......2007-06-23

This 225-page book was formated with large over-sized fonts. If standard fonts were used and white spaces were reduced, the volume would be half the size. On the other hand, the publisher would be "hard pressed" to justify a price of $16.95 for a 113-page book.

The author used an outline approach in reviewing for the AP Government Test. This style had important advantages over the essay-like CLIFF NOTES approach. Listing important ideas and details with "margin bullets" eliminated the additional words and paragraphs required to construct a narrative and to tie ideas together. Also by bold printing terms and vocabulary, the reader's eyes were focused on the important ideas.

The outline style's biggest advantage was that the approach blended in with the way that people studied. It was easier to memorize an outline listing of specific ideas, details, and facts than rereading a narrative several times.

In the book, each topic section totaled five to ten pages. At the end of the section were five to ten multiple-choice review questions. Each was constructed in the same style and approach as the real AP test. Following the sectional test were one-sentence explanations on the answers.

The volume ended with website listing of six internet links for additional resources and a glossary of terms.

Unfortunately, the book had two flaws. On the sample Free-Response Essays, it only provided the rubrics for scoring. The author should have provided sample essay responses. Secondly, two identical copies of a sample diagnostic exam were provided. It would have been more helpful to have two different tests instead.

5 out of 5 stars Exactly What You Need.......2007-01-03

This is a really good test prep book. Its practice test questions, both the multiple choice and the free response, are virtually identical to the real thing, and the review is not too detailed and long and not too general and basic; it's just right. Its layout is extremely accessible, and although there are some minor omissions in the review text, just use your textbook to supplement. The major flaw with this book, though, is that for its practice free-response question, it does not provide a rubric to score your responses. All it says is how many points the question was worth. If you go to the College Board website, though, you can find past free responses and the accompanying rubric scoring guide to practice with, and your teacher may have some, too. I had two review books for this test, this one and the Princeton Review one. Usually, I'm a big Princeton Review fan, but the corresponding PR book is dismal. The 5 Steps to a 5 one is the book to get.

5 out of 5 stars Best of all the AP US Government & Politics prep books.......2006-05-11

My son used three different prep books for the AP US Government & Politics exam and he said this was the best by far!!

5 out of 5 stars advice from a high school student.......2005-06-19

I am currently a junior in high school. Last year I took AP Government and Politics (U.S.) and since it was my very first AP year, I had no idea how to prepare for the test. To make matters worse, my Government teacher hardly did anything in class; he sat around drinking coffee and humming jazz tunes from his desk. His tests were hard and often had bad questions that did NOT reflect the actual questions on the AP test. For those who've had him, I think most would agree that what he does in class accurately fits his name--Mr. Nap.

I chose this book from the bookstore because it was short and concise--every chapter was laid out in a graphically neat way (no clumping like the barrons books, and not so spread out like the princeton books). It was my hope that I would be able to somehow study a bit on my own and salvage my AP grade when the May test came. Having got a 5 on the exam, I am now EXTREMELY thankful that there was a book like this. I can't say how much I owe my score to this book.

What I did, the month before the test was to read EACH chapter--and let me tell you, it's not hard, because the chapters are SHORT and CONCISE--and then to take the short 5-10 question quizzes at the end that gave me a good idea of how well i learned the material that chapter. I know that learning government and politics is BORING, but this is the BEST book out there that lays out the content in such an easy to learn manner. It doesn't focus on teaching you details--and you do'nt NEED details for the GOV exam because the material in AP gov and pol is conceptual, like certain powers and abilities of the executives, or a few major supreme court cases--what it DOES is often outline everything in good lists, that are REALLY helpful for last-min studying. I especially remember that page with all the amendments listed; in fact i used that page for memorization practice, by writing as many amendments from memory as possible until I finally was able to copy that list without looking. If you find this book hard to read, I think it might be a personal problem with concentration, rather than a problem with the book itself.

I will admit that throughout the year, I studied as much as possible from our textbook too, but considering the HUGE amounts of information in the text, it was impossible to memorize and learn everything from there. I would think that if you're buying this book, it's as a supplement anyway, but do'nt worry if you're not taking the class or like me, didn't have a very helpful teacher. The AP exam covers concepts--think BROAD--and this book does a great job of presenting to you what you need to know. Memorize most of what's in this book, and you'll easily get a 5.
U.S. Government and Politics (Cliffs AP)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • An "Almost Perfect" Review Book for the AP U.S. Government Test
  • Yet another great Cliffs AP prep book
  • Amazing
  • Excellent Resource
  • Paul Soifer is my history teacher, and he rocks!!
 U.S. Government and Politics (Cliffs AP)
Paul Soifer
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0764586890

Book Description

CliffsAP study guides help you gain an edge on Advanced Placement* exams. Review exercises, realistic practice exams, and effective test-taking strategies are the key to calmer nerves and higher AP* scores.

CliffsAP U.S. Government and Politics is for college-bound students who are preparing to take the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam, which is one of the increasingly popular subject exams that the College Board administers in cooperation with high schools and colleges across the country. This helpful guide gives you an overview of what you need to know about the U.S government and American politics, including the following:

The exam contains both a multiple choice section and a free response (essay) section. The two full sample practice tests in this guide clue you in on what to expect in these two sections of the exam. As you work your way through this guide, you will gain

This comprehensive guide offers a thorough review of key concepts and detailed answer explanations. It’s all you need to do your best — and get the college credits you deserve.

*Advanced Placement Program and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An "Almost Perfect" Review Book for the AP U.S. Government Test.......2007-06-24

This 356-page book was written in the traditional narrative style of CLIFF NOTES and READER'S DIGEST condensed books. If the large over-sized fonts were reduced to standard and if the empty white spaces were eliminated, the contents would have been condensed to 256 pages. This made the information very manageable for studying.

The vocabulary and writing style were simple enough for a high school sophomore or junior to handle. Also, the information was very well organized and concise. As an example, let us exam the chapter on the U.S. Constitution. The ten pages summarized and condensed 37 pages of GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA, the standard text used in high school AP Government classes. Basic information with a sprinkling of details and updated examples was covered. Subtopics were sectioned off, and important terms and vocabulary were bold printed for the reader to focus. After the topic discussion, there was a 15 multiple-choice question test. The questions were constructed in the same style as the items in the actual AP test. Following these exercises were three sentence explanations on each of the answers. All in all, the format as described above was used for all other chapters that followed.

After the subject reviews, there were two sample practice tests. Again, the multiple-choice answers were explained in detail. More impressive was the author's treatment of the Free-Response Section. On each of the essay questions, he provided scoring guidelines, sample essays, and analyzes of the written works.

Appendixes were located at the end of the book. These contained a glossary of key terms, a copy of the U.S. Constitution, a listing of important U.S. Supreme Court cases, and an eight page listing of internet sources.

My only criticisms of this book focused on the second and third items in the Appendixes. Instead of a copy of the U.S. Constitution, a better alternative was to provide an annotated and simplified version. This document was very hard to understand with its 18th Century prose and "high level" vocabulary. Fortunately such a simplification does exist. It is located in the latest Compton Encyclopedia under "Constitution." Secondly, the U.S. Supreme Court case listing needed to be better organized. The cases should to be individually grouped by Constitutional issue and sub-grouped by whether they expanded or limited the specific civil liberty.

As a suggestion, buy Pamela K. Lamb's 5 STEPS TO A 5 AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS to accompany Soifer's text. Instead of a narrative approach, the contents was arranged in outline format. In other words, the information presented in U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS was further condensed in outline form by Lamb. This arrangement made it easier for studying.

5 out of 5 stars Yet another great Cliffs AP prep book.......2003-07-15

This is another great Cliffs AP book which will help you get your college credit. It really is a help for reviewing the branches of the government, how a bill becomes a law, the Constitution, the amendments, elections, and civil rights. Those are the main, "must know," topics you need to review to get a 5.

5 out of 5 stars Amazing.......2003-05-12

Paul Soifer strikes again with his gorgeous portrait of the US Government, and preparation for the AP exam. I think I met Paul one time, albeit not for long, and he sold me on the book. I then took the book and have studied with it. I am assuming I will get a 5 on the test. Doc, This buds for you!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource.......2003-05-07

This book is a great, concise prep for AP US Government. It has a clear well-organized layout and cuts out all the extraneous information so you know exactly what you need to know for the AP Test. I could not recommend it more highly.

5 out of 5 stars Paul Soifer is my history teacher, and he rocks!!.......2003-03-20

This book is clear and concise and will help you get your 5, and besides, Doc Soifer wrote it, what else do you need to know.
The AP Comparative Government and Politics Examination: What You Need to Know, Second Edition
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 on the AP Test
  • not enough info
 The AP Comparative Government and Politics Examination: What You Need to Know, Second Edition
Ken Wedding
Manufacturer: College City Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  3. AP U.S. & Comparative Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the A: 8th Edition (Test Preps) AP U.S. & Comparative Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the A: 8th Edition (Test Preps)
  4. How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government & Politics (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Us Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination) How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government & Politics (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Us Government and Politics Advanced Placement Examination)
  5. Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 06/07 (Annual Editions : Comparative Politics) Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 06/07 (Annual Editions : Comparative Politics)

ASIN: 0974637920

Product Description

This is the supplement to your textbook and your class that will help you prepare for the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam. All chapters have been updated and revised to match the new curriculum. You will find a greater emphasis on concepts and comparative theory, country chapters that have been reorganized following the new course outline, and, as you should expect, a chapter on Iran. There is also a sample multiple-choice test that resembles the AP exam and three free-response tests for your practice. The sample tests are followed by answer keys and commentaries on all questions.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars 5 on the AP Test.......2007-08-08

This is a great resource, especially in conjunction with other notes and study materials. It shouldn't be the sole basis of your AP test review, but it presents a lot of the essential ideas, concepts and facts. And it helped me get a 5 on the AP test.

2 out of 5 stars not enough info.......2007-05-01

the review is very vague, important vocabulary is not highlighted, just a sort of rambling by the author that reviews random parts of what you need to know. also the author says things like "you should have learned about this in your textbook and if you don't remember go back and look in your textbook" a lot which really defeats the purpose of a review book. i think this can only be helpful if you REALLY know your stuff and just need a very light review but in that case you probably don't even need this book. also i don't like that there are no multiple choice questions at the end of every section. at the end of every section there is a review that consists of a paragraph or two with blanks that you have to fill in with arbitrary words.
AP Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the Advanced Placement (Test Preps)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Gets the core of what you need to know
  • Great self study.
  • Quality, Concise, Clear.
  • Great!!!
  • Excellent Practice tests
 AP Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the Advanced Placement (Test Preps)
R. F. Gorman , J. Hamilton , S. J. Hammond , E. Kalner , W. Phelan , G. G. Watson , and Keith Mitchell
Manufacturer: Research & Education Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. 5 Steps to a 5 on the AP: U.S. Government and Politics (5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations Series) 5 Steps to a 5 on the AP: U.S. Government and Politics (5 Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations Series)

ASIN: 0878918841

Book Description

Get the AP college credits you've worked so hard for... Our savvy test experts show you the way to master the test and score higher. This new and fully expanded edition examines all AP US & Comparative Government & Politics areas including in-depth coverage of branches of the US government and US voting behaviors. The comprehensive review covers every possible exam topic: the entire US Federal government; a comparative review of the governments of England, France, the former Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China; US political institutions, public opinion, voting behavior and more. Features 3 full-length practice exams with all answers thoroughly explained.

Follow up your study with REA's test-taking strategies, powerhouse drills and study schedule that get you ready for test day.

DETAILS
- Comprehensive, up-to-date subject review of every US & Comparative Government & Politics area used in the AP exam
- 3 Full-Length Practice Exams: All exam answers are fully detailed with easy-to-follow, easy-to-grasp explanations
- Study schedule tailored to your needs
- Packed with proven exam tips, insights and advice

TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Research & Education Association
Study Schedules
Study Schedule for the AP Exam in U.S. Government & Politics
Study Schedule for the AP Exam in Comparative Government & Politics
Chapter 1 - Succeeding on the AP Government & Politics Exams
About the Advanced Placement Program
The AP United States Government & Politics Exam
The AP Comparative Government & Politics Exam
About the Review Sections
Scoring the Exam
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Section
Scoring the Free-Response Section
The Composite Score
Scores that Earn College Credit and/or Advanced Placement
Studying for Your AP Examination
Test-Taking Tips
Chapter 2 - United States Government & Politics Review
Constitutional Framework
The Federal Government
Public Policy
Political Institutions and Special Interests
Public Opinion and Voter Behavior
Civil Rights and the Supreme Court
Answer Key
Chapter 3 - Comparative Government & Politics Review
Britain
France
The Former Soviet Union (Commonwealth of Independent States)
The People's Republic of China
Answer Key
Practice Test 1 - AP Examination in U.S. Government & Politics
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
Practice Test 2 - AP Examination in U.S. Government & Politics
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
Practice Test 3 - AP Examination in Comparative Government & Politics
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
Glossary
ANSWER SHEETS
APPENDICES including Annotated Articles of Confederation and United States Constitution

Chapter 1 - Succeeding on the AP Government & Politics Exams
This book will prepare you for the Advanced Placement Examinations in Government and Politics by giving you, first and foremost, an accurate and complete representation of the actual exams for both United States Government and Politics and Comparative Government and Politics. But REA doesn't stop there: we give you thorough yet concise topical reviews, a series of targeted drills, and an up-to-date glossary that comprises the full range of terminology with which you should be familiar.

If you are taking the United States Government and Politics exam, you'll want to concentrate on the first part of this book. The second part of the book is devoted to the Comparative Government and Politics exam. In both cases, you'll find a lively course review keyed to exactly the material you'll need to know to score well on the test, complemented by our handy glossary to help you get the most out of your study time. Two complete practice exams are provided for U.S. Government and Politics, while one full-length practice exam is provided for Comparative Government and Politics.

Each REA practice exam features an answer key and detailed explanations for every question. The explanations not only provide the correct response but also tell you why the remaining answers shouldn't be chosen.

By going over the appropriate review section(s), taking the corresponding exam(s), and studying our detailed explanations, you will discover your strengths and weaknesses and prepare yourself to score well on the AP Government and Politics exams.

About the Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement Program is designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still attending high school. The program consists of two components: an AP course and an AP exam. In addition, the AP in Government and Politics curriculum is divided into two courses: United States Government & Politics and Comparative Government & Politics.

If you wish to pursue an Advanced Placement in Government and Politics course you may enroll in the United States course, the Comparative course, or both. You will be expected to leave the course(s) with college-level writing skills and knowledge of government and politics. Upon completion of the course(s), you may then take the corresponding AP exam(s). Test results are then used to grant course credit and/or determine placement level in the subject when you enter college.

AP exams are administered every May. The exam schedule has been designed to allow you the opportunity to take both exams, if you are enrolled in both courses. If the United States exam is given during the morning administration, the Comparative exam will be given during the afternoon administration.

The AP United States Government & Politics Exam
The United States exam is 145 minutes in length and is divided into two sections:

I. Multiple-Choice (50% of your grade): This 45-minute section is composed of 60 questions designed to measure your understanding of facts, concepts, and theories pertinent to United States government and politics. Your ability to analyze and understand data, and the patterns and consequences involved with political processes and behaviors will also be tested. In addition you must have knowledge of the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas relevant to United States government and politics.

II. Free-Response (50% of your grade): This 100-minute section consists of four mandatory questions, each of which accounts for one-fourth of your total free-response score. You should allot roughly 25 minutes - or one-quarter of the total time in the free-response segment - for each essay. Each question normally asks you to interrelate ideas from different content areas from among the topics listed below. In addition, you may also be asked to evaluate and define fundamental concepts in the study of United States politics, and possibly to analyze case studies that bear on political relationships and events in the United States. You will be required to demonstrate mastery of political interpretation, and analytic and organizational skills through writing. In addition, you may be presented with graphs, charts and tables from whose data you would be asked to draw logical conclusions.

Here's a breakdown of coverage on the United States exam:

Topics / % of Exam
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government / 5-15%
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors / 10-20%
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media / 10-20%
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts / 35-45%
V. Public Policy / 5-15%
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties / 5-15%

The AP Comparative Government & Politics Exam
The Comparative exam is 145 minutes long and is divided into two sections:

I. Multiple-Choice (50% of your grade): This 45-minute section is composed of 60 questions designed to measure your understanding of facts, concepts, and theories pertinent to Comparative government and politics. Your ability to analyze and understand data, and the patterns and consequences involved with political processes and behaviors will also be tested. The countries normally tested in the multiple-choice questions include Great Britain, France, the former Soviet Union (Commonwealth of Independent States), and China; these are referred to as the core countries tested on the exam. For certain questions, basic knowledge of the United States will be assumed.

II. Free-Response (50% of your grade): This 100-minute section consists of four mandatory questions, each of which accounts for one-fourth of your total free-response score. You should allot roughly 25 minutes - or one-quarter of the total time in the free-response segment - for each essay. Comparative Free-Response questions may require you to compare one or two of the core countries (Great Britain, France, China, and the former Soviet Union) with the developing nations of either India, Mexico, or Nigeria. To do this, you must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the politics of one of these developing nations.

Here's a breakdown of coverage on the Comparative exam:

Topics / % of Exam
I. The Sources of Public Authority and Political Power / 5-15%
II. Society and Politics / 5-15%
III. The Relationship Between Citizen and State / 5-15%
IV. Political and Institutional Frameworks / 35-45%
V. Political Change / 15-25%
VI. The Comparative Method / 5-10%

About the Review Sections
As mentioned earlier, this book includes two reviews: one for United States Government and Politics, the other for Comparative Government and Politics.

The United States Government and Politics Review covers all of the key information you'll need to score well on the United States exam. These topics include:

- Constitutional Framework
- The Federal Government
- Political Institutions and Special In...

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gets the core of what you need to know.......2005-12-20

The Comparative part is largely useless ofcourse because they come out with new countries every year. However, the US government part was right on. It doesn't go into every detail that you need to know, but it gets through enough material so that a student cramming would find this book golden. Buy it for a quick review before the test, not as a study guide througout the year and you will love it.

5 out of 5 stars Great self study........2005-07-21

I used this book to study for both government tests. I knew nothing about the US poltics subject matter and was in a comporative government course. I got 4's on both tests. This book taught me the whole US test.

5 out of 5 stars Quality, Concise, Clear........2005-01-27

This book is excellent. I have the Barrons, Princeton, Cliff, Kaplan, and all the released exams. This review far-surpasses every other review aid for the AP US Gov and Politics Exam.

4 out of 5 stars Great!!!.......2004-06-29

This book was great in prepping me for the exam. Still dont know what i got, but it covered all the major issues in Comparative Politics that I needed to know. Also, it skips all the BS about good test-taking and strategies and junk and gets right to the info. Comprehensive review for each country in Comparative Politics. But, one word of caution... there are a few topics not covered that will be on the exam, such as current issues, and systems and processes (like Interest Articulation, Aggregation, etc.). Learn that stuff and you're good!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Practice tests.......2004-03-10

This book was recommended by teacher. The review was right on target and the tests very similar to the acutal exam.
AP U.S. & Comparative Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the A: 8th Edition (Test Preps)
Average customer rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
  • "Cutting It to the Bone" Leaves "Little Meat."
  • Dissapointed
  • Useless
 AP U.S. & Comparative Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the A: 8th Edition (Test Preps)
R. F. Gorman , J. Hamilton , Keith Mitchell , S. J. Hammond , E. Kalner , W. Phelan , and G. G. Watson
Manufacturer: Research & Education Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0738600466

Book Description


REA … Real review, Real practice, Real results.

Get the college credits you deserve.

AP U.S. & COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS 8th Edition
Completely aligned with today’s AP exam

Are you prepared to excel on the AP exam?
* Set up a study schedule by following our results-driven timeline
* Take the first practice test to discover what you know and what you
should know
* Use REA's advice to ready yourself for proper study and success

Practice for real
* Create the closest experience to test-day conditions with 5 full-length practice tests (3 U.S. and 2 Comparative)
* Chart your progress with full and detailed explanations of all answers
* Boost your confidence with test-taking strategies and experienced advice

Sharpen your knowledge and skills
* The book's full subject review features coverage of all areas on the official exam, including the U.S. government through the George W. Bush administration and targeted comparative coverage embracing the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the European Union, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran.
* Smart and friendly lessons reinforce necessary skills
* Key tutorials enhance specific abilities needed on the test
* Targeted drills increase comprehension and help organize study

Ideal for Classroom, Family, or Solo Test Preparation!

REA has provided advanced preparation for generations of advanced students who have excelled on important tests and in life. REA’s AP study guides are teacher-recommended and written by experts who have mastered the course and the test.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars "Cutting It to the Bone" Leaves "Little Meat.".......2007-06-20

The book is written in a narrative style like a READER'S DIGEST article on a book. Because it covers U.S. and comparative government and politics, only 78 pages are devoted to the former.

The chapter reviews are very short. Take for example, the discussion on the Constitution. The Gorman book has 2.67 pages summarizing 29 pages of GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA, the standard AP text for high schoolers. Although the information is basic, it is really "cutting it to the bone." So much, that there is "little meat." The 2.67 pages on the Constitution can not possibly cover the details and contents required on the AP test. On some subjects like the media, the review has less than a page.

Certain sections covered on the AP test are not reviewed in this book. Economic policies is the best example.

The biggest problem with this book is on evaluating essay questions. It is completely wrong.

Needless to say, the text has a few good features. Explanations on the multiple choice answers and sample essay answers are detailed. In addition, the Appendices on the U.S. Constitution are priceless. Without a doubt, these are the only reasons for buying this book.

Because the book has this "redeeming value," I give it 1.5 stars. Unfortunately, this can not be done with this website's rating system. As a result, I reluctantly give it two stars. This may be grade inflation, but I have no choice.

The text advertises as "THE BEST TEXT PREPARATION FOR THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATION" and "THIS IS THE ONE BOOK YOU NEED TO MASTER THE AP GOVERNMENT & POLITICS EXAMS!" The self-serving hype is just hype. There are better books. So, why waste your money?

1 out of 5 stars Dissapointed.......2006-05-09

This review is based on the Comparative Government data as I used another book for my US government studies.
I'm extremely dissapointed with the summaries. Many times, the political institutions are left out, for example. Yet, questions are asked about these institutions in the review questions following the chapters. It appears you are given a lot of information on topics you need to know the least and less on what you need to know the most. The author seriously takes a "this is just a review" approach. I used The Princeton Review for my AP US studies last year and received a four. This year for AP US Government I used to Princeton Review and I'm pretty confident. I suggest you go with them or another book with good summaries. Sadly with Comparative, you may be limited.

1 out of 5 stars Useless.......2006-01-22

A large percentage of the sophomore class at my school takes the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam. We were warned not to purchase this book, but some chose to ignore this warning, including one of my friends. I borrowed the book to look through it and found the questions useless and irrelevant. She received a 2, a non-passing mark on the exam, while I received a 5.
AP US Government & Politics 2005: An Apex Learning Guide (Kaplan AP U.S. Government & Politics: An Apex Learning Guide)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		AP US Government & Politics 2005: An Apex Learning Guide (Kaplan AP U.S. Government & Politics: An Apex Learning Guide)
    Kaplan
    Manufacturer: Kaplan Education
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0743260600
    Release Date: 2004-12-21
    Apex AP U.S. Government & Politics (Apex Learning)
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Good but difficult!
    		 Apex AP U.S. Government & Politics (Apex Learning)
    Apex Learning
    Manufacturer: Kaplan
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    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0743201914

    Book Description

    Higher Score Guaranteed!

    AP U.S. Government & Politics comes complete with a targeted review of U.S. political science, a full-length practice test, plus powerful test-taking strategies. This strong combination makes AP U.S. Government & Politics a highly effective way for you to score higher on this intensive exam.

    You'll Increase your score with:

    * Full-length Practice Test with complete explanations
    * In-depth coverage of the material on the exam
    * Review of essential terms, important analogies, and points to remember
    * Powerful strategies to help you effectively manage your time and succeed on the exam

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Good but difficult!.......2003-05-24

    US Government was the first AP course I ever took, and being first, I wanted to make sure I got a good grade on it. So I bought this book and began to study it about every day for a month before the AP test. However, I found the book very confusing in some parts. Most of the words they used you had to get a dictionary to even understand. The other criticism I have is that the practice tests and questions were way harder than on the actual test. I got what would be equivalent to a "2" (out of 5) on the book test while I got closer to a 4-5 on the actual test. Good book though, but I would definitely not reccomend you use it on its own to study for an AP Exam with -- use your textbook too!

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