AP Art History w/CD-ROM (REA)-The Best Test Prep for (Test Preps) Reviews

• Much of my college app.

  
  By A1LK81CFC3MEZO on 2008-01-03
  I decided, in 11th grade, to take the AP Art History exam because I felt that the subject would be relevant to my future career as an architect. Our school does not offer a course in art history, so I had to study independently. This book provides more than sufficient material--due to an extremely tight schedule, I spent about 4-5 days reading through the book once and received a 5 on the exam with virtually no prior knowledge of art history apart from what I had memorized from the book. I would say that if you can memorize about 60% of the book, you'll do well. (Don't procrastinate as I did, though. I couldn't walk straight by the end of that AP week.)
  
  After the exam, I went back to the book and re-read it so the information would be retained longer. During summer, I went to an architecture program and my knowledge from reading this book helped me immensely. Since then, my interest in art history has expanded and I've explored the subject much more thoroughly.
  
  I took the exam at the school where the first author teaches (taught?) and met some of the (many) students. He is apparently very well-versed in both the exam and the subject.
  
  Obviously, if you love art history, there are better texts (Gardner, Stokstad, etc.) with colorful illustrations and interesting facts. If you are new to the subject and simply want to pass the test or to learn the basics of this awesome subject, this book is easier.
  
  

• Great Review Book!

  
  By A2LY1U8HJEUTMJ on 2007-07-20
  I took an Art History course that was not AP, and thus covered extra material outside of class in order to take the exam. I used this book to help review before the exam, and I received a 5. This book was great for review and really covered the essential topics, as opposed to my very detailed notes for class and massive textbook (I used Janson). It also helped a great deal to fill me in on areas we did not cover, but because art is such a broad subject and the exam can cover such a range of material, not everything was included (but that can't exactly be expected!). The timed practice tests were really useful for getting a hang of the test. I loved the lists in the back of important works, female artists, and American artists- they showed up on the exam as promised by my teacher and this book! I would absolutely recommend this book for review, in conjunction with other sources to cover as much material as possible.
  
  

• Excellent!

  
  By A2A3KNSKOF663V on 2007-07-22
  During my 11th grade highschool year I took the Art History AP test WITHOUT ever taking an Art History course. My only review materials were the "Annotated Mona Lisa" (also a great book) and REA's Art History. One of the best study guides I have EVER used for any AP test, REA covers the material rationally and in depth. I owe my preparedness for the Art History exam to REA (I got a 5!).
  If you had to choose between a 10 pound Art encyclopedia and REA's guide in order to prepare for your test, choose REA!
  
  

• MOST Helpful!

  
  By A2XIIEBEFKYNK3 on 2007-05-20
  I purchased this book for my 10 grade son. He definitely put in about three weeks of solid study and focus. After he took the AP Art History test, he said that every question he recalled reading in the book! I would consider this book for your student as well!
  
  

• Insightful and detailed, yet simple

  
  By A5S4KJ8LTMKWN on 2008-02-23
  With a teacher who doesn't quite know how to teach, I really needed a GREAT review book for the exam. This book covers key artworks from each period (but only a few, not enough to overwhelm), how periods and artworks influenced each other (which is an important part of the exam), and gives you a great feel for each period- something invaluable that can usually only be gained through intense study.
  I have yet to take my AP Exam, but I got a 5 on a midterm modeled after it, using real previous questions from exams. The information in this book paralleled the midterm so perfectly, it was unreal. (Specific questions about the Amarna style from Ancient Egypt, who discovered various ancient artifacts, and how the centrally-planned structure was taken from San Vitale... All these were in the exam book and on my midterm!)
  In addition, this book was a delight to read, and it was all written in easy-to-understand language that did not exhaust me quickly.
  I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone taking the course!!!!
  
  

• The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History from Prehistoric to Post-Modern
• Barron's AP Art History 2008 (Barron's Ap Art History)
• The Illustrated Timeline of Art History: A Crash Course in Words & Pictures (Illustrated Timeline)
• The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History Of Architecture
• Barron's AP Art History--2008 with CD-ROM (Barron's: the Leader in Test Preparation)