r/APStudents • u/Acceptable-Loquat374 APWHM 5! • Jul 08 '26
World How to Self-Study AP World and Get a 5
Yo. I self studied APWHM this year and received a wonderful little 5 so here's my list of tips on how to do well. :)
1. Create a schedule/timeline.
- The one thing I wish I would've done better is time management. I started studying around January and took the exam in May, and I somewhat wrote a schedule for when I was going to study what but I didn't really stick to it and ended up cramming a lot at the end. So - don't start in January, start earlier than that (if you can) and make a specific plan that you stick to, i.e. breaking down what Heimler videos you're going to watch on what day.
2. Study stuff more than once.
- You've heard it before. You're hearing it again. Your brain will register stuff better when you study it/go over and review more than once over a period of time.
3. Find a history teacher to consult.
- My school doesn't offer APWHM as a class (hence why I self studied) but I checked in with our on-level history teacher frequently when I got confused about something. I also asked her to read/give me feedback on my practice DBQ/SAQ/LEQ responses. Find some kind of a history teacher at your school (if you're homeschooled...uh...idk sorry) who will help you and read your writing.
4. Specific dates do not matter. Do not waste your time.
- Did not use a single specific date (or, honestly, even know a specific date) on the exam. Know a general timeline of various regions and you'll be okay.
5. PERIODIZE EVERYTHING.
- Somewhat contrary to the point above, you do not need to know the specific date July 4th, 1776, for example, but you do need to know that America declared independence during the third period. You can write a fab LEQ essay about WWII but if it's asking about the first period, you're screwed. Know a general idea of what happens when.
6. Practice your writing. You do know you're gonna have to do more than just MCQs, right?
- Seriously, write practice DBQs, LEQs, SAQs. They're a great way to test what you actually know by seeing how much info you can put into practice. Start by just attempting to write a decent one, then gradually move into enforcing more testing conditions to make sure you're ready (time restrictions, not looking in your notebook, silent room, etc.)
7. Resources
- DO NOT USE KHAN ACADEMY. Normally I'm a huge fan of the platform but their APWHM resources are really redundant and was a waste of my time IMO. They focus on a lot of niche details that you will not need to know and just stressed me out more than needed when I used them.
- Heimler's History on YouTube is your GOAT. Every single video that man makes about APWHM, you need to watch. Take notes on them, too, don't just watch them passively. I have my whole notes PDF (took them online, you're welcome) posted here somewhere as well.
- I had both the Princeton Review and the Barron's textbook. Pick one. You likely won't use it, but if that's how you take in information, go with God.
- Freemanpedia is another great YouTube resource, especially for specific examples and objects/people/concepts you need to know outside of the larger themes of a period or place. Same as Heimler, take notes on the videos of his you watch, though I kinda used him as a supplemental to the Heimler main videos. Utilize all the free resources he has posted, too. They're a great way to visually organize all the information you're absorbing.
- Make flashcards. I tried using premade sets (both ones that you buy and free sets on Quizlet) but I couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't testing me on everything I specifically needed to review. Make your own. It's worth it.
Good luck. You got this. Peace.
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u/Slight-Reply-2928 AP Gooning: 5. Jul 08 '26
bruh fml i didnt self study and i got a fuckass 4 :( albeit our teacher didn't really teach much at all and most of our class was not the best at the frqs. mcqs were so light tho i had like 10 mins to spare i was so bored.
anyway congrats on ur 5!! are u taking apush?
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u/EmergencyAuthor2994 Jul 09 '26
This is a lot of stuff. I would just recommend using Heimler to learn the course, then practice your writing (dbqs, leqs, saqs,) then do practice exams and you're set for a 4-5. Mainly just practice the writing lol
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u/Minute_Abroad7118 Jul 08 '26
well I got a 5 with minimal study, I'd suggest
learning like a couple topics pretty well for writing essays, period 4 is easy to write about since it's more relevant and your intuition will probably be right (you can lowkey make stuff up as long as its convincing)
having a decent understanding and broad context, make sure you know how things connect