(and What I’d Do Differently Next Time)
I studied for a little over two weeks — with literally zero background in world history — and still managed to get a 4 on the AP exam, without any tutor, class, or academy.
In this post, I’ll share exactly how I studied, why I think I got a 4 instead of a 5, and what I’d change if I were to do it again.
I used four main resources — three books and one online course:
Heimler’s History – Ultimate Review Packet (Online Course)
→ My lifesaver. Structured, easy-to-follow videos with guided notes that helped me build a complete foundation from scratch.
The Princeton Review: AP World History Premium Prep Book
→ My main content book for in-depth review and practice. Great for detailed explanations once you understand the overall flow.
ASAP World History: A Quick Review Study Guide (Princeton Review)
→ My final cram tool. Short, visual, and perfect for connecting everything before the test.
No Bull Review: World History
→ A light summary book (originally for SAT II). Simple language, great for quick review when I wanted a break from dense text.
When I say zero background, I mean none. I opened The Princeton Review book once and closed it in defeat — it made no sense.
That’s when I found Heimler’s Ultimate Review Packet. It cost around $29.99 and I watched every video, filled in the notes, and did the practice questions.
That course alone gave me structure, motivation, and clarity.
💡 Tip: Even if you can’t buy it, watch Heimler’s free YouTube lessons — they’re incredible for building a foundation.
I don’t consider watching videos to be studying — you have to reproduce what you learn.
So after watching each section, I rewrote everything from Heimler’s guided notes onto blank paper until I could explain each concept clearly.