Book excerpt: A Perfect Plan for the Perfect Score We want you to succeed on your AP* exam. That's why we've created this 5-step plan to help you study more effectively, use your preparation time wisely, and get your best score. This easy-to-follow guide offers you a complete review of your AP course, strategies to give you the edge on test day, and plenty of practice with AP-style test questions. You'll sharpen your subject knowledge, strengthen your thinking skills, and build your test-taking confidence with Full-length practice exams modeled on the real test All the terms and concepts you need to know to get your best score Your choice of three customized study schedules--so you can pick the one that meets your needs The 5-Step Plan helps you get the most out of your study time: Step 1: Set Up Your Study Program Step 2: Determine Your Readiness Step 3: Develop the Strategies Step 4: Review the Knowledge Step 5: Build Your Confidence Topics include: The Settling of the Western Hemisphere and Colonial America • The British Empire in America: Growth and Conflict • Resistance, Rebellion, and Revolution • The American Revolution and the New Nation • The Establishment of the New Political Systems • The Jeffersonian Revolution • The Rise of Manufacturing and the Age of Jackson • The Union Expanded and Challenged • The Union Divided: The Civil War • The Era of Reconstruction • Western Expansion and Its Impact on the American Character • America Transformed into the Industrial Giant of the World • The Rise of American Imperialism • The Progressive Era • The United States and World War I • The Beginning of Modern America • The Great Depression and the New Deal • World War II • The Origins of the Cold War • Prosperity and Anxiety • America in an Era of Turmoil • Decline and Rebirth • Prosperity and a New World Order • The Threat of Terrorism and the Increase of Presidential Power • Contemporary America: Evaluating the "Big Themes" of American History