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AP World History: Modern Sample DBQ

The AP World History: Modern Exam requires you to complete a document-based question, which is why we have provided example DBQ’s and tips for writing reponses below. Click each document below to view the sample. First, read the prompt itself. You’ll need to develop an argument using the skill of causation: how did empire-building processes […]

AP Human Geography: Political Organization of Space Notes

A nation is a group of people with common cultural characteristics, whereas a state is an area with defined boundaries that has sovereignty within its borders. A nation-state is a country whose political boundaries correspond with its cultural boundaries. Boundary disputes arise for various reasons. Some arise from the demarcation of the boundary, while others […]

Tips on How to Write the SAT Essay

When it comes to the SAT essay, the College Board is very helpful—they always use exactly the same format for the SAT essay, give you exactly the same directions, and ask you to include exactly the same kind of information in your essay. Because this never changes, you’ll know the directions ahead of time and […]

What's tested on the SAT: SAT Vocabulary

How is vocabulary tested on the SAT? If you took the PSAT prior to October 2015 or the SAT prior to March 2016, you are no doubt familiar with the fill-in-the-blank style of SAT vocabulary question (also known as the “Sentence Completion”) that was a mainstay on the SAT since 1946. Times are changing, however, […]

How to Study for the ACT in 3 Months

Three months is a solid amount of time to prep for the ACT. With 3 months, you will be able to spread out your studying and have ample time to work to master concepts tested on the ACT that may be unfamiliar at the start. Studying for the ACT can be a daunting task. The […]

SAT Study Guide: The Week Before Test Day

Follow this 1-week SAT Study Plan to learn about the SAT, find quick ways to improve your score, and build your test-taking endurance. This plan assumes you have about five hours over the weekend and 90 minutes each weeknight to spend on SAT prep, but feel free to adjust it to fit your schedule. The […]

AP US History Exam: Period 5 Notes (1844-1877)

Americans enthusiastically supported Western expansion in hopes of finding new economic opportunities. The philosophy of “Manifest Destiny” emerged as motivation for this westward migration. America’s expansionist philosophy extended into foreign policy as well, as evidenced by conflict over the Oregon territory with Britain and involvement in the Mexican-American War. The Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska […]

7 Essay Tips for GMAT Analytical Writing

The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) provides clear instructions on how you should plan and write your essay. Kaplan students learn these instructions long before Test Day and do not waste precious testing time reading them while the clock ticks. Kaplan GMAT students learn the Kaplan Method for AWA and the Kaplan template for structuring […]

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Style, Tone & Main Idea

It’s important to keep in mind for all Reading Comprehension questions that just because an answer choice is reasonable, true, or mentioned in the passage, does not mean it is necessarily correct. Always ask yourself: which answer choice best addresses the specific question being asked? Look to eliminate answer choices that are outside the scope […]

GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice: Difficult Passages

Take a few minutes to review GMAT Reading Comprehension question types and strategies in detail. Then, try out your skills on this high level GMAT Reading Comprehension passage and questions. Give yourself about 10-20 minutes to complete the passage and questions, not forgetting to sufficiently analyze the passage. Once you have finished, check your analysis and answers with ours to […]