The first step is actually knowing the structure of the AP World History Exam. The exam consists of two equally weighted sections, the 70-question multiple choice section and the three Free Response (essay) questions. The 70-question multiple choice section is designed to be difficult and push your knowledge to the limit, so remember that getting an 80% on the multiple choice section still puts you in range to get a 5 on the exam. The Free Response section of the Exam is divided in the the DBQ: an essay that involves the analysis of documents, the C&C: an essay that requires you to make direct comparisons and contrasts between contemporary civilizations, and the CCOT: an essay that makes you analyze the changes and continuities of a region over a long period of time. Studying how to write each of these essays is an essential part of doing well on the exam.
Begin your review for the AP World History Exam about two months before the test (may 14th), giving you plenty of time. If you try to pack the review into the few weeks before the exam, you will end up cramming and not retaining the information that you need.
Buy yourself a review book designed specifically for the AP World History Exam. I recommend both Kaplan and Princeton Review. These books will give you a nice review of all the information you have learned throughout the year as well as two practice tests for the actual exam. These books will also often help to provide a different perspective than your textbook, allowing you to gain a broader view of the AP World History information.
Combine your study out of the review book with a study of your chapter outlines from throughout the year. All of the review will seem tedious, but it really helps to see the essential information one more time before the AP World History Exam itself.
Participate thoroughly in the class-structure review. Your teacher most often has years of experience with the exam and knows the type of questions that the exam is most likely to present.
With two weeks left before the AP World History Exam, begin to take either two or three, full-length practice exams. Make sure that you time yourself and take the exams in the same conditions as you will on test day. One of the worst mistakes on the AP World History Exam is that students don't know how to manage their time on the essay section, writing two solid essays but leaving only 10 minutes for the final essay and bombing it
The night before the exam, relax. Watch a movie, have fun with the family, do anything except for study. Get to bed early the night before the exam and make sure that you get to the testing site 15 minutes before the exam begins. Bring two #2 pencils and two pens and plenty of confidence into the room
If you work hard throughout the year and review well in the final two months before the exam, I am confident that you can get a 5 on your AP World History Exam