US History I vs II ????

[hmorri5]

Which is easier? I'm not interested in studying either but I need only one to fulfill my schools history requirement. I've read both exams feedback but mostly got mixed reviews about which was easier. Thanks!!

[blu2blu]

I would say II was easier. I think the IC cards were pretty good for that test. Don't take it cold though.

[KyleH]

Definitely one. I studied longer and harder for two but only got a 57 whereas I got a 70 on one with less studying.

[DSH2007]

Here's what I wrote on the History II feedback thread:

Although I did slightly better (by 4 points) than I did on History I, I thought History II was the more challenging exam.

I took the exams back to back, one month apart, so I know what I wrote was pretty accurate (for my experience).

Does the founding of the country interest you more than, say, learning what Wilson and FDR were up to? Perhaps you will do best by selecting the era that appeals to you most. Check out the Hippocampus videos; they may help you decide. Good luck!

~Steve

[clep3705]

Definitely one.

That is absolutely not universally true. As I've posted before, it does depend on the age of the test taker. I'm old enough that I remember a lot of the material on the U.S. History 2 test - basically the last 50 years. The 50 years before that I know from people who lived during that time. I heard stories about the Great Depression over and over again when I was growing up.

I think the material in U.S. History 2 is intrinsically easier to learn. Many people disagree. There isn't one correct answer. Pick a time period that interests you - that will be the correct choice for you. If you enjoy what you are studying, it will be easier.

[ShotoJuku]

US-II, chiefly due to much of the exam is on "recent history" that you should either be familiar with from HS courses and/or current events that have occurred in, or slightly prior to, your own lifetime.

[sbearyr13]

Today, I just took the Western Civ I test and scored a 54 after just reading the REA book and taking the Peterson tests online for only 2 weeks!!! I was SOOOOO happy!!!
My next goal is to take the US History I test because I need another history credit. Would you recommend that I study the REA book again and then take it? Is US history I easier than Western Civ I? I would LOVE to just take the test COLD without any prep studying, but I don't know if that would be advisable?! Any comments/help would be AWESOME!!

[Elinor]

Today, I just took the Western Civ I test and scored a 54 after just reading the REA book and taking the Peterson tests online for only 2 weeks!!! I was SOOOOO happy!!!
My next goal is to take the US History I test because I need another history credit. Would you recommend that I study the REA book again and then take it? Is US history I easier than Western Civ I? I would LOVE to just take the test COLD without any prep studying, but I don't know if that would be advisable?! Any comments/help would be AWESOME!!

Okay, from my experience I would say US I is easier, and, for me, more interesting. I did use the REA book, and I would definitely advise using it! The US II REA book wasn't quite as helpful - for me. I took US I and II the same day with only a week of study, I think, so you can see they weren't terribly difficult tests, particularly if you enjoy history. However, unless you're a pretty major history buff, I wouldn't recommend taking either test cold.

HERE is the blog post I wrote for US I, and HERE is the post for US II. Hope that helps!

[Rhashad]

both were about the same, fairly easy because most of the info is based in common knowledge. I would say II is slightly "easier" because some of the material is more current.

[aggie16]

I thought US History 1 was easier... Neither was very difficult though.