Hi! I received a 5 on the most recent AP World History exam and earned an A both semesters of my course. The overall exam was a breeze since I personally enjoyed the material of APWH and making connections between the time periods. I think a major portion of the curriculum is, in fact, to make connections and to be able to explain such in the essays. Of course you should review overwhelming themes and content of each region as a refresher and then proceed to make these connections.
I used the Kaplan review book but I believe any review book should suffice as a couple textbooks are used as a source for the test rather than a single one like for AP Biology which means the review book should include details that one textbook may have eliminated such as the Prague Spring period. Its all about the major themes and regions! The class should prepare you if you read most if not all the chapters you are assigned. I admit that I slacked off a bit near the modern era chapters but the exam does not focus as much on the more recent events (I’m talking post-WWII).
Know the format of the essays very well and practice writing such in constricted time intervals. Again, the class should suffice for this. The multiple choice is the biggest joke I have ever seen and you should not spend as much time on this portion unless you need to adjust to the speed and timing. The questions are straightforward, whether you know the material or you don’t.My also school had Shmoop accounts for all of the students and we did a couple of online exams which scored and analyzed your possible AP score. I only answered 30-40 of the questions correctly and Shmoop determined I was on track for a 3 which obviously was ridiculously incorrect. The questions are NOT reflective of the exam and should not be taken into consideration unless for material review.
If you have any other questions I would gladly answer them!