Which is harder and/or takes more time, AP Gov or AP US History?

[Anonymous]

Wondering what to start with in 9th grade, if the goal is to satisfy 3 years of Social Studies requirements with all APs (Gov, US history, World History).

[Anonymous]

I am wondering this too. Some schools seem to suggest APUSH for 9th, while for others its AP Gov.

[Anonymous]

APUSH is harder. At DC's school, it's AP Gov in 9th and APUSH in 10th.

[Anonymous]

My daughter did AP Gov in 9th and APUSH in 10th. She enjoyed APUSH more, but it was a lot more work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what to start with in 9th grade, if the goal is to satisfy 3 years of Social Studies requirements with all APs (Gov, US history, World History).

Most schools have 9th graders take either one or the other, and then whichever one is left is in 10th grade, followed by AP World in 11th.

[Anonymous]

DS took AP Gov in 9 and found it to be both harder and more interesting than APUSH in 10. So it just depends on the kid’s interest and the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering what to start with in 9th grade, if the goal is to satisfy 3 years of Social Studies requirements with all APs (Gov, US history, World History).

At my DDs high school, only AP gov is offered in 9th grade so DD took that then and APUSH, now in 10th grade. She had a harder time with AP Gov and seems to be breezing through APUSH but I think it was more due to adjusting to the rigor of an AP class for the first time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter did AP Gov in 9th and APUSH in 10th. She enjoyed APUSH more, but it was a lot more work.

Agreed. There’s a lot more specific content to cover on APUSH, but a good teacher can make it really interesting. My DD felt like AP Gov was more overarching concepts bolstered by a more limited set of specifics, so the readings felt less stressful. She couldn’t believe friends at others schools had to start with APUSH as their first AP.

Last year, out of all the AP courses, the APUSH exam (nationally) had one of the lowest percentages of 3s and above. It’s just a lot of material.

[Anonymous]

APUSH covers two semesters while AP Gov covers only one semester.

[Anonymous]

You can take any AP test without actually taking the course. Just pick one!

[Anonymous]

Take AP Gov first. APUSH is definitely more challenging and harder. Kids should not be taking it in 9th grad but our school kinda only allows it in 9th and most kids do horrible. But, there is grade inflation. Average score is a 3. But grade is an A.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APUSH is harder. At DC's school, it's AP Gov in 9th and APUSH in 10th.

Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS took AP Gov in 9 and found it to be both harder and more interesting than APUSH in 10. So it just depends on the kid’s interest and the teacher.

Objectively, there is more content in APUSH than in GoPo, and more writing, so best to do one of the following in 9th grade: GoPo, Comparative Gov't or Human Geography. And of course your 10th grader who has already taken an AP class will find the next one easier. - teacher of both classes.

[Anonymous]

My school does AP world freshman year,
APUSH sophomore, AP Euro junior, and AP gov senior. AP gov is only one semester so you’re done before senioritis kicks in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My school does AP world freshman year,
APUSH sophomore, AP Euro junior, and AP gov senior. AP gov is only one semester so you’re done before senioritis kicks in

This is in MCPS?