Middle School

The scope of the past is nearly endless, but you may be asked about the following categories:The History of Ancient Civilizations, from Egypt to Greece to Rome, European History, including the history of major conflicts, movements, and royalty, American History from the colonial era to the present day, the role that world religions have played in history, the empires of Africa (Zulu, Asante), the Americas (Aztec, Maya, Inca). You will also be tested on Asian History, including the history of Chinese dynasties and kingdoms.

Students will be asked about major historical figures, events, royal families, and empires/nations from the above categories. 

Ex: Hernan Cortes was the Spanish conquistador who toppled which pre-Columbian empire in modern-day Mexico? 

A: Aztec Empire 

High School

The history of ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China, with an emphasis on their contributions to government, philosophy, and technology; major periods of European history, such as the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution; the causes and effects of major global conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War; the history of American development from colonization to the present day, with a focus on key political and social movements; the influence of world religions on culture and conflict, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism; the history of African empires such as the Zulu, Asante, Mali, and Songhai; the civilizations of the Americas, including the Aztec, Maya, and Inca, and their interactions with European colonization; the history of Chinese dynasties and their political and cultural impact; and key revolutions and movements that shaped the modern world, including the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, decolonization, and the rise of global superpowers. 

Beyond naming these events, students should be able to identify cause and effects in history and find patterns in historical trends. 

Ex: Imagine you are President John F. Kennedy and it is the Cuban Missile Crisis. You are trying to defuse the tension and want to call the leader of the Soviet Union at the time. Who do you call? 

A: Nikita Khrushchev