How did I ever manage to pass AP tests without doing summer homework? And how did my daughter? :)
In fact, here's something interesting: my daughter passed the AP Euro History test last spring with one *semester* of independent self study. (On top of seven periods at H.S.) She began studying for it in January. Summer homework is simply unnecessary, IMHO.
Heck, I got a 4 in my American govt. AP exam a couple years ago WITHOUT EVEN TAKING THE AP CLASS. I just took the regular class and did fine.