5 Steps vs Barron's for Physics B: DEFINITIVE ANSWER PLEEEASE!

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
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<p>Yea, I know there's a thread right below this asking what book is best for Physics B but it's dying down and I need a really definitive answer on this topic (and no one was replying to me in that thread).</p>

<p>I bought Barron's thinking it was a good idea because it was an older and more trusted publisher of AP books, but then people started saying 5 Steps was better for physics B... I was a little uneasy because my 14 day return policy was about to end, so I went ahead and exchanged it... Now that I have a fresh 14 policy I'd like to see if anybody has a comprehensive comparison to give me :-)</p>

<p>Basically from what I've gathered, both of writers are equally qualified, but Barron's has more practice questions (10MC 6 FR per chapter, vs 3MC, 1FR per chapter in 5Steps). 5 Steps is a lot more simple, and I mean that in the biggest way possible. The first chapter, Vectors took me over an hour to work through in Barron's (about 7ish pages plus the problems) and 5Steps took me about 10 minutes (3 or 4 pages, plus problems). Barron's went way more in depth with the concept and actually offered up an extra formula for use [the ol' c=sqrt(a^2+b^2 - 2ab Cos C)] in solving vector problems. 5 Steps didn't even touch on that, and yet people all over CC keep saying that 5 Steps got them a 5.</p>

<p>So which one is better? Barrons: The LONGER book that is devoted solely to Physics B, with more problems but possibly can over-prepare me, or 5Steps: The SHORTER book that covers B and C, with fewer problems and oddly short chapters, but that seems to be generally trusted by CCers?</p>

<p>Oh yes.. and WHY? :-) thank you in advance for any light you can shed.</p>

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<p>In my opinion, when comes down to AP Study guides, it down to the Princeton Review and the Barron’s.</p>

<p>As suggested by many people, Barron’s isn’t very good for sciences. That is what I have been told. I am also doing Ap Physics B this year and I am going to choose the Princeton Review. </p>

<p>Some have told me that the Barron’s is good for Physics C, not B.</p>

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<p>imo 5 steps to a 5 is much better then barrons. When I studied for physics B I used both and I found the 5steps did a much better job explaining what you needed to know. I found that although barrons goes into greater detail it doesn’t do as good a job as 5steps in explaining the material. I had to ask my physics teacher quite often to explain to me what the barrons prep book meant. Overall I found barrons was confusing and contained extraneous information wheras 5steps was more concise in its approach</p>

<p>ohh btw i got a 5</p>

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<p>PR for Physics B</p>

<p>Barron’s for Physics C</p>