<p>I feel that it’s really not that difficult, as the only “hard” concepts to grasp are molecules and their bonds, different forms, functional groups, ect. However that’s manageable since it’s only about 7% of the test. I think that rote memorization will get anyone a 5, just have to sit and toil away for a few days!</p>
<p>I am presently on the Plants unit (which I do not find particularly pleasing based on my individual interests).</p>
<p>are you doing self study?</p>
<p>Yes, basically. I designed my own schedule since I am enrolled in AP Biology through the Independent Study option at my school (essentially a self-study course). I mainly provided my adviser with an outline of the curriculum before I enrolled and negotiated over the comprising elements of my letter grade (I decided to have my grade to solely consist of exams). I have 17 unit tests per year with three cumulative exams at the end of the first three quarters of the school year and one that will be a few days before the AP exam (so an evaluation approximately every eight days).</p>
<p>My teacher is absolutely terrible. I have learned nothing from her, so I’m going through the Barron’s book (I try to go through two chapters a week so I’ll be prepared by May). I’m basically doing a self-study. I’m also a shooting for a 5, but a 4 might be realistic because my class prep is so useless. I’m at classification but I need to go over cell respiration and photosynthesis again so I’m pretty behind. On the plus side I have studied animal reproduction and development because my teacher decided it went well with cell division. As if that isn’t bad enough, my APUSH teacher is just now doing the industrial age (waaay behind), so I have to read the AMSCO book on my own too. </p>
<p>As for the study method, I usually take notes. I may do flash cards later on, but my memory is pretty good so I feel like I can do just as well memorizing from the glossary.</p>
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<p>Oh my goodness. You should be covering World War II material by this point in time.</p>
<p>^That’s about where we were last year in APUSH too. We were on WWII four weeks before the AP exam and never really covered anything beyond the 1950s. Thank goodness there was no major question on the AP exam last year about Vietnam War, or else it would’ve been a disaster.</p>
<p>We are on vascular tissues in plants right now in bio.</p>
<p>We are still on the Mexican-America war, so it doesn’t give us much hope. I’m supposed to be getting my AMSCO book like a few days before Spring Break so I guess I’ll disect that as much as I possible can, but I doubt that there is much hope for a 5, given that I’m also preparing, with the same intensity, for a host of other tests. I starting to seriously dislike Junior year. 4 AP’s, 1 SAT, 1 ACT, and 3 SAT II’s. It’s getting to be a bit too much:(</p>
<p>^Don’t worry, it’s all going to turn out fine in the end even though at times it may not feel that way. You’ll be reviewing for the SATIIs the same time you prepare for the APs, and you’ll most likely get to choose which SATIIs you’ll want to submit.</p>
<p>Plants are so boring :S</p>
<p>Mexican-War eh? I don’t even know how its possible that you’re further behind than me because we talk about everything except US History in my class. Or if we do, its about Ambrose Burnside’s sideburns or something. </p>
<p>I’m not too concerned though, the AMSCO book is an easy read. Bio is much harder to retain. Thankfully my AP Spanish teacher prepares us really well (she has never had a student fail the test). I’m also taking AP 2D Design…no test haha :)</p>
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<p>:) We had a classroom discussion on that topic when I took the class.</p>
<p>I’m currently going through Cliffs and making an outline so it would be easier for me to look at the info easier… but I’m not sure if this is efficient though… 
taking me too long</p>
<p>Self-studier here. AP bio hasn’t been at all difficult. I usually just write my “own” essays, for example, I ask random questions to really test myself, then everything just coalesces once I’m finished writing. I’ve studied for USABO, so not only am I more used to the HARD questions, I’ve already sufficiently studied the Campbell book. </p>
<p>Also using Cliffs, and the essays are are annoying me due to their adroit precision, but I guess it’s for the best eh? And my friend self-studied for about 6 weeks last year (beginning of April to AP) and got a 5… [so now I’m really questioning the difficulty of this test]. </p>
<p>I simply peruse through the Campbell book and reinforce with Cliffs. (1 chapter a day when I feel like it?)
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!</p>
<p>I know everybody says Cliffs but is Barrons a good book as well? What makes Cliffs better?</p>
<p>Cliffs has a great outline and it’s questions are a bit more realistic than Barron’s. Barron’s offers a greater level of difficulty and doesn’t outline as well as Cliffs.</p>
<p>I’ve been using Barron’s. Is it worth buying Cliffs and switching to it? (I’m willing to spend the money if it saves me time)</p>
<p>Also, I found this guy’s videos helpful:</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - khanacademy’s Channel](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy#p/c/7A9646BC5110CF64/24/mfgCcFXUZRk]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy#p/c/7A9646BC5110CF64/24/mfgCcFXUZRk)</p>
<p>Khanacademy is AWESOME! Got me through SAT, ACT, SAT II, and final prep. He’s a great “tutor.”</p>
<p>I think that Barron’s will get you a 5 if you religiously look through it, but I find the organization of Cliff’s to be awesome, it’s just laid out for you. I go chapter by chapter and the FRQ/review questions are challenging enough to get you prepared for the real thing. I’ve seen Barron’s before but haven’t prepared from it before. I’m sure you’d do great with it. There is no “need” to get cliff’s, though it has proved to get many student 5’s on their exam.</p>
<p>Cliffs is simply more concise. Nonetheless, you will receive a greater amount of practice and better diagrams with Barron’s.</p>
<p>it seems like many ppl are making flashcards as they read through Cliffs? I’m writing out on my notebook as I read the Cliffs (writing out my own outline…) but it’s taking too long!!! does anyone think it’s ok to just read and highlight Cliffs instead of making flashcards, outlines etc? Are there any study methods you guys recommend for someone who is not very good at memorizing?</p>