I’m taking AP Bio this year as a junior. Biology and just science in general are not things I’m good at, but I would like to do well on the AP exam. So help me out here: what’s the better review book - Cliffsnotes or Barron’s? I just bought Cliffsnotes, but I’m kinda thinking I should’ve bought Barron’s instead because a lot of people in my class are buying it. Anyone compare the two books? Thanks!
Cliffnotes is the best for AP Bio (I haven’t used Cliffnotes for anything else). It is absolutely AMAZING. I didn’t study from my textbook at all because Cliffnotes and my class notes combined was the perfect combo. You haven’t wasted your money.
I took a look at the Barron’s book and it is a mess but I feel that way about all the Barron’s books except for the AP Stats one.
CliffNotes is ideal for AP Bio. Our teacher made a buy it as a requirement for class, and we use that as well as the textbook. I can tell you CliffNotes is amazing. I have used for 3 months now, and I have a solid A in AP Bio for the first quarter, but then again it is only the first quarter. Anyhow, it is beneficial in the fact that it reinforces what you learned from your teacher and in the textbook in more concise matter, with pictures, diagrams, and examples. I would not recommend Barron’s for anything honestly, if you want the highest score on any AP I suggesting using Kaplan 5 Steps, Princeton Review ( especially great for history APs), or CliffNotes.