AP Bio tips + what I should know before entering the school year

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>I'm in this scholars program that basically screwed up my schedule. I took honors chem freshman year and now I'm taking AP Bio sophomore year. Don't ask why. </p>

<p>Anyway, since I haven't taken Bio and most likely won't have summer school, how should I prepare myself? I'm really worried because I never took Bio. The closest I took to Bio was College Prep Life Science in 7th grade, which I did really good in. Won awards and all that. Plus, I am interested in Bio if that counts for anything. So what should I learn a little about before entering the class? Also, do you have any tips on how to maintain a high grade? The only other AP I've taken is AP Human Geography, which I did really good in. The memorizing for me isn't a problem, just understanding complex subjects like in chem gets to me. Chem wasn't my strong point.</p>

<p>Should I try learning about evolution, genetics, biochem maybe?
I found this guy, I'll prob watch all his videos eventually: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/bozemanbiology"&gt;https://www.youtube.com/user/bozemanbiology&lt;/a>
Also, should I try memorizing these? <a href="http://quizlet.com/6155719/100-words-to-know-before-starting-ap-biology-flash-cards/"&gt;http://quizlet.com/6155719/100-words-to-know-before-starting-ap-biology-flash-cards/&lt;/a> </p>

<p>I'll also have a summer assignment, don't know what it is yet though</p>

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<p>It really is just memorization when it comes to Bio;I suggest you just get Barron’s and PR and study from those a few days before the class actually discusses it.</p>

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<p>@helpmeyolo AP Bio is NOT memorization. They changed curriculum 2 years ago. It revolves around 4 big ideas: evolution, genetics, energy(photosynthesis and respiration, free energy, etc), and systems and interactions (ecology). Basically, they changed the course so that it focuses on inferences and coming to conclusions based on info you synthesize from paragraphs of background info and graphs. I suggest you go to collegeboard AP Bio and take a look at the course syllabus and the practice exams from 2012-2013 and earlier. Bozeman is a great resource, you HAVE to use it if you want to do well in Bio, almost every bio student watches his videos.</p>

<p>Goodluck, coming from a guy that took AP bio this year.</p>

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<p>@Martin18 I took ap bio last year when the change was implemented, and it is still mostly memorization. All you need is a basic understanding of how to read graphs and how to analyze documents, which are skills that any high school student who thinks they are ready for AP should be able to do.</p>

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<p>Honestly, it is the ACT Science section with some bio worked in for multiple choice. For the short answer, those four ideas martin listed above are pretty correct.</p>

<p>As far as the general course goes, take good notes and you will be fine. Bio is very easy conceptually for the most part.</p>

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<p>OP might want to look into taking a virtual class for Bio honors and work through that over the summer; that is the best way to prep for AP bio.</p>

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<p>I took ap bio as a sophomore too :slight_smile: I didn’t have any prior bio experience, I remember being really nervous but it has turned out to be one of my favorite classes. You don’t need to take virtual classes or anything (unless you’re weaker in science, but from your stats you don’t seem to be) just read the Campbell biology book as u take the class. Referring to the book with each unit in class really helps you grasp the topic. The best advice I can give you is to READ THE BOOK and really immerse yourself in the topic. I’m sure you’ll do great, don’t stress at all. </p>