I just wanted to start this thread to see if anyone has any thoughts on AP Bio (difficulty, amount of homework, AP exam, is it worth it, etc) because I will be taking it next year as a senior. Also, thoughts on taking precalc versus algebra 3 if math is not something I am good at? Is it a really big difference to colleges? I have a feeling I would not do well in precalc. Thanks in advance for any information!
AP Bio is a toughie for most people, specially for students who cannot think on their feet under pressure. The key to doing well in this subject is to gather a solid resource packet BEFORE the year begins. Here’s what I would suggest from my experience this year:
(a) Over the summer, go the College Board website and carefully read the course description and the sample test.
(b) Decide on ONE guide book (most current) according to what you think fulfills the requirements. I used Kaplan. Not bad! You can ask those who have already taken the course.
© Start reading that book over the summer to become familiar with content and test style. It’s a certain way of thinking that is required for success in AP Bio. It’s mostly applications.
(d) Practice, practice , practice from day 1 on as many released tests you can find online (depending on progress in school), ESPECIALLY the FRQs. They were long and hard this year. A lot of students could not finish the test today.
(e) You MUST finish working on all the sample tests in your chosen guide book, and the full-length 2008 released test before the final exam. Time yourself. It’s crucial!
(f) Go to the Natick School’s PPts and Mr. Brainbeau’s website and look at them over the summer. Use them with your chosen guide book. These 3 resources help you organize a very vast syllabus and maintain your sanity. Also, the Bozeman videos are a great help.
(g) DO NOT study from a mountain of multiple resources as it overwhelms most students, specially as the exam day approaches. Keep it manegeable, as time constraint will not allow you to go over everything unless you summarize.
Hope that helps. Most students in my class struggled with AP Bio this year because teaching was very scattered and not a single, full-length practice test was given to the students during the year. Also, the Campbell textbook is a monster and has to be read much before the final AP. The night before the main exam, you need summaries.
I am taking precalc next year, as a senior, but can’t offer any advice on it yet. I am no math whiz, but I am willing to work hard.
From what I’ve seen Algebra III is like a review on Geometry, Algebra I, and Algebra II, as well as a few new concepts. PreCalc is mostly newer stuff.
AP Bio is hard but rewarding I agree with what @AustenFan7 said, especially about the Bozeman videos.Practice is especially important, you should take multiple, multiple full length practices. If you apply yourself and work hard, you will usually eb able to do well.
You should talk to some students who were in AP Bio/ are in AP Bio right now to get some opinions on what the teachers are like. I had pretty lax teachers, but they definitely got me prepared for the AP Bio test; it varies school to school. Math is not a big part of AP Bio so don’t worry. I feel like AP Bio math is little to no thinking and mostly plugging and chugging. I feel like AP Bio is totally worth it, loved the regular class as a freshman and loved the AP class as a junior. AP Biology is only moderately difficult, it really depends on how fast you memorize things and how motivated you are to read your textbook. I went through the Barron’s book and took 3 mock AP exams proctored by my teachers, so I felt pretty prepared by the time I took the test.
Don’t sice it. Read the textbook a bit every day and you’ll be fine. There’s barely any homework but there is a lot of studying and class work. Just stay on top of your game and you should do well. I took it this year, got an A both semesters, and I’m expecting a 4 on the exam.
Also I’m a junior and Bio was the first AP I’ve ever taken.
I actually took AP Bio my freshman year, and it was one of the most awful experiences. It was a lot of work, and no matter what I did, I never did well. I ended up with a 2 on the exam, which was expected.
I then took General Biology 1 and 2 at a local college and got an A both semesters. I would recommend looking into local bridge programs.