<p>For anyone taking, or thinking of taking the 2011 AP Biology class and exam, ITT we will discuss preparation techniques, go over questions that could be on the exam and talk about Biology in general.</p>
<p>I understand that it is early for this thread, but if we're all going to score 5's we need to start studying this summer. So this is the official AP Biology 2011 thread. Past test takers feel free to share your tips. </p>
<p>I'm planning on taking the class, for people who are self studying this thread should be even more useful. So happy posting. Remember: This is for the AP Biology exam scheduled in May of 2011.</p>
<p>You definitely do not need to start studying during the summer to get a 5. Maybe like January, or December if you have a hard time with concepts.</p>
<p>If you don’t have a class you should start in January latest. If you have a class with a teacher who knows their stuff you don’t need to study on your own until a week before the test at the earliest… relax a bit.</p>
<p>I took it this year. You MOST LIKELY won’t have to know any specifics on protists, animal development, or the heart. Know the basic characteristics and skip them. Bio is all memorization so don’t wait until March to start studying. It may not be in your book but know a little about what the first living organisms where like.</p>
<p>You MOST LIKELY won’t have to know any specifics on :
-protists
-fungi
-animal development
-the heart
-how hormone signaling works
-biochemistry
-12 “required” labs</p>
<p>Know the basic characteristics and skip them. The lab information will be given to you on the test. Familiarize your self with any equipment that shows up more than once though.</p>
<p>Spend extra time on</p>
<p>-photosynthesis
-respiration
-plants
-evolution
-body hormones
-DNA
-Genetics
-all parts of ecology</p>
<p>When should I start studying?</p>
<p>If you are self studying, I recommend shortly after winter break (or before better yet). Biology is all memorization so you would really be screwing yourself over if you waited until March to start learning. If you take the class you will be using Campell’s Biology book which has around 55 chapters. You won’t finish the book. If by the test date your teacher your teach is halfway or more through the book, you should start reviewing and skiming/reading notes on chapters not covered by at least early April. If you finish less than half of the book, you should start reviewing by early March.</p>
<p>Misc. That Will Probably Show Up on Test
-how the first living organisms were
-diffusion and predicting concentration changes
-Punnet squares and Mendelian ratios
By far the best part of the test is the “lab based questions” which are basically like the science section of the ACT: reading charts, graphs, and interpreting data.</p>
<p>@Derek260 Thanks a lot, I’ll probably have to self study most of it though I am taking the class. I’m still going to be 14 when I get into Bio AP Lol</p>
<p>Just wanted to mention…this is the official thread, so nobody start any other Biology 2011 threads. I have been studying bio all this time with Khan’s YouTube videos.</p>
<p>I disagree with the heart, hormone signaling, and especially biochemistry. Every biology student should know the parts of something as important as the mammalian heart (as well as have some knowledge about open circulatory systems). Hormone receptors and signaling could easily appear on a free-response question (like it did this year), so know at least the two main types of hormones (lipid/steroid and protein) as well as how the different receptors work. Finally, biochemistry is a major part of the test. Many multiple choice questions can simply be about what is in a certain molecule, how a certain molecule looks, or how a certain molecule works. Enzymes also fall under biochemistry, too.</p>
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<p>I used the same book and I will say that one should read through all relevant parts of it. What’s “relevant” will be pretty much based on what you see on past exams as well as in this topic.</p>
<p>Okay well I have been watching Berkeley Bio lectures and I have the 6th edition campbell I checked it out last year so I can look at it during the summer. Did you read a guide book? I wanted Cliff’s but my dad got PR.</p>
<p>Alright thanks. Was the multiple choice difficult in your opinion? I know how the FRQs tend to be, but never having seen the multiple choice I have no idea what to expect.</p>
<p>I honestly found them much easier than the ones I had on tests (from prep books) in the classroom. If you have a good understanding of the material, most of them should be easy. Pictures, match-ups, and comparisons should be gifts if they appear.</p>
<p>Okay thanks. I’ll be a sophomore next year. The biology exam really scares me because though math and science are my strong suits, the AP I have taken up to this point Human Geography was like a blow off AP. I have 3 scheduled for Sophomore year and my parents will be genuinely upset if I flunk the Bio opposed to them not caring about my previous AP’s</p>