AP Biology 2011 Official Thread

<p>What about “Brightstorm AP Biology?”</p>

<p>Hey is the Sparknotes online diagnostic test harder, easier, or about the same as the actual AP Test?</p>

<p>I heard that Sparknotes AP Biology’s practice problems are easier than the actual exam.</p>

<p>I have a question!</p>

<p>In DNA Replication, is Rosalind Franklin took x-ray crystallography photo of DNA shows only helix structrure of DNA or double-helix? (In other words, did Watson and Crick discovered that DNA is in doubli helix or did Rosalind Franklin discovered that the DNA is actually double helix)?</p>

<p>

It’s actually a combination of both! Rosalind conducted the x-ray crystallography imaging, and Watson and Crick then used that data to propose the double-helix structure of DNA.</p>

<p>I know it’s early, but is anyone else nervous about this exam?</p>

<p>^ Study and it will be alright.</p>

<p>Studying hard will be the only option to succeed in AP Bio exam.</p>

<p>Will some of M.C. questions from previous exams appear on this year’s exam?..if so, how many (like 25 questions)?</p>

<p>Barron’s AP Biology is the best book. I just started studying Feb. 1, so that gives me 3 months to go over all of biology and take a a ton of practice tests. Do u guys think its possible for me to get a 5 on the exam by self-studying. I did not take the AP Bio class.</p>

<p>Definitely, I just started too!</p>

<p>Is 3 month enough time to prepare, given the condition that studying hard and solve many practice problems?</p>

<p>ALso, is there any website (othet than College Board) that has practice problems for AP Bio and Mendelian Genetics?</p>

<p>Hello.
I recently bought 3 AP Bio prep books. I would like to choose 2 out of them to use those two prep books. Which two prep books best work for preparing for national exam?</p>

<p>Barron’s AP Biology</p>

<p>Cliff Notes AP Biology</p>

<p>Student Study Guide for Campbell Biology (not Holtzclaw)</p>

<p>^ You only need one: Cliff’s.</p>

<p>Do 37% of people get a 1 because the Bio test is really hard or because a lot of people take it?</p>

<p>A lot of people take it.</p>

<p>And a lot of people assume it’s too hard. If you sit down and honestly go through one of the released exams, you’ll quickly realize how simple it is. Obviously it’s not common sense, but the questions are not difficult whatsoever.</p>

<p>Sorry for asking this again, but I do not know what makes Cliff Notes most efficient AP Bio prep book than others, for I am sure Barron’s and 5 Steps to a 5 are also good as Cliffs. Will you tell me what Cliff Notes has that other prep books do not have?</p>

<p>As for prep book studying, I am planning to use Student Study Guide for Campbell Biology and Cliff Notes for In-Class Studying and Cliff + Barron’s + REA Crash COurse for ap bio exam. Is it okay to use 4~5 prep books if I can focus to every of them?</p>

<p>Yeah I think that’s a good plan. I think it matters more THAT you study than WHAT you study.</p>

<p>

It’s just the way that Cliff’s presents the material and information that makes it both the most efficient and the most effective. Barron’s AP Bio (not all subjects) has been known to have superfluous and unnecessary information. Cliff’s is consolidate, it’s to the point, and it’s easy to read. In the “consolidated review book recommendations” thread, Barron’s is actually on the “NOT recommended” list for AP Biology for the reason I cited above.

</p>

<p>That is way way way overkill, but suit yourself. The exam is very easy provided you know the material. And to know the material, it does not take reading 5 books plus taking the class. But maybe it does for you.</p>

<p>^
Thank you, SeekingUni! I just found out that using Barron’s + Cliffs is really efficient. </p>

<p>How long does it take you to prepare for AP Bio exam given the condition that you have to start from very beginning as reviewing (start from taking Diagnostic Test)?? How long does it take you to finish 1 prep book like Cliff? </p>

<p>Also, Do I have to know the every enzyme in Cellular Respiration, DNA Replication, and Protein Synthesis? My teacher told me that AP Bio exam only requires to memorize most important enzymes like Helicase, DNA Ligase, DNA Pol, and SSBN…</p>

<p>

As someone who took the class and kept up with my Campbell’s readings (for the most part), I was able to merely read Cliff’s from front to back, like a book, on the Saturday/Sunday before the AP exam (which was on a Monday) and get a five. I also took three released exams and scored them, and I did really well on them which got my confidence pretty high. I walked into the test feeling like I’ve already taken it before and that it was nothing, and did very well. Half the battle is not worrying about it by being exposed to it (via the released exams). </p>

<p>

Your teacher is right… you only need to know the most discussed and most important enzymes, such as the ones you mentioned. The exam is hardly specific and if you know the fundamentals of every topic, you’ll do well. </p>

<p>There was a thread around here with links to all of the released AP Bio exams, but I’m not sure if it was removed by now.</p>