<p>@Zeppelin7 no he doesn’t -> when you say guided readings, do you mean something like this? <a href=“http://www.biologyjunction.com/ap_biology_guided_reading_campbe.htm”>http://www.biologyjunction.com/ap_biology_guided_reading_campbe.htm</a></p>
<p>Yeah, mine looked a little different (my school used a newer edition, so the guided readings where probably a tad bit different). But yeah these. These helped me retain the information alot better when i was reading </p>
<p>Hey everyone,
I’m actually from Canada and i’m in AP Bio and AP chem. My classes are actually virtual (lack of intelligence in my school). I have talked to previous classmates and they said it was a breeze. Our teacher knows most students struggle in the FRQ section so, she gives us one for an assignment each week from previous exams. Virtual classes are actually the best, they help a lot in university in terms of self learning.
Good luck to everyone in May!</p>
<p>Hey everyone</p>
<p>I am self studying AP Biology as a freshman alongside Psychology, and just wanted to inquire whether having a textbook is necessary. I own a 6th edition hardcopy and a 10th edition PDF, but have gotten late starting (only covered up to cellular respiration in depth and photosynthesis, cell communication, DNA, meiosis, genetics BRIEFLY) and wanted to ask a question targeted specifically towards those who have taken the test already-</p>
<p>Can I get a 5 without the textbook, and only with Crash Course, Barron’s, Cliffnotes, and maybe some lecture notes I’ve found on the internet? Or is reading the textbook through 2x-3x necessary? Yes I might sound like a lazy copout but honestly I feel the textbook goes too in depth for certain things, and I don’t feel I need to know the internal complex of a golgi body more than I need to know how a DNA centrifuge works (correct me if I’m wrong.)</p>
<p>Please explain, thanks!</p>
@robotseatcookies The textbooks do go into WAY more depth than is needed for the AP exam. I think getting a review book is a great idea, but you should probably still keep the textbook for more in-depth study of the Big Ideas on CollegeBoard’s website or in case you need more explanation than the review book provides. I’m trying to figure all this stuff out too since my textbook is not helping me study for this exam at all. I also recommend watching Bozeman Science’s videos on YouTube; he’s great! Good luck. 
this might be useful 
Hey everyone i’m currently using the Campbell Global 9th Edition. Is it good enough to study this for AP bio cos i’m self-studying and i know zero about what to get to study for AP bio 
Also, i’m from Singapore so my bio knowledge is A Level stuff; is it enough for AP bio? What we learn for the A Levels is basically:
- Cellular Functions
- DNA and Genomics
- Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria
- Organisation and Control of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Genomes
- Genetic Basis for Variation
- Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
- Diversity and Evolution
I’ve checked the syllabus and example questions (on the CB website) for AP bio and it mostly seemed similar to what i’ve studied but there were some things that weren’t familiar to me (especially some phrasing of the questions).
Oh and when y’all mentioned lab are y’all referring to like data questions and writing down experiment steps? In SG our lab work is called SPA (school-based practical assessment) which is 1 graded experiment (20% of the final grade) along with doing data analysis of the experiment itself.
I’d appreciate all help thank you!
There are 12 AP Bio labs http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/homepage/34458.html, I think this is what most refer to by lab.
The campbell textbook covers I think 140% as much as you really need to know, so check the link I posted above for specifics (for 9th edition I think, not sure global or not).
https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/ap-student/course/ap-biology-2012-course-exam-description.pdf are 43 updated practice questions released by collegeboard active 2012 if you want a general idea of how you are doing.
Hope it helped
@robotseatcookies thank you!
Thanks for all the help! Looking forward to getting a 3.
@tomhavarford Come on man! Go and aim for that 5!
Hey guys,
Does someone mind telling me what your study habits are for AP Bio? My current situation is that my teacher is horrendous, and we move through the chapters too quickly; I don’t have enough time to comprehend the info. Her quizzes are all multiple choice TestBank quizzes which require a great deal of memorization. The teacher also refuses to give us practice FRQs because she’s too lazy to grade them and literally told me, “They’re too much of an effort to grade and read over, and this also isn’t a lecture-type class.”
90% of my class doesn’t give a damn about the class, and as a result, the 5 people that do (including me) are screwed over; my teacher simply DOESN’T TEACH and gives us reading guides to do on our own during class because she literally told me (and this is verbatim) “I just don’t care anymore.” We are also on Chapter 18 and have a quiz this Friday, just to give you all an idea of the pace of my class.
My teacher is also leaving in March for maternity leave, making matters worse. Any tips on how to study for the exam, keeping in mind my current situation? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks guys 
Take what I say with a grain of salt, because I am self studying, have not self studied any APs before, and am a freshman.
I purchased CliffNotes, Barrons, and Crash Course to help me self study. They seem alright, I think CliffNotes is the best, Crash Course being a good short review that covers main ideas, and Barrons is ok if you are familiar with the terms. I also have gotten a tutor who gives me weekly notes, old FRQs, and old AP tests (so more problems = more practice :D)
I guess what I do is memorize as much of my notes as possible, then do as many problems as possible. Knowing your material really helps when you do the FRQs because on those you pretty much just answer the question with as many details as possible to get you the 10 points required. Just make sure you the what and the why.
Again, don’t take what I say as a bible, but that’s pretty much what I’m doing. I have been rather lazy for the first semester, so I don’t think I’m going to get a perfect score on the test, but I am aiming for that five.
Good luck!
@futuredoctor202 We are on chapter 18 as well *gulp
Hello!
Does anyone know what percentage of questions need to be correct in order to get a 5 (For instance, in AP US Gov you need to get 75% correct to get a 5)? I’ve looked in all my prep books, and online, but to no avail. 
Hi everyone! This thread has been kind of dormant for a while. How have you all been doing with the class, and what topic are you on now?
Hey there! In my class, I am in the middle of genetics (mendelian). How does this compare to your guy’s classes? Am I behind, ahead, or right where I should be?
@FutureDoctor2028 I don’t know if you still need help with the studying habits, but I would suggest getting the new Princeton Review book (2015 version)! It helped me score a 93% on my final last semester in the class when before I was averaging C’s and D’s on tests. I feel like I’ve learned A LOT more from this book than I have in the class, and it gets rid of all the unnecessary information that’s in the textbook, putting more of a focus on what’s actually on the exam. I heard CliffNotes and Barron’s are also good review books! All I do is take notes, highlight, and try the quizzes at the end of each section.
My class is just starting Photosynthesis. We skipped around the chapters a lot in the first semester, so I’m not sure if we’re behind or where we should be. 
Hi all, I’m not taking an AP biolog class because my school hates the AP program, luckily runs many of the tests, however. So far, I’ve taken an intro regular to biology class, organisms and ecosystems focused biology class, advanced (ap-equivalent) chemistry, microbes and diseases, molecular cellular biology, and physiology and diseases. Basically 5 semeters of bio but may have forgotten ecology and biodiversity part a lot. I know i can make shit sound legit/scientific, but i need a comorehenaive review to see what i know vs.what the ap requires. Anyways, I’m seeking a prep book to summarize what I’m readding with Campbell and Reece 8th ed…
@turnupforwhat: Are you now just deciding to self study for the exam? If so, I really wouldn’t recommend it at this point.
However, in terms of prep books, I’m personally using CliffsNotes AP Biology (4th Edition; newest one) and Barron’s AP Biology (4th Edition). Barron’s 5th edition recently came out, so I would suggest buying that. Try to get one of the newer prep books (after 2012) as they changed the test format in 2012. Multiple choice and free response questions now include application-based questions, rather than knowledge regurgitation as it previously was.