AP BIOLOGY self study. Has anyone had success?

Has anyone had success self-studying for ap bio and received a 4 or 5?
It’s January…and soon I want to start studying for AP Bio. I could take the class, but I heard it was lots of work…assignments…and tests and quizzes. But really I rather just work at my own pace, which is why I decided to self-study.
Anyways, I bought Cliff Notes…and am planning on watching Bozeman Science videos. (has anyone heard of getafive.com or used it?)

Well…have you taken AP Bio and self-studied for it? How long did it take you to self study and what were the results?
thanks!

(and by the way I took pre-ap bio freshman year…and it was more of an art class, no joke…we colored alot…I don’t even really remember the phases of meiosis/mitosis…)

You would have a lot of work to do. A lot.

It is possible to self-study AP Biology, but you would need to start now and not procrastinate. It will be quite a bit of work, but completely manageable if you pace yourself.

I suggest using Barron’s and Cliffs. The former has the best table of contents in terms of what is actually on the exam and what isn’t as well as the most accurate practice tests out of any general review book. Cliffs provides the best targeted content review.

If you are really keen on learning biology for its own sake and not for an exam, read Campbell and Reece’s Biology. It’s the best introductory biology (and, in my opinion, one of the best science) textbooks in existence. It is heavy reading but very enjoyable nevertheless. Your school should have a copy available.