<p>CheeryBroody: from the experience I had in my double block AP Bio class, as long as you read the textbook throughout the year, carefully and making sure you understand the concepts well, and keep those concepts in mind, a review book will only prove as a summation of basic concepts. Personally, the review book is like reading all the important high-lighted material, so it’s only necessary if you don’t remember the course well. </p>
<p>For my class, the teacher administered three practice tests, one final and two graded practices, and that was more than enough. However, if you do need practice AP tests, then a review book, or past AP Bio exams, might prove helpful.</p>
<p>Dude, use Campbell. Make a year long plan to read every chapter and do all the chapter work. Then, starting a month before the test, review with Cliffs.</p>
CheeryBroody: from the experience I had in my double block AP Bio class, as long as you read the textbook throughout the year, carefully and making sure you understand the concepts well, and keep those concepts in mind, a review book will only prove as a summation of basic concepts. Personally, the review book is like reading all the important high-lighted material, so it’s only necessary if you don’t remember the course well.</p>
<p>For my class, the teacher administered three practice tests, one final and two graded practices, and that was more than enough. However, if you do need practice AP tests, then a review book, or past AP Bio exams, might prove helpful.
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<p>Thanks! I’ll probably end up not buying one anyways.</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’m the odd one out, but I used Cliffsnotes by itself and got a 5! Seriously, I tried to use my Campbell textbook, but whenever I read it I got NOTHING out of it. I felt like it skirted around actual explanation too much with flowery examples and generalizations, rather than, you know, actual scientific/logical explanation. Instead, I basically memorized Cliffsnotes front to back (didnt bother with the experiments section though).
Really though, you can’t just read it lazily. You have to actively digest every single word. I also used the Cliffsnotes flash cards, but they felt superfluous, so I put them away after a few chapters.
I was in a class, but I was the only one and my teacher would just kind of sit and his desk and give me study hall. I put off actually studying until a month before the test, erk.
Then I got Cliffsnotes and dove into it, basically 24/7 to cram, every spare moment.
From my experience with a number of official practice tests (my teacher gave me these) and (of course) the actual exam, Cliffs has EVERYTHING you need to know, everything on the test and nothing more or less. That’s if you seriously dig into it though… Don’t skim, and pay attention to every word.
If you’ve taken Chemistry, that’s the biggest boon. Learn the chemistry chapters really well, and think about the “why” and “how” rather than just memorizing by rote. It really helps you remember.</p>
<p>That’s just my experience! Just thought I’d chime in. As someone who has to pay for their schoolbooks herself, I’m keen on saving you any unnecessary prep expenses, you know? Haha.
It’s all about your own study style, though. I like hard logic rather than being given examples, so Campbell irked me and Cliffs was perfect.</p>
<p>I had an AP bio class that used Campbell, but I stopped reading it after about Halloween. It is about 15% info you need to 5 the AP and 85% filler. If you’re fascinated with Biology and EVERYTHING relating to the subject, read a Campbell textbook and cram with Cliffs. If you just want the 5, Cliffs the month (night) before will be fine.</p>
