@alphatr0n I thought AP bio was wayyyyyy easier than AP chem. Of course you’ll still have to put the work in, but at for me I remember I spent much more time on AP Chem than I did on AP bio.
If you want statistics, then about 6% of test takers got 5’s last year(including me :-h ). So it is difficult to get a 5.
That said, the awesome thing about AP Biology is that its all concepts. If you can remember the basic concepts of how something works and/or why it occurs, you’re good to go! You don’t have to remember the names of specific molecules or enzymes, you can just describe its function. I remember putting down something like ‘the enzyme that does A, B, and C helps to…’ because I couldn’t remember the name. So if you can remember and explain concepts, you’re good to go.
@PRAN1999 Most of the concepts are similar to SAT II but I’m confused on the short response. In my class (well there are only two classes), most of us took the SAT II before coming here so we know the basics and the in-depth information. How do you get really get a 5? Bozeman Science and Barron’s book are just supplements and Biozone prep book are reinforcing information that we already know. Even though this is my teacher’s 2nd time teaching AP Bio , most of her class got 3s and 4s and they said that the exam is random (like the information learned weren’t on the test).
I have an awful teacher, what do I do? I know I’m going to have to study a lot on my own…it feels like she’s running the class at the same level as a middle school life science class. There’s no way we’d be ready for the AP Exam. I’m better at humanities so good teachers are really important for my success in math and science courses. Last year, I took AP Chem with an amazing teacher and studied hard but only managed a 3 (whereas with AP Euro I had a subpar teacher, hardly studied, and was still able to get a 5).
Took AP Biology last year, ended up with a 4 mostly due to the fact that I didn’t finish on time. Moral of the story bring a watch the the test and time yourself well because you really do need it.
Don’t fall for the bs that AP Bio is extremely hard, it’s definitely self studyable in 1 week (Personally crammed it before the test and was actually studying right 5 minutes before the exam started)
CliffNotes > Barrons 100%, memorize Cliffs and 100% you get a 5
Ask me if you need help
I heard that cliifNotes isn’t great for the changes in the test?
From who lol?
Best resource for me to use and I crammed it all in pretty much 1 night
AP Bio is not really hard if you can visualize and understand what you are reading
If you read the review books and can pick up on exactly what they mean, you’ll get a 4-5 on the test given you study.
If you can’t, ask. Ask your teacher, internet, the forum, even me. Asking is the best way to understand, and understanding is the best way to get a 5.
Hello~ I’m self-studying AP Bio currently, but based on other threads it seems that reading all of CAMPELL’S Biology book is a waste of time. I plan to only read the sections on major topics about Krebs/Photosynthesis, DNA/RNA, evolution, and ecology. I’m assuming that these appear in greater numbers for both the FRQ and MC? For the body systems/plants/animals, is it necessary to go through those in the textbook as thoroughly as the major topics? On another note, I was notified about how students would be required to know about/create lab procedures for the exam. For those of you that self-studied, how was obtaining that info possible? I have Cliffs Book and Barron’s, and plan on using those as major study tools; once I believe I know enough, I’ll probably take mock exams or past practice ones. Will this all be enough? The FRQ is really daunting haha…
@elfxangel If you are going to take a test, you should look practices test on a certain topic. This will test your memory and will reinforce what you learned. (make sure to time yourself for 50-55 minutes on a test that consists of 45 mc and 1 long sr).
You are correct in saying that Campbell overprepares you for the AP Biology test. Studying from Campbell and thoroughly is for those who are genuinely interested in Biology and wants to go into that general field of area, but given that you are self studying it’s likely that Campbell will be too much for you.
It is fine to skip some sections of the textbook if you are self studying, but do not skip any sections except for Animal Reproduction in the CliffNotes and Barron’s review books.
Definitely the 4 big ideas of biology are tested more often on the AP Bio test, but you should know both review books in depth with full understanding of each word if you plan for a 5.
For lab procedures, this is the part where school really really helps a lot. Fortunately in the 2015 test, there were few questions about labs so I didn’t have to worry about this. To prepare for labs in self study, both Cliffs and Barrons have an appendix on how to write and review labs, you must study this in depth and know how to apply statistics. Review previous tests’ math problems and FRQs as well for prep.
For the FRQ, just make sure you know enough on any given general topic that you can write at least half a page on it. Find old FRQs, practice and check your work.
I think you will be fine for the AP Bio test given you study both prep books in depth and don’t cram it, making sure you understand everything you read and can recite the concepts from heart in detail. It’s a good idea to get a start now and finish learning everything by March or April, then using the last few weeks to really make sure you know everything.
Thank you for your help! Time to start memorizing the review books… Will other labs be on the exam, other than those discussed in the review books?
Not too sure how to answer that but most labs on the exam don’t really require you to recite the results and how it will go, you just have to have practice creating your own labs. If it does ask you for a result, multiple answers are possible as long as you can back it up with what you learn in biology.
Memorizing is good, but make sure you also understand and can apply everything!
And actually, there were no labs of any kind on this years AP test. I was very surprised especially considering I had a lab design due every other week for the better part of the year.
^That said, a good formula for lab design is as follows:
I - Independent Variable
D - Dependent Variable
C - Control group
C - Constants (can be light, temp. etc…)
V - Validity (of results)
S - Statistical Analysis (chi-square analysis)
H - Hypothesis
In the make up test the long FRQ was a lab. The fact that only 2015 had no lab design is very suggestive that 2016 will 
Does anyone have any tips for me? I’m freaking about the biochem part. I didn’t take chemistry or biology before AP biology. Learning all the parts except the chem part has been easy. How important is it to know functional groups, being able to tell if it’s a protein or lipid group for eg, and knowing about elements themselves?
Any tips for basic biology or chemistry that I should study before the test that would help me would be great. I’m super nervous. I’m trying to prepare as best as possible.
What prep book should I use to prepare for the revised exam?
It seems like PR and Barron’s isn’t updated for the new exam that emphasizes application rather than facts.
Thanks.
@Friolero I’m also doing Biochemistry right now. Functional groups are extremely important to know because if you don’t know why one amino acid is acidic or basic, you’re screwed there. My teacher gave us a sheet and put asterisks on four major ones tested (like you should know Carboxylic Acid/Carboxyl Group - COOH and the Amine Group NH3). To determine what macromolecule you are given, you should know the monomers and the structural forms (like glucose have rings or lipids have 3 fatty acids and one glycerol).
@sdw8253 I’m using the current edition of Barron’s and CliffsAP 3rd Edition (pdf) and honestly, the “updates”, unless major ones, are not going to be updated with these books (a lot of my colleagues and teachers told me this). The 2016 revised exam is going to have more math questions, according to my teacher.
Hi
Complete AP Bio noob here, just started the course online.
Maintaining an A
Anyway, what things should I be super familiar with before the test to guarantee a 4/5?
Thanks! I’m currently on cell stuffs.
^ You mean like cell organelles?