***AP Biology Thread 2015-2016***

The College Board correlations says I need to read chapter 38.1 about the life cycles of plants, but neither Barron’s nor Cliffnotes has anything on the life cycle (alternation between haploid and diploid). Anyone who is actually take the class, have you guys learned this?

I have 2 frqs that are due for hw by Wednesday, I asked some classmates and my teacher but they weren’t of much help. Can anyone help me out?

@BobbyMD @ThinkOn

Unless there was a redesign last year, which to the best of my knowledge there wasn’t and there shouldn’t have been because the last redesign was only in 2012, both books should be 100% updated for the redesign.

Responding to your inquiries, I just felt Cliffs offered better preparation for the test and explained things in further detail.

If you’re really still unsure go buy both books and return the one you’re not using or don’t feel like using

robotseatcookies, thanks so much! Picked up cliffs and prepping for the exam. Let the studying begin!

@curiousscience My teacher said that we don’t need to worry about it, however she will do like a 5 min review on it for the ones who will take the Sat II.

Quick question, how do your teachers administer the tests? Like when I have exams, the cumulative ones range from 20 to 42 multiple choice, whereas the major topics (chapter) range from 20-24 questions. Usually there are two short response and we have about 50 minutes to complete it.

Our tests are 50 multiple choice, 5-8 grid in questions, and 3-4 free response questions

Our tests are all multiple choice, ranging from 60-80 questions.

Hey guys. Just curious what’s the criteria to score a 4 and 5 on this exam for both section one and two. I’m using 5 steps to a 5 and Cliffnotes biology book. Hoping to really get that 5 in May.

@jubilant56 I know this is like a year later, but can you update that link for the outline?

My teacher is not doing well in teaching us the material for the AP Biology Exam. My class currently covered only up to chapter 10 (Photosynthesis) of the Campbell book. I decided to read ahead and teach myself and now I’m currently in chapter 17 (From Gene to Protein). At this point I don’t think I have time to read the remaining units of the Campbell textbook (evolution, ecology, animals and plants, and some genetics chapters). I just don’t have a good study schedule and tend to procrastinate a lot. Do you guys think I should instead buy the Barron’s book and rely on that to cover the remaining units? Anyways, I’m looking more forward to AP Chemistry in my senior year and don’t plan to skip introductory biology in college (even if I get a 4 or a 5), since I feel that I don’t have a thorough grasp of the material.

@luigi66 I suggest CliffsNotes. I have both Barron’s and CliffsNotes and Barron’s is just a rough outline while CliffsNotes is a concise, detailed version of Campbell’s

got an outline of the rest of the chapters we’re reading in class and my class is skipping over the unit on Plant form & function, metabolism, and the whole genetics unit. I’m not so concerned about plants but skipping over metabolism and a whole genetics unit? Should I even be worried about this or should I skim the chapters lol?

I lost my hopes of getting a 5 on the AP Biology exam. I’ll just go ahead and get CliffsNotes to cover the remaining units. I’m looking forward to AP Chemistry in my senior year. I feel that AP Chemistry will be more useful to my major (Aerospace Engineering).

Of Cliffs and Barron’s, which one is better specifically for test prep? I have the huge Campbell book already since it’s my textbook for the class, so I don’t feel like I need a book that covers a ton of content (though one with more concise summaries might be nice). The things I’m really looking for are good practice questions and practice tests and some tips on taking the test itself.

^^^
Also, is Cliffs still appropriate since the exam has been revised since the latest edition of the book, which was published in 2004? I know everyone says Cliffs is the best but does it cover everything on the new exam?

@imbep49 I think the latest edition was published in 2013. Question still applies though!

We are at chapter 25, and will have 5 chapters to do for Spring break. Our teacher is covering everything, however skimming some parts. I can’t believe I haven’t read the last like 10 chapters and I still have a solid A in the class. But i think AP Biology is easy since I just took Biology Honors last year as a freshman.

My teacher gave me the 2013 CB sample released test as a practice and I got 49/58 questions right on the multiple choice (some were omitted out of the actual test administered). I’m pretty good with the part 2 so is this a good enough score for a 5?

@krauser126 You should try using this calculator. http://appass.com/calculators/biology. Good job on the multiple choice. Did you study before taking it? My teacher gave us part of a mc but we don’t have our results yet since it’s spring break. I found it to be easier than expected.