<p>I have posted the question in the "testing" section of CC but I'd also like to hear from parents who know about the subject. For AP Economics and US Gov, which review books worked better for your kids (who might've taken a relevant course and just used the books for review and preparation), Priceton Review, the Baron's, Kaplan's or some other series? Would appreciate your input!</p>
<p>Both kids who took AP US Gov just reviewed in class with the teacher. Because AP courses are, in a sense, taught “to the test,” it’s different than from SAT IIs.</p>
<p>Thanks. In this case, the kid took the online courses a while back. Since these subjects are so <em>knowledge based</em>, I think some review books would be helpful…</p>
<p>I used the Princeton Review for both AP Macro and AP Micro after taking the classes on Florida Virtual School and having read the Krugman / Wells textbook. I got a 5 on both exams. I took these classes during the school year though, so I still remembered a lot of the material.</p>
<p>I also took AP U.S. Government on FLVS the summer before junior year, so by the time the AP exam came around, I had forgotten what little I had learned from the poorly-designed class. I used Larry Krieger’s Crash Course prep book, and I got an easy 5. I highly recommend it.</p>
<p>Thanks, Keasbey. That’s very helpful. For AP econ, where you still remembered a lot of what you’d learned in class, did you feel Princeton Review would be enough to prepare you for a 5? Do you think the Krugman/Wells textbook (don’t know what it is yet) was necessary?</p>
<p>I definitely think that the Princeton Review was enough to get a 5 because I didn’t once touch the Krugman/Wells text once I was done with the online classes. However, I absorbed a lot from the book in the first place. The textbook certainly isn’t necessary, but it helped me in the class (as opposed to simply learning from the lessons that the online class provided).</p>
<p>Here is a good review website: [Untitled</a> Document](<a href=“http://reffonomics.com/reff/index.html]Untitled”>Untitled)</p>
<p>Thanks so much Keasbery! How about AP US Gov? Did you use Priceton Review for that too?</p>
<p>Anyone else has had experience with these review books?</p>
<p>For AP European History my teacher recommended the REA book, which I can’t say enough good things about. Not as fancy as the Princeton Review or Kaplan, but good, solid, easy to study review.</p>
<p>Suggestion: </p>
<p>When you decide which AP review book you want, look on Amazon and see if you can’t find it “used”. Many are unmarked and sell for a fraction of the cost of new ones. My daughter bought one for under .50 (plus shipping, still turned out under $5.00) instead of paying close to $20.00. The seller described the condition of the book as “very good” - but it looked almost new. Wish we had known to do this much earlier - we would have saved a ton of money.</p>
<p>You also might skip the latest edition to save a bit - there is often little difference between the latest edition and an earlier one.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks Smithie and ignatius for the tips! Other than the texts (if needed), I guess I’ll just get the Princeton Review? It doesn’t seem many people here have used those review books much. I understand they are not needed if the students are taking a class geared for the AP tests.</p>
<p>For US Gov, Crash Course is great. Princeton Review is a nice complement. If you really want to go in depth, get American Government in Black and White.</p>
<p>For Economics, Mankiw’s book is undoubtedly the best. Princeton Review is great for a quick review before the exam; I’d get the 5 Steps to a 5 book mainly to get extra practice tests.</p>
<p>You really can’t go wrong with any review book… at least that is my experience. Barrons are the ones I use, except for Bio (Cliffs) and Gov (Kaplan)</p>
<p>I used mostly 5 steps and liked them for six successful AP exams 4’s and 5’s. I also bought used books a few years old to save money. But have your kid look at the books and see which format they like best. Also, you can download tons of previously released test questions from the AP web site under each test. Good luck!</p>
<p>Princeton Review is complete crap for AP Gov. It’s just poorly written and doesn’t focus enough on the important material.</p>