Hey,
I’m planning to take the AP Calc BC, Computer Science, Physics C, and Bio tests next speing , so I was wondering what AP review books I should get.
More information:
AP Calc BC- I’m assuming the review books prep you for the AB part of the test too? I’m going to need something that goes pretty in depth (for the AB portion at least) because I didn’t take honors pre-calc this year because I took pre-calc online and honors pre-calc is supposed to lead to BC while pre-calc is supposed to lead to AB (but they let me in without question) so I’m thinking I need to teach myself some AB this summer! So yeah, I need a book that will help with that.
For Computer Science I’m taking the class so I just need a book for review, it doesn’t have to go into great depth.
For Physics C I need a really in depth book, because I’m self studying it. (Obviously the book won’t be my only resource, but yea)
For Bio- I’m taking honors bio and its supposed to be a really really hard class where you need to self study and look up outside information to do well so I need a book for that and for additional self study because I want to maybe take the AP Bio test.
Also, for what classes is it ok to get a book that’s a couple years old to save money?
Thanks!
AP Calc AB/BC: Barron’s
AP Bio: Mixture of Barron’s and Princeton Review (if you can get your hands on released SAT Subject Test exams or released AP Exams that would be great practice as well).
A book that is a couple years old should be fine. Just make sure that the tests haven’t changed dramatically since then. When taking the old released practice exams just use them as a guide to show you the holes and gaps in your studying, basically use them as review material and don’t take them too seriously beyond that. I found that to be extremely helpful when I took my AP exams.
For AP Biology, make sure that your exam review guide is 2013 or newer because the exam was drastically changed in 2013 from more of a regurgitation of material type of test to an analysis of data based off what you have learned, in a similar style to the ACT Science section. I used the Cliff’s Notes review book and practiced old FRQ’s and scored a 4 in 2013. Since the exam was changed for the 2013 test, only about 5% of test-takers score a 5, which is very low by AP standards.