<p>I'm self-studying for AP Biology and was wondering what the most efficient and time-saving method is. I don't think handwriting nor typing notes will save that much time. What else should I try to do?
But will taking notes help me understand that materials better?
for those who self-studied and used Campbell.. how did you guys study for the exam?</p>
<p>I didn’t self-study, but I used Campbell-Reece for school. Reading it was enough for me, but that’s because I study best by reading AND because the book is so in-depth that you learn all that you need to learn and then some.</p>
<p>A word to the wise - read the chapters in order. They draw upon stuff from all the previous chapters, so you’ll be lost unless you know all of the stuff up to and including the chapter you are currently reading.</p>
<p>I agree with the above post. I didn’t do anything other than read the chapters (often just a day or two before the test) and I got an a and a 5 on the AP exam.</p>
<p>Since you’re self-studying, I recommend buying the test bank online and going through the chapter tests as if you were taking them in school. Grade them and see how you do. Then work on your weak areas.</p>
<p>Before the AP exam, read Cliff’s from front to back in a weekend. And you’ll be golden. 
If you’re not confident in your AP Bio knowledge by this point, find or buy the released exams, and get a random years’ previous FRQs from the CollegeBoard website. Give yourself the proper amount of time and simulate the actual AP exam by going through the released MC and then the FRQs and then grading it all. See how you do. I think the most beneficial thing I did was to go through three of the released exams. Doing this really familiarized me with the test and what kind of questions I’d be asked on the real thing. It made me much more comfortable and confident going into the exam, which I think was a huge factor in me getting a 5.</p>
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I agree. I spent the month before the AP Bio exam studying from Cliffs and I got a 5. It’s a great book, and it covers everything you’ll need to know for the exam really well. It also corresponds fairly well to Campbell’s, and can be used to supplement Campbell</p>
<p>to be completely honest, I didnt touch campbell at all last year. reading through cliffs and sleeping through class was enough for that 5 on the ap.</p>
<p>I just look over the bold terms, pictures, graphs, and experiments with my lecture notes and prep books.</p>
<p>To be honest, I just glanced over Campbells. CliffsAP Bio will help you get the 5 on the exam. Not to say that reading the textbook won’t help, but a 1000+ pages is kind of a lot.</p>