<p>Alrighty, confession time:</p>
<p>I was homeschooled ninth grade, and well, kinda let the whole science thing slide. When I went back into PS this year, I decided to take AP Bio, and watched the Standard Deviants review VHS tape a couple times. I also haven't had chemistry. (At our school, the administration really pushes AP courses, so they don't check your background very well.)</p>
<p>Our class took two real-timed practice AP tests in class, and I got fives on both... not just fives, HIGH fives. </p>
<p>So, if you're willing to work your butt off, there is no reason why you can't take AP Bio without HS biology or chemistry. At least, it worked for me.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I think I'm going to try it. I'm probably going to read the Gate Textbook I mentioned during the summer...should I also read a study guide? If so, which do you recommend for biology (P.R., Barron's, Kaplan, etc.)? Oh, and to CLeigh, what's the Standard Deviants video?</p>
<p>Standard Deviants are videos that teach certain school subjects. Its like bill nye, but for all subjects, and are less interesting (to me anyways). I watched one on grammar and it was somewhat advanced so i dunno... Anyway, as far as review books, get Cliffs, though i have also heard that Barron's is good. But whatever you do, do not get PR. I used it and it was a joke. I didnt like it at all and doesnt go into ANY depth that you need to. And for last minute AP cramming, its lab section is horendous. Get Cliffs... Sparks may be good as well, but i have never really used it</p>
<p>The Cliffs review book is great.</p>
<p>K, thanks for the suggestions. Assuming everything goes well with my G.C., I think my friend and I are going to try it.</p>
<p>you do not need an intro class for ap bio. at my school everyone, including myself, took ap bio without any prior knowledge of biology and we did well.</p>
<p>I used both Barron's and Cliff's for my SAT II bio test. I hardly ever used Cliff's, though (probably because the Cliff's book was for AP bio). Barron's goes into a lot of detail that gets a bit tedious at times, but it's really good for bio.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm hearing Cliff's is good for bio...</p>
<p>But do you think reading the Gate book I mentioned be a sufficient prep. for AP Bio (class)?</p>
<p>It's always patronizing to a younger person by offering "age-related" advice.</p>
<p>But, I've got to say it :(</p>
<p>Zachsta, you've got to learn how to learn randomly. AP Biology is a class that really does not require any prerequisites.</p>
<p>If you feel that you have to have SOME background for the class though, then learn some basic chemistry. It will help you more than basic biology.</p>
<p>My friend and I, along with another friend, are now registered for AP Bio (as far as I know...). :)</p>
<p>For the most part, AP biology is the comprehension, of what seems to me, as an infinite list of terms. By no means do you have to endure an entire year of preparation; its futile. I took AP biology this year without any backround or prerequisite courses and sought success. On a different note, in juxtaposition to all of my other AP's, I did have substantial homework in that class; sure I had a lot of homework in other AP's, but biology certainly was time consuming. I mean, it depends on your teacher--and their most certainly is a lot of information. All in all, yes--you should definately "drop" the prepatory segment, and move onto AP. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Thanks--from what I hear from others, the only homework in the class is reading. The teacher treats it like a college course in which she can assess whether or not we've read through tons of tests and pop quizzes. But I'm up for it. :)</p>