<p>I'm planning on self studying biology ap this year.
So far, i've heard that Campbell&Reece+Cliffsap is the way to go.</p>
<p>However, has anyone used the textbook: Biology by Sylvia S. Mader?</p>
<p>Any opinions on either textbook?</p>
<p>My class used that book by Sylvia S. Mader. We had the 8th edition and I can say it sucks. The explanations are unclear, the diagrams aren't that great, and there are way too many grammar mistakes (not like it matters in a biology textbook, but it says something about the kind of book it is). Don't use that one for sure.</p>
<p>wow. thank a bunch :)</p>
<p>Starr/Taggart Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life. Its a typical thick textbook with the usual heaps of information. Thats why god wrote Cliffs AP. The textbook has a great online study website which is professionaly made. Not just some kid with html. The whole book is online in PDF and MP3 format. Every chapter has an online quiz, which highlights concepts for you to learn in red. You can then click on each concept and see a flash video with narration. Finally when you have studied some more, you can take a final test. </p>
<p>Seeing as though you are self-studying Biology, you might find the structure of Reading->Quiz->Animations->Test quite helpful.</p>
<p>Campbell is the best book ever. It's my personal bible. Yeah.</p>
<p>Cliffs AP is the best test prep book for bio?</p>
<p>2nd vote for campbell.</p>
<p>Use the Campbell Reece book and get the Barron's review book.</p>
<p>We used Campbell in my AP Bio class. Some of the chapters were really detailed, but overall it explains the main topics really well. I also think CliffsAP is the way to go. Barron's sucks; seriously the book is unorganized and the practice tests ask questions that are irrelevant: for example, one question asked about what measurement you use to measure a cell...</p>
<p>Yeah, I'd also vote for Campbell. I had to teach myself a lot from the book and felt like it prepared me well for the exam. It has some really great diagrams too.</p>
<p>Campbell is a bit excessive. If you memorize that book, not only will you get everything right on the AP exam, you will easily get on the USABO. </p>
<p>I used the Audesirk book, and it had waaay more info than was on the AP test, but it was like, half as much as Campbell. If you get the Campbell, you will tear your hair out because it is so much information.</p>
<p>Doesn't Campbell basically have a monopoly on the AP Bio textbook trade? </p>
<p>But yes, I do agree with the post above. There is WAYY too much stuff in Campbell - you definitely don't need all that for AP Bio. If you really just want to just get a 5 on AP Bio, you really only need Cliff Notes. lol. Several people I know just read through it and they got 5s on AP Bio.</p>
<p>If you are planning on self-studying, you can consider getting Campbell and Cliff Notes. Use Cliff Notes generally, but supplement that with Campbell for the chapters that Cliff Notes is more brief on (DO NOT use Campbell for stuff like Photosynthesis, Mitosis, or Meiosis though - Campbell goes into wayyy too much detail). Use Campbell for explantations in different taxonomy groups (Cliff Notes is regrettably too brief in this section) and reference in prepping for essays. </p>
<p>If you think there's still too much info in Campbell or don't want to spend money in getting a Campbell text, you can consider getting the Study Guide for Campbell's Biology. It's basically a 400 page summary of the text and contains great multiple choice review questions too! Towards the end of the year, I focused on that primarily and started using it as my text.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, Cliffs is very good. But, my advice, is to use cliffs to find the topics needed, and then use a text (like Audesirk) to actually read about them. And remember, skimming is key. Honestly, you don't need to know everything for a 5. I took the class, got an A, and did not study at all for the test. I got probably 85% on the test, and you only need 57-59% to get a 5.</p>
<p>Campbell!!!!!! I actually liked the Barrons AP book better than Cliffs o.O oh well, whatever works right~</p>