How to study for the AP Exam if you didn't take the AP class?

<p>Hello my name is Tyler and I am homeschooled. Well I go to an accredited online virtual high school that is a division of an independent study school in my district. I am taking some community college classes to supplement my academic work. Since my school does not offer AP Biology and I can't take it at another virtual school since colleges don't approve of online lab science courses, I am taking the equivalent of that at my local CC which is Biology 3: Introduction to Biology. I plan on taking the AP Exam in Biology to supplement my CC class. How would I study for the AP Exam if I didn't take an official AP Biology class? Do most CC classes that are equivalent to AP Courses prepare you for the AP Exam in general?</p>

<p>Can someone please help me with this?</p>

<p>Hi Tyler,</p>

<p>You’ll want to get the corresponding AP guide and see what topics aren’t covered in the CC classes.</p>

<p>My son took 4 AP exams that corresponded with his CC classes (Physics C-both exams, Calc B/C, and Stats), and the Physics B exam which corresponded with a yearlong audited physics course at a local univ.</p>

<p>He didn’t study too much for all the physics exams as he was particularly strong in physics but he needed to do some prep work using Thinkwell for the B/C exam and I forget what free study videos he used for the stats exam.</p>

<p>Check out College Board, specifically for AP to see what each test will cover. Also, take a look at what review books in the AP section of this Board is recommended in the AP section. I self-studied AP English Language and Composition after a great composition class (not an AP class) and scored a 5 with extra review work.</p>

<p>What other AP Classes did your son take and what colleges did he get into? And did he score well on the AP Exams?</p>

<p>My son only took one AP class, AP Lit, taught to a group of homeschoolers, and he scored a 4. That didn’t help him as he needed a 5 to test out of the freshman writing class. He got 5s on Calc B/C, Stats,Physics B, and Physics C Mechanics, and 4s on Physics C E&M and Lit. A little studying would have helped him on the E&M! But he had around 55-60 units of community college under his belt, so we didn’t focus on AP exams.</p>

<p>He got into MIT, Princeton, U Penn, Caltech, Harvey Mudd, Vanderbilt, WUSTL, UTD, Pitt, and Baylor. He attends MIT.</p>

<p>Here is the link to the College Board AP Biology site
[AP</a> Central - AP Biology Course Home Page](<a href=“Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board”>AP Biology Course – AP Central | College Board)</p>

<p>Most helpful on the site is the link for the course and exam description which includes 40 multiple choice questions as well as short answer questions
<a href=“http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/IN120084785_BiologyCED_Effective_Fall_2012_Revised_lkd.pdf[/url]”>http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/IN120084785_BiologyCED_Effective_Fall_2012_Revised_lkd.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Finally, if you eliminate the topics that are no longer tested, previously released exams are great practice
[AP</a> Central - The Biology Exam Content](<a href=“Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board”>AP Biology Exam – AP Central | College Board)</p>

<p>You can absolutely self study and be successful. The key is lots of practice.</p>

<p>Best Of Luck!</p>

<p>sbjdorlo, congratulations on your son’s achievements! That is simply amazing. I would really appreciate it if you could please tell us anything else worth mentioning! (sat’s, EC’s etc)</p>

<p>Also prep books are wonders in aid as well</p>