<p>ok so all of you guys greatly recommend that book and say that if you pretty much memorize it you'll get a 5......however that seems to be very easier said than done because i tried understanding the respiration section and nothing would stick in my head.....and that's just 1/20 of the book....any suggestions???</p>
<p>just keep on reviewing the book i guess to try to best memorize it</p>
<p>but ya that book should be a textbook, no one can memorize it...</p>
<p>i'm going to use that book and use PR Bio as a review book for the Cliffs and Barrons Flashcards....</p>
<p>I really need to pass that exam.</p>
<p>Look online... there are some helpful animations; just google 'respiration animation' or something. Respiration seems to be one of the easier parts for me, because I can just kind of think through it. I'm just worried about remembering organismal biology with all the phyla.</p>
<p>Also, from what I have seen Barrons Bio and Cliffs Bio would prepare you about the same amount (I own both, though I have not read all of both books). This is the only case so far where I have seen that it seems that Barrons does not overprepare.</p>
<p>Just some words of wisdom from a previous AP Bio student...I got a 5 last year and 790 on the SAT II ;)</p>
<p>Don't get too worried about learning every single thing possible. If you can memorize all of Cliffs and be very comfortable with the material, then good for you - I did that and it helps. But I was pretty annoyed on the exam that there were no specifics, just concepts. Bio is HUGE, expect for there to only be a few questions from each section. After reading a section like respiration, just think to yourself, "If I were the test maker, what 3 questions would I make which would sum up this material and be tricky?". </p>
<p>As for respiration - draw diagrams. Try studying and comparing respiration with photosynthesis. Many test questions ask for you to compare the two pathways. Learn the major enzymes and reaction steps, don't worry about those crazy intermediate products, but do learn the importance of Carbon in each of the intermediate products. The pathways are cyclical for a reason, and if you can draw them out, devote the time etc, it's actually kind of cool to 'prove it' and see where each product goes. </p>
<p>Anyways, good luck - aim for breadth rather than depth if you're pushed for time.</p>
<p>CJM, what did u do for SATII prep?</p>
<p>I wouldn't call it memorization as much as understanding. The first step is to get the processes and forces involved in respiration (or any other topic covered in AP Biology), and that's the most important aspect. The second step is probably using the correct terminology, meaning knowing what those forces and processes are called, as well as the parts of the body you're describing. For example, if you're taking notes, then don't just define each term (what an alveolus is, what ventricle means) but rather relate it to everything else (ventricles receive blood from atria, and muscular walls push blood into arteries). Diagrams definitely help, as they help create maps in your head that you can reference while taking the test. For example, when I think of the heart I think of a small atrium that lets blood leak down into a ventricle that has thick, layered walls that represent its strength because it has to pump blood throughout the systemic and pulmonary circuits.</p>
<p>Also, I got an 800 on the SAT II Biology (molecular) and I felt extremely confident when I took the exam for two main reasons: I studied daily for months (I was a freshman and had nothing better to do), and I used a wide variety of sources. I only owned one book, the Kaplan book, but I was at Barnes and Noble every weekend reading through (and taking notes on) Barron's, REA, Princeton Review, etc. After a while I could go through a book and point out what material it was missing that I'd seen in other books, or remember phrases or sentences that explained a concept really well. So diversifying your resources definitely helps gain a sense of what's truly important and also ensures you understand the main concepts because many books will introduce, relate, explain, or diagram them differently. My preparation for the SAT II also helped me get a 5 on the AP a year later (without taking the class yet), and I didn't need much review because as soon as I reread some of the material I immediately remembered my mental visualizations.</p>
<p>Basically I'm saying the only way to truly guarantee a 5 on the AP or 800 on the SAT II is to fully understand - not just memorize - what you're learning. And you get that with consistent hard work and not using one book.</p>
<p>If you've already taken AP Bio and are taking the SAT II just before the AP, then stick with Cliffs.</p>
<p>If you are some sort of honors/regular student, then you could use Cliffs (good overprep), or just go for Barrons and Princeton Review. You probably shouldn't bother with any other books - McGraw Hill and REA were full of errors.</p>