Is it really hard to get a 5 on AP Bio?

<p>Hi, I am a junior taking AP Bio.</p>

<p>I viewed the stats that show what percentage of students got certain scores.</p>

<p>I realized that AP BIo had one of the lowest percentages of students who got a 5. Does that mean that it is unlikely for many students to get a 5 on those two? </p>

<p>I got a 4 my first time taking AP exam in my sophomore year. I was pretty depressed but I got over it because I never put in my best effort for studying for the exam and it was one of the exams that the least amount of students got a 5 on. </p>

<p>I really want to get a 5 on AP Bio. But AP Bio class at our school is really harsh because the teachers really strict. I am still keeping up and understanding the concepts. I do well on the prep exams. </p>

<p>For people who got 5's on AP BIO exam last year, what are your tips?</p>

<p>bump bump!!!</p>

<p>Don’t try to memorize, try to understand and apply.
5.4% got 5 last year.</p>

<p>Lowest "5"s percentage of any AP test last year (and I got one, yay!) It really is not that difficult. The test is more about critical reading and understanding. Make sure when studying that you focus on the “big ideas” Which can be found on collegeboard. It is a guarantee that most of the big ideas will be found in the free responses, which are weighted heavily towards your final score. And also make sure you known the math calculations. It’s an easy 6 points on the mc if you know them, and there will probably be a free response involving the math also. Good luck!</p>

<p>^Yeah, I agree with satman1111. I got a 5 on the exam last year, and it wasn’t too hard for me since it focused more on testing critical thinking than memorized facts. I used the CliffsNotes AP Biology book to review, and it served me well. Good luck. :)</p>

<p>Dude, if you read that big freakin Campbell book and take good notes like I had to, you can get a 5. I didn’t take the AP Test last year, but my teacher gave us a practice test, and I got around 88% of it right. Just got to put in work just like all the other AP courses.</p>

<p>@inifinityForte:</p>

<p>Which edition CliffsNotes did you use? Is fourth the new one? Should I wait for the fifth edition… that is… if they come up with it soon? Thanks.</p>

<p>My biggest tip is to use review books. I was enrolled in our school’s AP Biology class last year. We took so many notes and read a big text book, but what helped me the most was the Cliffnotes ebook that I downloaded. I read that over (in addition to in-class review) and managed to get a 5. Side note: I did not feel prepared heading in, but ended up getting a 5, so it’s certainly possible.</p>

<p>uhhh guys i was just wondering…ive been self studying ap bio for a few months now… and i thought i was failing miserably and was on the verge of giving up, but i tried solving all the multiple choice practice questions that college board has (like the huge 200 pg pdf file u can download), and i actually didnt do that bad!!! are the practice questions on cb just super easy, or might i actually have a chance??? thanks… so much</p>

<p>@yunatoronto if you used the the “exam practice” thing on college board i would say that it is about as close as you can get to your actual test, since they are the tests of the last years (or if you tested your free response question skills from last year). If you found the questions easy you are on the right track, so just keep going!</p>

<p>I am self-studying as well so i understand what you are thinking. It is hard to know where you stand if you don’t have anyone to help you see where you still need work or in which section you know everything that there is to know and understand what you need to understand. Just keep on going and sit that test. Be honest, the most “horrible” thing that can happen is that you really couldn’t prepare yourself as well as you had hoped and not get the grade that you wanted. But that isn’t the end of the world, you could always take the test again next year if you would really fail (which honestly i don’t think you would if you really prepare yourself with reading a book and go through a review prep-book).</p>

<p>Any tips for last minute cramming? What topics should I focus on? </p>