Math and Science AP Self-Study

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
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<p>Hey guys, I've been on CC for around a year now. I first stumbled on this forum when I was looking for prep book advice for AP Chemistry, but I did not join until after I took the exam. Since this is CC and really obscure notions come up, I found out about the AP Siemens Award (For those of you who don't know what this is, Siemens</a> Foundation - Advanced Placement) and decided to go for it. Basically, I ended up murdering myself this past year studying for all these math and science APs; if you're curious whether or not I received it, I don't know either until way later this year. After seeing all these threads on self-studying for math and science APs, I decided to write a basic summary and impression of each portion for these APs along with formal textbook and prep book suggestions. For your info though, if you want to do well, a lot of hard work is required on your part. I also highly advise you to look at past Free Response Questions – available on ::</a> College Planning Made Easy | Inside Source for College Admissions Requirements – and if possible, past Multiple Choice questions.</p>

<p>For reference, I took the following APs and received all 5's [Note: S means self-study]: Biology [S], Calculus BC, Chemistry [S], Computer Science AB [S], Environmental Science [S], Physics C: Mechanics [S], Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism [S], Statistics [S], English Language and Composition, United States History, European History, Computer Science A, and Physics B [S].</p>

<p>Moving on...</p>

<p>Format: AP Subject (textbook suggestion, prepbook suggestion)</p>

<p>Biology (Biology by Campbell, Cliff Note's AP Biology)
Summary: Highly memorization-based. Understand and do labs if you can.
Multiple Choice: It's a really straightforward “do you know it”-type questions. The fact that there are 100 questions is daunting, but trust me, it will breeze by.
Free Response: Basically, you regurgitate to the readers all you know about the pertaining subject while answering the question. For lab questions, you have to know, or it is extremely hard to answer.</p>

<p>Calculus AB/BC (Calculus by Stewart, n/a)</p>

<p>I don't think I can give anything valid here because I found the test not difficult. If you have any questions regarding this one though, ask. :)</p>

<p>Chemistry (Chemistry: The Central Science by Brown, Peterson's AP Chemistry)
Summary: Conceptual-based with relatively-easy math.
Multiple Choice: Some are straight “do you know it” questions. Others really test you on concepts. A few require numerical calculations that are easy if you know the equations.
Free Response: The first three sets are essentially practice chemistry problems that test whether or not you know certain 'rules' and what equation to use in the given scenario. The last three sets are conceptual-based (aka the infamous equation and questions portion and labs).</p>

<p>Computer Science A/AB (n/a, Barron's AP Computer Science A/AB)</p>

<p>Due to prior programming knowledge, I can't comment validly on this test. But I want to warn people who do not have prior programming experience that it is difficult.</p>

<p>Environmental Science (n/a, REA's + Barron's)
Summary: Memorization-based
Multiple Choice: Similar to biology.
Free Response: Some questions have basic stoichiometry questions. The rest are fairly easy if you know the topics they ask for; this is a lot easier if you keep up with recent news.</p>

<p>Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics by Serway, AP Advantage's AP Physics)
Summary: Conceptual and math-based.
Multiple Choice: Around half concept while other half is math. Check your time and double-check.
Free Response: The physics FR really tests whether or not you can apply physics concept and obtain the correct mathematical answer.</p>

<p>Statistics (Practice of Statistics by Yates, Barron's AP Statistics)
Summary: Memorization and math-based.
Multiple Choice: Mostly math questions. There are a few memorization questions (aka concerning properties of certain distributions, etc.)
Free Response: The first few questions will ask you some concept-based (how to detect bias, etc.) and memorization-based questions (aka definitions, etc.). After that, it is a fight to see if you can interpret the problems correctly and apply the correct tests.</p>

<p>I think this post is a bit vague, but it is intended to sort of act as a summary: if I fail in this, I'm sorry. :(</p>

<p>If you guys have any questions, feel free to post. I'll try to answer them the best way I can. :D</p>

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<p>WOW. Thanks! How did you get a 5 on European History? I'm going to self-study it.</p>

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<p>What state are you from?</p>

<p>And btw...you're insane...</p>

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<p>And btw...you're insane...</p>

<p>I do agree with all the prep books/textbooks you mentioned though (maybe PR for Chem tho).</p>

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<p>wow good job! Haha I was kind of mad when I found out that physics B was not on that list. Well it doesn't matter I ended up getting a 4, not a 5.</p>

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<p>


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<p>I live in California.</p>

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<p>Thanks shadowing! I really appreciate it.</p>

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<p>
[QUOTE]
I live in California.

[/QUOTE]
</p>

<p>Ah...that could explain the insaneness...</p>

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<p>Oh man, you may be insane, but gosh, your determination is so admirable! I wish I could have the self-discipline to force myself to self-study for so many AP tests (and get such high scores!). But also, if so many of your science APs were self-studied, what sort of classes did you have in school?</p>

<p>And I was wondering, since my school is very small and scheduling is always a really big problem, how much normal classes help prepare for AP tests. For instance, AP statistics isn't offered at my school, though a normal Statistics class is. Same with biology. And also, AP Physics is offered at my school, but it's AP Physics B. Would that help prepare at all for Physics C?</p>

<p>Thanks! (:</p>

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<p>Within my school, the following math and science courses are offered: AP Biology, AP Calc BC, AP Chemistry [first time offered next year], and AP Physics C: Mechanics. For Physics C: Mechanics and Chemistry, I studied for these concurrently with the Honors class I was in; however, I did self-study a majority of the material as my honors class DID NOT cover most of it. In addition, for Comp Sci, I lucked out and took a Comp Sci A course before it was canceled in freshmen year. In sophomore year, I basically studied a bit more to take AB. The rest I did study on my own.</p>

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<p>In my honest opinion, AP classes are more in-depth version of normal classes. Normal classes help in establishing the general concepts and ideas of the material. AP classes tend to go more in-depth and teach you why, etc. If you are taking a normal class and want to study for the AP equivalent, my advice is to do what I did: grab a prep book and cover what is on the exam that isn't covered in your class. As you can read from above, this is essentially what I did for Chemistry and Physics C: Mechanics.</p>

<p>For your Physics B question, think Physics B as an expanded version of your general Physics class with just more breadth. Physics C differs as it focuses completely on two parts of physics : Mechanics or E&M [Electricity and Magnetics]. In addition, C requires you to know a bit of calculus.</p>

<p>If what I said wasn't really clear, feel free to keep on questioning. :)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Biology (Biology by Campbell, Cliff Note's AP Biology)

[/quote]

Hmm, I saw for AP bio, alot of people suggested BARRON or Sparknotes. </p>

<p>which book is better for ap bio?. my teacher suggests cliffs...</p>

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<p>Quite honestly, every prep book is good depending on how you read and interpret it. From an objective point of view, the Barron's contains a lot of information; if you are willing to read through it, you are more than prepared. As for Sparknotes, I can not really comment as I have not seen it. Personally, I used Cliff Note's in the end. It contains the bare-minimum of what you need to know for the exam; as a result, you can't really skim it but have to really read and memorize it.</p>

<p>There is always the option of reading a textbook, or getting multiple books to really make sure.</p>

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<p>You are amazing! I don't think I could ever self-study so many APs.</p>

<p>I was considering self-studying for the first time this year, and I wanted to know how you self-studied biology. What sort of study schedule did you use when you studied biology?</p>

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<p>Hehehe... This is actually a bit funny to me because I had a pretty gung-ho schedule in studying that always got ruined. In particular, my bio schedule was the most grueling as Campbell book was very long. Basically, what I did to study bio was read and memorize a chapter a day; by memorize, I don't mean memorize word for word but memorize the basic gist of it. Of course, if you are going to self-study for one, I would spread the reading over the year instead of reading a chapter a day like I did.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice.</p>

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<p>I am in pursuit for the AP Siemens Award this year, except that I am self-studying all eight. Did you actually receive this award?</p>