<p>C & R: Campbell and Reece.</p>
<p>@Mansu:</p>
<p>EL likes Purves.
Iāve read through Ravenās Biology, and itās roughly the same as Campbell and Reeceās Biology. Just donāt get the 9th version of Ravenās - a few copyedit errors made it into the final version. (7th, 8th should be fine.)*</p>
<p>*I donāt actually know what errors - I read the 8e. But FY says thereās some in the biochem section, and FY is a biochem god.</p>
<p>@NightShadeQueen: How do you know about all of this stuff? Are you still in high school? Iām amazed by your wealth of information on biology textbooks; I canāt imagine how much you actually know about biology. o-o</p>
<p>@astults13</p>
<p>Iām not in HS anymore. Iām a frosh at MIT.</p>
<p>I was a silver medalist in 2010, and 7th place at IBO in 2011.</p>
<p>Now Iāve crossed to the dark side and I write questions for USABO now. 
I was also a camp TA in 2012.</p>
<p>@Opinion</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not bad :D</p>
<p>And itās not 10% anymore (for # of people who make semis). Thereās a hard cap too, I donāt remember what it is, but less than 10% make semis nowadays.</p>
<p>@Nightshade Yes I actually Iām privileged with a decent public university library thank you for the recommendation I will definitely check it out 
and any tips on how to become stronger on labs? I know I can become quite strong with the theoretical aspect like anyone can be with appropriate studying and love however, Iām not quite sure where to get practice for labs any suggestions?</p>
<p>@Polish</p>
<p>How close do you live to this university? If itās really close, email biology professors, asking for a research position?</p>
<p>Offer to do it unpaid - they may pay you anyways, but from my experience, HS volunteers are very desired by professors. (Then again, I was in an organic chem lab :D)</p>
<p>Thereās also some sort of national organization that helps HSāers get experience in bio labs. RS mentioned it once but I donāt remember details. Iāll email her about it and get back to yāall.</p>
<p>@Nightshade Thank you so much for all of your support for the new generation of high school biology and science learners haha :)</p>
<p>@Nightshadequeen Thanks for all your help, I wonder what motivates you to help us out even though you are in college now.</p>
<p>What is the difference between the Raven Biology of Plants (International Edition) and the regular one?</p>
<p>How to do approach the reading & studying Campbell Biology or equivalent textbooks?<br>
I know that most of you read the bio textbooks for fun but you have your own ways to approach those textbooksā¦will you be kind enough to tell methods and strategies & tips of yours?</p>
<p>Also what does EL stands for (I feel really dumbā¦)?</p>
<p>@Mansu007</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Ah, sorry. Iām referring to people I know by their initials.</p>
<p>@hjs876959</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I tested out.</p>
<p>@bereniceabbott</p>
<p>I doubt thereās much of a difference. Probably just renumbered the problems.</p>
<p>(thatās the sole difference between the international edition chem textbook I have and the US edition.)</p>
<p>^ The difference for my 8th edition Campbell is that mine is paperback and the US version is hardcover (I believe).</p>
<p>I apologize for asking the question again but how do you read the thick bio textbook like C&R Biology? Will you tell some of your approaches and strategies?</p>
<p>A new USABO thread! Awesome!
Hi NSQ!!! :D</p>
<p>@Mansu:
You could try quizzing yourself on charts, diagrams, etc. on each chapter, doing the chapter assessments (although, theyāre probably too easy for USABO questions), and reading through the chapter until you can define all the words and explain each concept.
But. Yeah, I think NSQ should answer youāre question, because sheās really smart, has a lot of experience with USABO, and very organized. And awesome. And perfect.</p>
<p>Just curious, what grade are you in, and how far have you gotten in Campbell?
Haha, Iāll be a freshman next year, and Iām on Ch. 8 right now,
but I kind of just skimmed the āMembrane Structure and Functionā chapter. As well as many others XD Maybe we could help each other out!</p>
<p>I am an upcoming seniorā¦it is not too late, right? </p>
<p>In C&R Biology, I am in Chp.12 - The Cell Cycle. Many USABO people say that memorizing Campbell Biology is really necessary, but I do not know how to spell the whole textbook by word to word and illustrations to illustrations. I only memorized essential concepts, terms, and diagramsā¦</p>
<p>Mansu:
If itās before college, itās never too late 
By the way, have you taken AP Biology?
That should help a little bit, especially if your class used the C&R Biology textbook.
I plan on just reading through all the chapters this summer (a chapter a day) and keep on reading it until I understand more. Itās basically memorizing through repetition.
As long as you could explain a chapter to someone who doesnāt know much biology, you should be ready for the next chapter, I think.
Also, NSQās notes are very, very helpful. I think itās on pg. 7 of the USABO 2012 threadā¦</p>
<p>What are the exact dates of the USABO Open/Semi Exams next year?</p>
<p>@Mansu:</p>
<p>I didnāt know what USABO was until Semis my junior year (the first year I qualified for camp.)</p>
<p>ā¦my school makes everyone take the Open and I thought it was some school-quality test.</p>
<p>Soā¦yeah, itās definitely not too late.</p>
<p>Also re: studying. Study the way you study best is sadly the only advice I can give. </p>
<p>@bereniceabbott</p>
<p>Iā¦actually donāt know, but Iām pretty sure the Open and Semis have a range of times schools are allowed to give them.</p>
<p>(I apologize for my lack of grammar. Too much coffee, too little sleep :D)</p>
<p>Thank you very much!! So much helpful and optimistic advice!</p>
<p>How come CEE do not release official Semi-Final and USABO exams? I searched numerous websites and bookstores but I was able to only download Open Examsā¦</p>
<p>Also is it possible to make a natural blood in laboratory? I was wondering because I know that synthesizing the artificial blood is possible but its components are not close with the natural blood circulating throughout our body. And why does immune system rejects the blood transfusion?</p>