Hello,
I wanted to know if anyone has been able to self-study for the AP Biology exam and earn a 4 or 5? I am trying to self-study right now. Any advice and stories would be appreciated! Thank you!
I think anyone can get a 5 if they read Campbell closely enough…
@Paramecium Is that a textbook? I don’t have it. Do you think I should get it? Thank you.
Yeah it’s probably one of the best Bio textbooks. If you want it, get the 8th or 9th edition, it’ll be cheaper and has basically the same stuff as the 10th and 11th ones
If you don’t mind me asking, aren’t textbooks just kind of general and dull? Unless, is there something really unique and special about this one? I just have had odd experiences in the past…
They may be dull, but they will teach you the stuff you need to know. If I remember correctly not everything in the book is on the exam, so you don’t have to read the whole thing and you can make a schedule so you don’t get too bored by the textbook. It sucks, but most of AP Biology is really dry, but getting the credit is worth it so you don’t have to take it again in college.
Well, imo you should only self study a subject that you’re interested in. Otherwise, you’re probably not going to prepare enough for the exam. But cell bio and anatomy are the interesting parts in the textbook (at least for me).
Also just skip the chapters on evolution of plants (you still need evolution and plant anatomy, just not how plants colonized land, plant diversity, etc) and stuff…its not worth it
Yes, I am interested in the subject. Do any of you guys know if there are math related on the exam still? For example the chi square? I think that’s what it’s called.
Since biodiversity is tested, you might need to know Simpson’s index and Shannon’s Index
I forgot to mention I can study about 5-7 hours a day because my schedule in school is not as tough. I also get out pretty early. So do you guys think I can pull of a 4 or 5 in the 3 months I have left? Thank you.
b please read last post
Self-studying for AP Bio is doable in three months if you are disciplined. However, it won’t be as easy as you (seem to) think, because unless you are super excited about and dedicated to anything and everything AP Bio-related, it will be difficult to sustain a level of attention sufficient enough to actually retain any information, especially if you plan on doing it for 5-7 hours a day (Which is insane. You won’t keep that up. If you do, please inform me: I may need to report you to the government so your brain can be dissected to benefit the human race.).
Self-study something you are interested in. If you can’t fit AP Bio into your schedule, and you still really really want to take it, and are genuinely interested in it, yeah go for it. Take it more seriously than any regular AP, though. If you don’t understand something, you will have to teach yourself. You will have to quiz yourself on things at the denouement of every section. Etc.
P.S.: Try to cap yourself at 4 hours a day. Past that, combined with your regular homework (I assume you are taking APs this year, if you feel you are motivated enough to self-study for Bio), the workload will have accreted to the point where by the time you get to actually studying Bio, you will just be indolently moving your eyes over dry text and not absorbing anything.
@mohammadmohd18 Haha, unfortunately I have left out some key things about my schedule this year. Basically, this year I am not taking any other APs, and I don’t get that much work from my other classes. I love biology, and I want to major in it. I am immensely dedicated to it. So I really hope I can pull off a 4 or 5. What do you think? Anyone else have any other advice?
In that case: do it.
It depends on how much you already know.