<p>So, I took a Sparknotes practice test and got a 620. I have only studied honors bio (last year) and am not sure if I am going to take AP so I thought I would go ahead and take the subject test as to not forget all the information. My question is: for someone who got a 620 on the Sparknotes (and about the same thing on a college board one) what would be the best method for getting an 800? I've heard Kaplan is good but has a lot of details. Are those necessary for an 800, and how are the tests? How is sparknotes review and how accurate are those tests? Do you think that Kaplan and Sparknotes could get me an 800, or should I get Princeton Review to help clarify?</p>
<p>In other words, with Kaplan and Sparknotes, do I really need Princeton to summaraize and provide the more broad sample questions or would I be okay (remember, I'm going for 800.) What do you think?</p>
<p>If you plan on taking the test May 5th, then nothing will do it. If you are taking it July 2nd I suggest:
1) Read your entire BIO book
2) Buy AP BIO, same as SAT II book, but more detail
3) Buy Barron's BIO 2007
4) Buy PR or REA SAT II BIo</p>
<p>If you are SERIOUS about getting an 800, then that MUST be done. If you have any qualms or doubts, then don't expect an 800. (coming from an 800 bio-m scorer.)</p>
<p>Well... I'd say that I'm taking it possibly in October. Alright, I'll read my Bio book. I don't want to get caught up in too many uneccesary details and don't think that I'll buy an ap book, because of some completly unecessary stuff, most of which is covered in SAT II books. Are you sure that I need Barron's, cause I've heard that a third of that book is NEVER on the test. Did you use Kaplan, because people says its thorough but not too thorough, or sparknotes?</p>
<p>I have Kaplan's AP and SAT II. I did them both. They are the exact same thing. They are seriously word for word of each other, except AP has a bit more here and there and 12 labs. The thing with BIO is that there is so much info that they can test you on you need to know exorbant details. Although a 3rd may never be on it, some of it is, and other prep books won't cover it. If you want a 700-750 don't do it, but if you want an 800 loads of unnecessary info will need to be learned.</p>
<p>It honestly depends on how good you are at bio and how good you are at memorization. I took honors bio as a sophomore, and less than half of AP bio (as a senior), and I used Kaplan to help prepare and I got an 800.</p>
<p>I think what 1MX says is excessive, though it will pretty much guarantee an 800. You don't need to memorize loads of unnecessary information to get an 800, but you need to know the material well and be able to make connections... in other words, if you don't directly know the answer to a question, you should be able to figure it out based on other knowledge you have.</p>
<p>I agree with GoldShadow that the method set forth by 1MX, while a bit excessive, but again should guarantee a perfect score. personally I'd say the amount you need to review is really based on what you remember. In the same situation my freshman year, I ended up taking the test just in case I didn't take AP, for the same reasons, without any prep, and ended up with a 760 (I am currently taking AP and will re-take on May 5th). But a good way to judge your weak areas, is by taking the free AP diagnostic on sparknotes. It analyzes your results and allows you to focus on your trouble sections. Definitely read your book if you have time, but if not focus on the sections that need work. Hope this helps, and good luck</p>