Self-Study Econ

<p>How easy would it be to self-study micro and/or macro econ?</p>

<p>I am actually wondering the same thing considering my AP courses are ending in about a month for the first semester, and there are no AP courses offered second semester at my school. </p>

<p>Would a prep book be enough (that is what I am doing for self-study of Human Geography about a month before the exam)? Or are textbooks needed?</p>

<p>Hope we both get reasonable answers!</p>

<p>I want to study</p>

<p>Bump!!! Someone should answer this question who has self-studied macro and micro economics. Two others and myself need it!</p>

<p>:P</p>

<p>Get a textbook, memorize some graphs, formulas and concepts, and you're set. In terms of difficulty, I'd say fairly easy, maybe easier than the AP histories, much easier than AP sciences.</p>

<p>thank you!! any others? I would also appreciate advice on this!!!</p>

<p>I read the first 50 pages of Barrons book in the middle of the year, I think I spent 2 days.
I read Macroeconomics by Oliver Blanchard the 3 days before the test along with the first 200 pages of the wealth of nations.</p>

<p>I ended up with two 4's, and thought the MC was easier. I didnt know there were essays on it.</p>

<p>The Wealth of Nations was written in 1776. Does it still hold any modern relevance to modern macro and micro economic theory? I don't know this as I have not studied economics yet. </p>

<p>The Wealth of Nations seems pretty interesting, however, after reading a few pages of it. I may go through it a bit.</p>

<p>The short answer is not for the test, and for modern econ, probably not that much either. And a lot of it is boring. If you are going to read it, I suggest you look up the British money system, what a shilling and a pence (I think called those) are worth so it makes more sense. Theres 5 books in 1 at least on my edition.</p>

<p>Get a good textbook and you should be fine. I took them in school but could have probably self studied.</p>

<p>FOr Micro I reccomed Microeconmics by Paul Krugman and for MacroI suggest Macroeconomics by Alan Blinder.</p>

<p>Bump bump **</p>

<p>In my opinion, review books outperform textbooks when you don't want to spend as many study hours.</p>

<p>If you want a textbook I can suggest you one.
But really, the only way a textbook helps for this class is if you read alot in detail. Its better if you go buy 1-2 prep guides, and master them.
O and stress on graphs, and free-response.
Read Naked Economics, by Charles Wheelan
It's a small, novel-like book, which introduces you to many of the key concepts for econ.
Then go into the prep guides.</p>

<p>I agree with banned UBER... all I plan to do is study Barrons</p>

<p>sooooooooo many ppl get 5's using only barron's/princeton review weeks before the exam. The books are very small and skinny, especially for the economics ap's.</p>

<p>bump....</p>

<p>I have the option of taking the micro OR macro OR both tests, mostly self study, since the class at my school is in its first year</p>

<p>Question: considering I'm willing to put a fair amount of time studying for the tests, which one will most likely yield a higher grade? Is one harder than the other, or is there a really good chance for a 5 on both with considerable studying with One review book??</p>

<p>Question 2: I've heard that Princeton Review is one of the best AP Econ review books out there. Can anyone in CC validate this claim???</p>

<p>it is, along with Barrons.</p>

<p>Last year, I remember being in the position of you guys and trying to figure out these questions of best prep book, difficulty, yada yada.</p>

<p>My story is: I read like the first four chapters and chapters 20 - 25 of the actual Economics textbook used in AP courses (by McConnell). I gave up on the textbook in around January.......i resumed studying in April, but this time, with review books! </p>

<p>REVIEW BOOKS:</p>

<p>Barrons - Hmmm, if you are entirely new to eco., do not forget to read this cover to cover as many times as you can; I mean, its already so thin of a book, and on my personal rating, contains 90% of the material you need to know for the micro test, and 80% for the macro test. </p>

<p>Princeton - What can I say....perfectly concise again! It covers EVERYTHING you need to know for the macro test, not so much for micro. The practise tests in this book are LIKE the real test (in terms of difficulty). Don't use Barron's for the practise!!!!!!</p>

<p>HOW YOU SHOULD STUDY (if you are starting or a close to starting right now):</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Buy the following (i know hefty, but worth it): Barron's, Princeton Review, and the two released exams for both subjects (you teacher might have the latter two)</p></li>
<li><p>Begin by reading the first SIX chapters of the Barron's book; if I were you, I would go and borrow the McConnell economics book and read its first 5 chapters, and chapters 20 - 25 (well, at least skim it, makes a LOT of difference)</p></li>
<li><p>Study macro first (i consider it easier....) - so, read the barron's macro section, and then read the princeton's review of macro (over and over again....its concise but complete) - I never read the McConnell textbook, since I never felt the need. Please be ready to use some common sense on the exam though if you decide not to even skim the textbook (I had to, haha)</p></li>
<li><p>The hard one for me was micro - so, go talk to any of your social studies teachers (they probably took at least Eco. 101 in college, or may just refer you to someone who did) and ask them to explain: basic eco. concepts of supply, demand, taxation, market structures, labor markets, and government intervention. Trust me - I only went ONCE, and i think it helped me immensely. Then, read the Barron's micro sections (dry and boring as usual.....); unless you understand it, read it again (its not long at all). Top the prep off with scanning the princeton review book.</p></li>
<li><p>Take practise tests (duh)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I got 5s on both exams btw..... :-D</p>

<p>this guy is my savior ...
I just received McConnells in the mail. I'll folow your method, and read chp 1-5, 20-25.
I just bought barrons and PR like 30 min ago (before reading this thread), and makes me feel I made a good decision lol.
I've only taken 1 practice test, and a couple Free-Response Questions.</p>

<p>best of luck....</p>