Self-Studying APs: Improving Your App

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
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Hey everyone! I’m homeschooled/unschooled and I’m thinking of self-studying a couple of APs (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus) so I could take the tests next year.

I live in the middle of nowhere and wouldn’t be able to attend AP classes in a local high school. While online AP classes are too expensive.

Because of my situation, I have a some concerns and questions that I hope you could help me with:

1 - How many study guides/test preps/etc. should I use? How many did you use and, from your experience, which ones are good? And which ones are unhelpful and should be avoided?

2 - Having done some research, I saw that some of the study guides/test preps have ‘subject area reviews’/‘content reviews’. Will perusing those be enough for me to learn the material that will be on the test (plus free online resources: YouTube videos, SparkNotes, etc.) or should I try to get an AP-level textbook? If so, any recommendations?

3 - Any other resources that I should consider using to self-study? I know there are a lot of ‘recommended’ videos, free lessons/notes, etc. online–an overwhelming number, actually. Which ones are worth the time?

4 - How crucial are/were the labs that you performed in your AP classes in passing the test? I’ve done some high school science labs, but I doubt that they compare to the depth covered in an AP class. If doing these labs are important, is there a way that I could make up for missing out? Are there videos online? Or study guides that would discuss the labs?

5 - Even though it’s still a year a way, I would like to start self-studying now. Is it okay to use the 2016 study guides/test prep? Or does the material in the test varies greatly from year to year that I should wait for the 2017 editions?

I greatly appreciate any help or advice! Thank you in advance for your help!

<3 Lauren

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@annlauren I’ve noticed that you want to take all of the science aps and calc (I don’t know if you want to take ab/bc or both), which gives me the indication that you want to do something in the sciences. While this is doable, I personally think that this would be really hectic. Also, you need to have some variation, like include some history aps (AP World History is really amazing but sadly they are changing the curriculum. I don’t like APUSH because of personal reasons that makes me get upset because who wants to glorify america by removing “racism” SMH.) Let me tell you what I was told and what I experienced:

AP Biology: Somewhat easy class; you need to not only memorize but also relate the information you’ve learned to different topics (like evolution to genetics, or respiration and photosynthesis to ecology, etc). The thing that is putting you at an disadvantage is the lab portion (which is going to be the same for chem and phys). Bozeman Science can help you with the basics and any problems with bio-stat portion (like chi-square or the Hardy-Weinberg equation) but to be honest, with enough practice, it’s going to feel like algebra to you (in a good way :wink: ).

AP Chem: YOU NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED TO KNOW YOUR CHEM AND MATH (up to trig/alg II level) OR ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO BE REALLLLLLLLLY CONFUSED. Erhm, my chem teacher, who also teaches ap chem said that stoichiometry is like the indicator (no pun intended) to see whether or not you are capable for ap chem. There are logs, degrees, and other good stuff.

AP Phys (pretty ambiguous since you didn’t tell me which one do you want to take). Depending on which exam you are taking, it can either be hell or heaven.

AP Calc (same with ap phys, pretty ambiguous). AB is considered to be the easier version than BC, but people in my school get 5s despite the school having AB as an official class.

  1. I say you should rely on the library, the internet (especially there are pdf versions for these review books***), and maybe your friends for the books. Max: 2 books (+ textbook). Recommendations: for AP Bio get the AP Study Guide from Pearson, which is the abridged version of Campbell's (get either Campbell's 9th edition or Biology in Focus, the former is cheaper like on ebay and honestly it's better than barron's and cliffnotes imo). Also, get a textbook!!! (Ask a local school if you can borrow it or get it from ebay (make sure to see if they are real, like there was one with a binder LIKE WTF?). I got the textbook for like 40 dollars.

*** most of the science exams before 2015 (or 2013 for bio) have changed their curriculum, so if you want to get a book, check the consolidated book page here and/or do a little bit of research but make sure it is after those years. also, you don’t need to get the “updated” version, because most of the time it’s the old one, with one or two changes in the questions.

Review books: most of the time it would either be barron’s or princeton review. barron’s has a lot of information and princeton is concise. DON’T GET KAPLAN. JUST DON’T.

  1. like I said, get a textbook but you have to use it along with the study guide. also, check old exams or go to different hs webpages to find their midterms or something y'know. AP Bio textbook: Campbell's 9th edition/10th edition or Biology in Focus. AP Chem: Chemistry by Zumdahl or Chemistry by Brown.
  2. um, there are a lot of study guides that can be found here or if you type on google however some of these videos are going to be a bit confusing (esp. bozeman science), if you don't go in "chronological order".
  3. LABS IS A MUST. HS LABS ARE THE BASICS, SO IF YOU FORGOT SOMETHING, REVIEW IT! (emphasis on bio and chem, since the ap curriculum loves to revolve around it). AP Bio labs are a bit tiresome and you need to know some basic chemistry (like difference between bronsted-lowry acid and arrenhius acid) and how it determines whether or not if one organic molecule will deposit it.
  4. Nah, most of the companies want some $$$$$ because capitalism. Just like this year or 2015 year's version, but check on collegeboard on any curriculum changes because they don't want you to succeed. Also, expect to pay like 92 dollars per exam, just saying.

This is a very brief summary but if you need any in-depth info, you can private message me. On a final note, make sure you keep your mental state of health your first priority because stress will want you to flip dem tables.

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@darkcrescendo Thank you so, so much for replying! You were very helpful. :slight_smile:

I’m planning to take up Chemical Engineering (BioTech focus) in college, hence all the science APs.

Your reply pretty much answered my questions and addressed my concerns, but I have a few more. (I hope you don’t mind.)

–

You mentioned the changes in the AP curriculum and/or exam.

I have my stepbrother’s old (2010 - 2014) AP study guides/test preps (PR, Barron’s, 5 Steps to a 5). Are they still somewhat useful, or should I throw them away? Do I have to cross-check what’s on the study guides/test preps with the current AP (Subject) Course and Exam Description (which is rather long at 177 pages!) to see if they’re still relevant?

I also have Campbell’s Biology, Zumdahl’s Chemistry, Stewart’s Early Transcendentals, Segway’s Physics for Scientists and Engineers (AP Physics C), but they’re an edition or two older. Use or chuck? (If use, please don’t tell me that I have to read every single word of the 1000+ pages!)

There are released/practice AP exams online (on CB and other websites), but some are really old:1969-1998 AP Calculus MCQs! AP Physics FRQs from the '80s! The odd thing is that these were compiled as late as the 2000s (I’m assuming, based on the copyright date) does that mean they’re still okay to use?

I understand that basic concepts are most likely still the same, but will these be helpful or just a waste of time? I was thinking of using the more current practice exams on CB, then answering the older ones just to master the concepts. Or has the curriculum changed so much that I would be doing myself a disservice?

–

Re: labs - I’ve browsed through CB’s AP Lab Manuals. Seems comprehensive, will perusing (and obviously, understanding) these suffice? I’m thinking of doing a few of them as well.

Re: Calculus/Physics level - I’m aiming for BC and C. But I’ll take it one step at a time. I’m thinking of browsing through the textbooks and study guides/test preps and if I understand AB and 1&2, I’ll take it up a notch and go for BC and C. Hopefully that’s not a foolish way to go about things. :slight_smile:

Re: variation - Yes, I’ll most likely take one of the English and History APs.

Re: mental state of health as first priority - Always. :slight_smile: It probably sounds crazy taking on all of these–but I’m not doing this to get accepted into the prestigious colleges–I just really enjoy learning and challenging myself.

–

Thanks again! Good luck on your APs by the way! (Perhaps, you could give me more tips post-exam. :slight_smile: )

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Dang, that book list is eerily similar to what I used.
Anyway, I self-studied AP Chem last year, and then physics and calc this year. You’ve really put a lot on your plate, but that’s up to you. There are a few things worth noting, though.

First - for bio, you require lab hours with a certified lab instructor to be allowed to take the exam.
Second - resources, the books you have listed are good, but they go way beyond the AP curriculum. Find a course correlation table for the textbook, figure out what is important, and focus on those topics. You can cut down on excess material by a lot by just focusing on course material. Of course, you can put in the effort to learn the extra material, but there are greatly diminished returns. Besides that, many colleges offer online videos of college courses through EdX (or other sites like it)or their own sites (Yale has a great physics lecture series). I’ve never really found those review books to be good for learning material (but to each their own). For calc, the khan academy series are really helpful - even as a primary method of learning.

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@Ihunter32 Thank you for your advice! I appreciate it. :slight_smile:

I didn’t know that I would need lab hours in order to be eligible to take the AP Biology Exam. :frowning:

Yeah, it would be awful to have to peruse textbook after textbook! I’ll look for an AP curriculum online and use the AP Course and Exam Description on College Board.

Thank you for sharing those other websites! I’m sure they would be very helpful.

How was your experience taking AP Chem last year? Would you recommend self-studying it? Or is it at least possible to pass? Did you do any labs? If so, with or without an instructor? Were the labs crucial to the exam?

How were the AP Exams you took this year? Best of luck! :slight_smile:

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@Ihunter32 I’m surprised of that fact that you need lab hours in order to take the ap bio exam. I know a friend of mine who occasionally (and when I mean occasionally, it’s around 5 periods of lab) came to our lab period and just sat there. She didn’t do anything and she took the exam by self-studying.

@annlauren Oh don’t worry, the more the merrier. I’m sorry for the late reply as for the past two weeks it’s NY’s final exam season and it’s really annoying.

I recommend asking others outside of CC about their experiences because I have noticed that some of the CC’s have a similar mindset, which is not bad, but y’know it’s always good to get other opinions as they might be later useful to you. @Ihunter32 had pretty much answered your questions, as I also have used college lecture videos for studying. I also forgot to tell you that Collegeboard has this chapter reading syllabus, where if you have the book that they have listed, you can go along with their syllabus on what chapters to read. I never have used this but I do remember some of my friends using it and they said it was a good review for midterms and finals.

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piccolojunior, what atkins book did you use to self-study for AP chem?
i’m really impressed you got a 5 for just self-studying, and i am thinking about trying it out.

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I’m self studying:

  • Comparative Government & Politics
  • English Literature
  • Microeconomics

I’m taking:

  • Government and Politics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Biology

Is this doable? I know English Literature you can’t really self study. I heard around that Microeconomics is easy to self-study and I just decided to throw Comparative Government in.

The reason why I’m taking so many is because it only costs $15 to take an AP exam so I might as well take advantage of that.

What prep-books should I buy for the ones that I am self studying?

~thanks in advanced

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@821475 The only test I’m not sure of is AP Lit because it often requires teacher interpretations, grading, and insight. However, if it really interests you and you can devote time to it, it’s possible.

AP Micro self study while taking Macro is really common. I’d recommend getting REA’s AP Economics prep book (it includes both), and using ACDC Econ’s videos and review packets to learn the material really well. Also ask your Macro teacher! He/She is very likely to help you out with this.

Comparative Gov is another popular class to self study while in AP US Gov. You can get Barron’s, but I found Ethel Wood’s course book to be increasingly conversational and effective (it’s on Amazon).

And make sure AP Exams are $15 at your school. Nationwide they are usually ~88-92$ for self studiers. Your school just may pay some of it if you are enrolled in the class.

Good luck!

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@ZealousScholar Thank you for your reply, it means a lot!

I didn’t think about asking my future Macro teacher for help, that is a really good idea haha! Do you think Khan Academy will help too? I also bought the 2011 Edition for REA and the 2013 for Ethel Wood’s book.

In regards to increased price for self studiers, I never heard about that. I will definitely ask though! Thanks again for your input

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@821475
Khan Academy videos will help on fuzzy topics but I wouldn’t use them for everything as they aren’t AP focused.

The pricing isn’t increased, but rather “normal”. Normal pricing is around 90, and $15 at your school would be a reduced price.

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I’m thinking about self-studying AP Biology, AP US History, and maybe AP Calculus BC in the future, but I feel like it’s going to be really hard and the time and effort won’t be worth it. Would AP Bio be that hard if I’m concurrently taking regular Bio? If I don’t self-study AP Calculus BC and my level 10 syllabus in piano doesn’t count towards fine arts requirements, then I’ll probably end up self-studying AP Art History. Are there any good resources for these AP classes?

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I’m considering taking AP Macro and Micro this summer on FLVS for the credit and testing in it in 2018. Obviously I would review with prep books leading up to the exams. Should I? Next year I am taking APUSH, AP Lit, AP Env Sys, and AP Psych

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Anyone study AP Comp Sci Principles or Human Geo?