What is the best way/time to self-study for AP tests (w/o courses)?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>My prep school doesn't offer AP classes, which is weird, but they do help you through the process of registering and preparing for the tests (kind of). So, I'm a sophomore, but I'm thinking that I should self-study sometime in the near future so that I can take some tests. I'm looking at a few top colleges (Rice, Emory, Carnegie Mellon), so I really think I should have some APs to have a shot. I have a few questions: </p>

<ol>
<li>When is the best time to start studying? Summer, next year during school, etc.? Some of the classes that there are AP exams for are classes that are 11th grade classes (biology, psych, etc.), so I haven't had them yet. </li>
</ol>

<p>-Also, how early should I start studying? Summer before junior year, during junior year, or before senior year? </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Should I buy some of those AP things from College Board? Like the released exams, supplements, etc. What are the differences between the two? For each AP, which one would I be better off getting? The released exam or the supplement? I definitely want to take more than a few tests, so I really don't think buying both for each subject is an option...especially since I'm not that well-off, adding on to the fact that each test costs almost $90. Yikes. </p></li>
<li><p>How many should I take? Is there a limit? </p></li>
<li><p>Are there some subjects that are specifically, in a way, "easier" to self-study than most of the other AP subjects? I know that there's a thread on this board that gives some, but I was wondering about any of your personal experiences self-studying. </p></li>
<li><p>Are there any places to buy these prep books besides College Board? </p></li>
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<p>Thanks so much for your help in advance. Any answers would be great.</p>

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<p>The effect of self-studying AP’s is questionable for the admissions process. Obviously, it would add to your course rigour, but most colleges also say that they do not consider AP test scores for admission.</p>

<ol>
<li>I wouldn’t bother wasting your money.</li>
<li>No limit, but you don’t want to overload yourself.</li>
<li>Econ (Micro/Macro), Stats, Human Geo, and Psych are generally agreed to be easy self studies (and easy AP’s in general). Music Theory and Comp Sci may also be easy, depending on if you “get” those subjects easily.</li>
<li>Princeton Review, Barron’s, and McGraw-Hill all offer prep books for AP that would be helpful.</li>
</ol>

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<p>I think AP Calc AB would be easier to self study that AP Statistics. AP Calc is 100x easier than AP Stat.</p>

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<p>^While that may have been the case for you, I find it doubtful that many others will find Calc to be easier than Stats. (But maybe it is, for some.)</p>