Blackroses216

Okay. So Here's my deal.

Went from Honors Algebra II/Trig to AP Calculus AB.
Since It's a new school, the regular Algebra II kids were mixed in with the honors, so we didn't get much trig coverage, which hurt me a bit at the beginning of my AP Calculus AB course.

Our precalculus course that I skipped doesn't even teach the stuff you need to know for the SAT II- Ie: I never learned matrices, polar coordinates, parametric functions, and I wouldn't have learned that stuff even if I had taken precalculus at my school.

So I've basically been learning the Math II material over the past few weeks with Barrons and some additional help.


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I've found that the Barrons problems take a long time to do, and a lot of the questions are not only calculator based, but require some advanced calculator knowledge use (ie: use this program or that program in your calculator)

I know Barrons is said to be harder, and that if you get around a 680 on a Barrons test that you're likely to still get an 800 on the real deal. Is this true? On the real test do you need to know all these advanced calculator procedures/ how to use all these calculator programs?

Also, what tests are most reflective/ realistic to the CB tests? I've heard the two released tests that were released a few years ago are easy compared to the CB Math II tests now. Is this true?

Blackroses216

Please answer!

Bilguun

This is what it was like to me.

CB Math LVL2 test on CB's All subject tests book was much easier than the October test.

Barron's practice test problems require lot of calculations and calculator knowledge, primarily because they cover calculator usage a lot in their book. Real test isn't dependent on calculators as much as Barrons, but that doesn't mean it's much easier. I didn't have a TI calculator so I wasn't able to utilize the calculator tips very well.

My scores on Barrons' tests were fluctuating between 630-680 and I easily got a 780 on an official practice test; I ended up with a 730 on real one.

I don't have the CB's Math subject test book, so I can't compare.
I think Sparknotes tests, although with slightly different concepts than the real test, in the end, gives you a score that is rather accurate (usually 20-30 points more).