<p>I don’t know why, but I’m starting to dislike Barron’s. I got it for World and Art History this year, and … the format isn’t appealing. I really can’t point out what it is, but it’s turning me off.</p>
<p>Anyone else have any opinions on psych? I was leaning toward 5 steps, but now I’m not sure…</p>
<p>I used the old, yellow 5 steps to a 5 for AP Chem. Not that great at explaining stuff, but the practice MC was pretty good.
and I got a 5</p>
<p>Before I start, I might mention that I like a review book that has a lot of detail. (Unlike most Princeton books, which are VERY brief and very vague about specific wars, diseases, etc.) If you are like me, you want a book that will TEACH you everything, not to skim over vital material. I go to a school where the teachers don’t ever really teach you much. So I’ve always been on my own. Also, I’m a big procrastinator.</p>
<p>Art History - I know most people recommend the Annotated Mona Lisa. I bought it but it was not nearly as good as the REA review book, which is a company that not many people are familiar with. but seriously, its the BEST. it includes a CD which has pictures so that you can look at it while you read about it. (so useful, because trying to flip through the glossary to find major art works is NOT efficient). trust me on this, get the REA. it got me a 5.</p>
<p>Biology - Cliffs is pretty good, but the Barron’s is amazing. I go for detailed reviews, and Barron’s really teaches you. You don’t ever need to refer back to the textbook for clarification. got a 5 on the test.</p>
<p>English Language - Cliff’s is the one. Very helpful vocab section, and thorough list of past essay topics that I found to be helpful. score awaiting, but confident thanks to Cliffs.</p>
<p>Enviro - omg im telling you, the McGraw Hill AP Achiever book for enviro is THE best. Its really thin but has everything you need to know, very concise. score awaiting, but also confident.</p>
<p>Human Geo - Most people use the Barron’s…but mostly because theyre the ONLY company that makes a humgeo review book. But the new Kaplan one came out, and its amazing. Very thick, but very good. score awaiting.</p>
<p>US history - Amsco published book by John Newman. You really don’t need other book because this has everything. score awaiting.</p>
<p>World History - Use the barron’s. Got a 5 on this one.</p>
<p>P.S. Besides looking for “teaching” books, I pay special attention to their authors. I tend to trust AP teachers with lot of experience, or people who have been on the College Board committee. A Ph.D human geographer (if there is such a thing) could write a wonderful review book, but a hs teacher on the AP committee will write the better preparing book. Agree? I really believe this is the best list because mostly, it comes from personal experience. I really hope this might help some other people like me.</p>
<p>Oh, btw
any book by Ethel Wood
or by McGraw Hill AP Achievers
are excellent.</p>
<p>Travard-</p>
<p>i self studied ap psych this year, and had barrons and 5 steps to a 5. Although i read both of them pretty thoroughly, i’d have to say barrons was the better book. it covered everything 5 steps covered and more. if i were you, i’d definitely get barrons.</p>
<p>I’m just going to give my two cents for Barron’s Physics C prep book. I personally thought it was absolutely horrendous. I only took the Mechanics portion of the exam, and I’m taking it as a junior, so I haven’t had extensive calculus. The Barron’s book based all of its explanations on calculus, and the questions were much harder than what the questions on the actual exam. Perhaps the book was preparing us for E&M, but using the book for the Mechanics section alone, I could hardly get through the book without getting a headache. I definitely recommend the Princeton Review one (even though it is also harder) over Barron’s for Physics C.</p>
<p>Barron’s? Well, I’m not self-studying, though. I’m looking for a concise book with enough content that can go along with the textbook.</p>
<p>From my experience this year,</p>
<p>AP Bio: Cliffs was great for AP Bio, especially for the free response. Decent diagrams to help you visualize processes.
AP English Language and Composition: Cliffs was great here as well and has the most practice tests of all the books offered.
AP Government: Either Princeton Review or Cliffnotes would be fine here. I went with cliffs but I read parts of my friend’s princeton review as well. The princeton is more concise and easier to read, however the cliffs prepares you better for the free response.</p>
<p>Last year
APUSH: Sparknotes vocab cards and practice tests were sufficient for me to get a 5. </p>
<p>For next year: </p>
<p>I’m self studying Ap psych next year and I’m thinking I’ll just get princeton review and maybe barron’s as well because i’ll have no preparation for the exam besides a review book or two. </p>
<p>I may take AP Spanish if I can test out of some state requirements such as “personal finance”. I already have princeton review and I don’t think i’ll get anything else.</p>
<p>And due to some lame circumstances(my school dropped AP chem and I planned to take it next year), I’m only going to be in advanced chem. Thus, I’m going to self study ap chem with princeton and barron’s.</p>
<p>Thus… to recap I’ve switched from a sparknotes man to a cliffs man and now I’m a princeton review/Barron’s man.</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>O - Overly difficult practice tests.
A - Accuracy (practice tests that are most similar to the real thing).
E - Easier than the real exam.</p>
<p>Art History -
Biology - Princeton Review (A)
Calculus AB - Arco, Barron’s, Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (A)
Calculus BC - Arco, Princeton
Chemistry - Princeton Review (A), Barron’s (O)
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A -
Computer Science AB - Barron’s (A)
English Language and Composition - Cliffs (A)
English Literature -
Environmental Science - Princeton Review (A)
European History - Cliffs (E), Princeton Review (A)
French Language - Barron’s, REA
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative -
Government and Politics: United States -
Human Geography - Barron’s (O)
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil - Vergil’s Aeneid (Pharr), Loeb Classical Library, Virgil I, II (Fairclough)
Macroeconomics -
Microeconomics -
Music Theory -
Physics B - Barron’s
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism -
Physics C: Mechanics -
Psychology - Barron’s (A)
Spanish Language - REA
Spanish Literature - none existing
Statistics - Barron’s, PR
U.S. History - Amsco, REA
World History - Princeton Review (A, harder than 2008 exam)</p>
<p>Best for Independent Study</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>I - Good for use independently (without any other materials such as textbooks).
T - Could be used independently, but an in-depth knowledge requires a textbook.
Q - Questions throughout the book that help reinforce information (practice tests do not count).
E - Easy to read.
S - A lot of superfluous information.
P - Practice tests included.</p>
<p>Art History -
Biology - Princeton Review (T, Q, P)
Calculus AB - Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (T, Q, E, P)
Calculus BC - Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (T, Q, E, P)
Chemistry - Princeton Review (T, Q, E, P), Barrons (I, S, P)
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A -
Computer Science AB - Barron’s (I, Q, S, P)
English Language and Composition - Cliffs (I, E (none really involved), P (many of these))
English Literature -
Environmental Science - Princeton Review (T, Q, E, P)
European History - Cliffs (T, Q, E, P), Modern European Hisory (T, E, S[but in a good way. this book will get you a 5, the only bad thing is that it does lack some cultural/social issues])
French Language -
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative -
Government and Politics: United States -
Human Geography - Barron’s (I, Q, S, P)
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil -
Macroeconomics - Princeton Review (I, Q, E, P)
Microeconomics - Princeton Review (I, Q, E, P)
Music Theory -
Physics B -
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Barron’s (I, S, P)
Physics C: Mechanics - Barron’s (I, E, S, P)
Psychology - Barron’s (T, Q, E, S, P)
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature - none available
Statistics - Princeton Review (T, E, P)
U.S. History -
World History - Princeton Review (T, E, P)</p>
<p>Best for Complementing Class</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>H - Helpful in preparing for random tests throughout the year, apart from the actual exam.
N - Not strictly a review book (can be used to teach material, and not just to review it).
T - Teacher recommendation.
P - Practice tests included.</p>
<p>Art History -
Biology - Princeton Review (H, T, P)
Calculus AB - Barron’s, Arco, Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (N, T)
Calculus BC - PR, Arco, Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (N, T)
Chemistry - Princeton Review (T, P)
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A -
Computer Science AB - Barron’s (H, N, P)
English Language and Composition -
English Literature -
Environmental Science - Princeton Review (T, P)
European History - Cliffs ( H, T P), Princeton Review (H, N, T, P), Modern European History (H, N, T)
French Language - Barron’s, REA
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative -
Government and Politics: United States -
Human Geography - Barron’s (H, T, P)
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil - Loeb Classical Library, Virgil I, II (Fairclough)
Macroeconomics -
Microeconomics -
Music Theory -
Physics B - Barron’s
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Barron’s (H, N, P)
Physics C: Mechanics - Barron’s (H, N, P)
Psychology - Barron’s (H, N, T, P)
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature -
Statistics - Barron’s, PR
U.S. History - Amsco, REA
World History - Princeton Review (P)</p>
<p>What NOT to use</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>N - Not enough information.
T - Too much information (extra information is good, but not to the point where you can’t differentiate between the useful stuff, and the filler).
H - Hard to understand.
P - No practice questions included in the review book.
U - Unhelpful practice questions.
O - Price of book much greater than actual value.</p>
<p>Art History -
Biology - Barron’s (T)
Calculus AB -
Calculus BC - Kaplan (U, O) (just go to a bookstore and get a Calculus text)
Chemistry -
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A -
Computer Science AB -
English Language and Composition -
English Literature -
Environmental Science - Barron’s (T)
European History - Cliffs (U [too easy]), Modern European History (T[but in a good way if you have the time to study], P)
French Language -
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative -
Government and Politics: United States - Princeton Review (N, U)
Human Geography -
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil -
Macroeconomics -
Microeconomics -
Music Theory -
Physics B -
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism -
Physics C: Mechanics -
Psychology -
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature -
Statistics - Barron’s (H, U)
U.S. History -
World History -</p>
<p>So I’m pretty clear on Amsco for US and Cliffs for Lang but people don’t seem clear on Physics B and Chem</p>
<p>Could someone give their input and describe why they did like (or didn’t) like? I’ll need a detailed book for Physics (bad teacher) but not so much for Chem (good teacher)</p>
<p>Any ideas?</p>
<p>Best Practice Tests</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>O - Overly difficult practice tests.
A - Accuracy (practice tests that are most similar to the real thing).
E - Easier than the real exam.</p>
<p>Art History – Barron’s
Biology - Princeton Review (A)
Calculus AB - Princeton Review (A), Barron’s (O)
Calculus BC - Princeton Review (A)
Chemistry - Princeton Review (A), Barron’s (O)
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A - Barron’s (O)
Computer Science AB – Barron’s (O)
English Language and Composition - Princeton Review (A), Cliffs
English Literature and Composition-
Environmental Science - Princeton Review (A)
European History - Princeton Review (A)
French Language – Barron’s (A)
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative – AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide
Government and Politics: United States - Princeton Review (A)
Human Geography - Barron’s (O)
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil - Vergil’s Aeneid (Pharr), Loeb Classical Library, Virgil I, II (Fairclough)
Macroeconomics - Princeton Review (A)
Microeconomics – Princeton Review (A)
Music Theory -
Physics B – Barron’s (O)
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism -
Physics C: Mechanics – Princeton Review (A)
Psychology – Princeton Review (A)
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature –
Statistics - Princeton Review (A)
U.S. History – AMCSO, REA
World History - Princeton Review (A)</p>
<p>Best for Independent Study</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>I - Good for use independently (without any other materials such as textbooks).
T - Could be used independently, but an in-depth knowledge requires a textbook.
Q - Questions throughout the book that help reinforce information (practice tests do not count).
E - Easy to read.
S - A lot of superfluous information.
P - Practice tests included.</p>
<p>Art History – Barron’s
Biology - Princeton Review (T, Q, P)
Calculus AB – Princeton Review (T, Q, P)
Calculus BC - Princeton Review (T, Q, P)
Chemistry - Princeton Review (T, Q, E, P) , Barron’s (I, S, P)
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A - Barron’s (I, Q, S, P)
Computer Science AB - Barron’s (I, Q, S, P)
English Language and Composition - Princeton Review (I, E, P), Cliffs (I, E, P)
English Literature and Composition-
Environmental Science - Princeton Review (T, Q, E, P)
European History - Princeton Review (T, Q, E, P), Cliffs (T, Q, E, P), Modern European History (T, E, S)
French Language – Barron’s (I, Q, P)
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative - Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide (I, Q, E, P)
Government and Politics: United States – Princeton Review (I, Q, E, P)
Human Geography - Barron’s (I, Q, S, P)
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil -
Macroeconomics - Princeton Review (I, Q, E, P)
Microeconomics - Princeton Review (I, Q, E, P)
Music Theory -
Physics B – Barron’s (I, P)
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Barron’s (I, S, P)
Physics C: Mechanics - Barron’s (I, E, S, P)
Psychology - Barron’s (T, Q, E, S, P), Princeton Review (T, E, P)
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature -
Statistics - Princeton Review (T, E, P)
U.S. History -
World History - Princeton Review (T, E, P)</p>
<p>Best for Complementing Class</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>H - Helpful in preparing for tests throughout the year, apart from the actual exam.
N - Not strictly a review book (can be used to teach material, and not just to review it).
T - Teacher recommendation.
P - Practice tests included.</p>
<p>Art History – Barron’s
Biology - Princeton Review (H, T, P)
Calculus AB - Barron’s, Princeton Review (H, T, P), Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (N, T)
Calculus BC - Barron’s, Princeton Review (H, T, P), Be Prepared for the AP Calculus Exam (N, T)
Chemistry - Princeton Review (T, P)
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A - Barron’s (H, N, T, P)
Computer Science AB – Barron’s (H, N, T, P)
English Language and Composition – Princeton Review (T, P)
English Literature -
Environmental Science - Princeton Review (T, P)
European History - Princeton Review (H, N, T, P), Cliffs ( H, T, P), Modern European History (H, N, T)
French Language – Barron’s (N, T, P)
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative - Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide (H, N, P)
Government and Politics: United States – Princeton Review (T, P)
Human Geography - Barron’s (H, T, P)
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil - Loeb Classical Library, Virgil I, II (Fairclough)
Macroeconomics - Princeton Review (T, P)
Microeconomics - Princeton Review (T, P)
Music Theory -
Physics B – Barron’s
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Barron’s (H, N, P)
Physics C: Mechanics - Barron’s (H, N, P)
Psychology - Barron’s (H, N, T, P)
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature -
Statistics - Princeton Review (T, P)
U.S. History - Amsco, REA
World History - Princeton Review (P)</p>
<p>What NOT to use</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>N - Not enough information.
T - Too much information (to the point where you can’t differentiate between the useful stuff and the filler).
H - Hard to understand.
P - No practice questions included in the review book.
U - Unhelpful practice questions.
O - Price of book much greater than actual value.</p>
<p>Art History -
Biology - Barron’s (T)
Calculus AB - Kaplan (U, O)
Calculus BC - Kaplan (U, O)
Chemistry -
Chinese Language and Culture -
Computer Science A -
Computer Science AB -
English Language and Composition -
English Literature -
Environmental Science - Barron’s (T)
European History -
French Language - REA
French Literature -
German Language -
Government and Politics: Comparative -
Government and Politics: United States -
Human Geography -
Italian Language and Culture -
Japanese Language and Culture -
Latin Literature -
Latin: Vergil -
Macroeconomics – Barron’s (T, H), REA
Microeconomics – Barron’s (T, H), REA
Music Theory -
Physics B -
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism -
Physics C: Mechanics -
Psychology -
Spanish Language -
Spanish Literature -
Statistics - Barron’s (H, U)
U.S. History -
World History - Barron’s (T,H)</p>
<p>Computer Science AB - I would definitely recommend Barron’s for the intensive review; It easily surpassed my textbook(Litvin’s Java Methods A and AB) in terms of depth and comprehensiveness. Beware, though, It isn’t meant for the weak of heart! A slower-paced book with practice questions that have been claimed to more closely resemble the actual test has been “Five steps to a five” and, for the most part, they seem to. But, I thought Barron’s draconian questions to be more instructive and, though asinine as times, it appears it’s exactly this fastidiousness that the AP sometimes engages in that makes this book all the more helpful.</p>
<p>Microeconomics - I used Princteton’s “Be prepared”(something like that) and it was great. I wished it had more questions besides the single practice review test in the back and the meager questions sparsely peppered at the end of the chapters, though. But, overall, the concepts seemed to be sufficiently explained to effectively master the AP MC and Free Response: I definitely suggest practicing past Free Response questions, though, as this book doesn’t cover every single nuance covered by the Free Response.</p>
<p>Statistics - Barron’s statistics AP. Yes, great practice. It has that same “Over-preparation” flair as the Comp Sci book has, but to an easier degree. Also, this book has a TON of questions to practice so you’re almost ready to be called a Sensei once you’ve reached the end. The free-response questions in this are ridiculously hard in comparison to the actual test(And don’t mind the time-limits that much: Trust me, unless you’ve found a special program for doing the chi-square test(I admit I studied this alone, so I never know), you’re not going to be able to do a chi-square problem with a 4-4 matrix in less than 5 minutes. Be relieved, though, that a chi-square problem on the actual free-response is not likely to have both dimensions of the matrix to be greater than 3, and it’s probable it’ll be a 2x4 or 2x3.) so if you’re even halfway competent in answering the Free-response, you’ll have little to no problem answering the Statistics AP Free Response. I know since I graded my own Free Response questions using the CollegeBoard’s grading rubric(And, no, I wasn’t especially lenient as leniency is only detrimental.)</p>
<p>I have a question about the consistency of the review books for different subjects. I used PR for World History this year and it helped me alot. I really liked the format of it and felt that it was very helpful for th test. I was wondering if PR would be as useful as for US history as it was for World. I know most people on here suggest REA and AMSCO but I don’t think I would need such an in depth teaching as much as I would a review.</p>
<p>Also, if PR was good for World would it be good for say, environmental science or psychology? I’m basically asking if there is much difference in the success of each book for different subjects.</p>
<p>Well, each book has its limits. For World, Barrons goes way over the top and PR gives you just enough. However, in Psych, I found Barrons to be extremely useful (self-study) and I liked its format (rare when it comes to Barrons), so it all depends on what you’re looking for. Barron’s, as a whole, gives you more than enough review, but PR focuses more directly on the actual AP, in my opinion.</p>
<p>^ Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Random question..</p>
<p>My friend gave me his REA AP US History Review Book since he has no need for it anymore. I was actually hoping to buy the AMSCO one, since it was the one with the most positive reviews. Is it worth buying AMSCO and havng REA in the side or should I stick to REA? Is AMSCO that good?</p>
<p>wow thanks so much…im gonna try to NOT procrastinate and prepare for things ahead of time (we’ll see how that works out). So, this is not an AP class, but it’s basically the same amount of coursework (it comes after AP Calc AB in my school)…does anybody know what supplementary source I should use for Linear Algebra?</p>
<p>I’m planning to take AP Chem, Physics B next year. I will be self studying. I need help deciding which books will be good for complete preparation.</p>
<p>Chem:
Princeton Review Cracking the AP Chemistry Exam, 2008 Edition [This does not seem a good option for self-studying]
or
Barrons AP Chem (2008, 4th edition)</p>
<p>Physics B:
Barrons Physics B (2008, 4th edition) [Again, from what I’ve read so far, this is the best choice]
or
5 Steps to a 5 AP Physics B & C, 2008-2009 Edition</p>
<p>Is there much difference between the 2008 editions of both PR and Barrons books and the previous editions? Would it make sense to buy the previous editions even though the 2008 editions are available?</p>
<p>Thank you very much</p>
<p>Well from reading this board (and more specifically this thread) Barrons’s seems to be more in depth- perfect for self studiers, whle PR is more about review- perfect for those who have taken the class.</p>
<p>This is a copy of the “Best for Independent Study” portion of the master list
(I only put your classes on it)</p>
<p>Legend:</p>
<p>I - Good for use independently (without any other materials such as textbooks).
T - Could be used independently, but an in-depth knowledge requires a textbook.
Q - Questions throughout the book that help reinforce information (practice tests do not count).
E - Easy to read.
S - A lot of superfluous information.
P - Practice tests included.</p>
<p>Chemistry - Princeton Review (T, Q, E, P) , Barron’s (I, S, P)
Physics B – Barron’s (I, P)</p>
<ul>
<li>I know there are two recommendations for Chem but read the legend and see what would fit your needs best!</li>
</ul>
<p>So basically, Barron’s for both!</p>