<p>Peterson’s Arco is good for AP Chem (according to my teacher)</p>
<p>Barrons’s is where it’s at for the Calc.</p>
<p>I got a 5 on the AP chem just from cliff notes and PR from mthe local library.</p>
<p>How good are the sparknotes ones?</p>
<p>The sparknote power packs are AMAZING! I got it and everyone in my class used the notecards the week before the test. the general consensus is that they help with the test a great deal and were really useful. The review books were pretty good not as much depth as I would like though. So in short if you’re getting a a sparknotes product get the power pack (it’ll be in a box) and the review book if you need extra help.</p>
<p>PR comes out with new editions of their AP books every August/September, right? Browsing Amazon that’s a trend that I noticed. So would it be better for me to wait until the new editions come out to buy any PR books, or do the contents never really change? And does anyone else (i.e. Barron’s) do the same thing?</p>
<p>It depends on what subject you’re looking for. If it’s HG, you might want to wait.</p>
<p>For all you people</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Physics B should be PR hands down. Combined with the Giancoli Physics textbook, its a challenging, but rewarding self study.</p>
<p>Okay, I’ve tried to read through all these posts, but it’s too much. So, I’m sorry, but can somebody help me?</p>
<p>AP English Language:
No idea. My friend offered me last year’s Kaplan for $10… is it a good deal? If it isn’t, recommendations? </p>
<p>AP Comparative Government:
People say to use Ethel Woods… but also say it’s outdated. If I’m self-studying, will it be fine?</p>
<p>AP US Government:
AMSCO? Is REA necessary too? I’m taking the class, do I need it?</p>
<p>AP US History:
Is PR good - but the list above says it’s unhelpful? What about Barrons? I’ll be taking IB HotA, so it’ll overlap at least a little bit.</p>
<p>AP Physics B:
Barrons? Or PR?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Isurus, the AP Comparative Gov book was released in a new edition in October 2009, so you should be OK. For APUSH, get Amsco.</p>
<p>How did REA get into the ‘don’t use’ section for French?! It’s a great book; I self-studied from it.</p>
<p>@082349, why do you recommend waiting for the new edition of the PR HG book?</p>
<p>The curriculum for AP HG is changing so you should wait for the new edition</p>
<p>Books I recommend: (got all 5’s)
Lang - Cliffs notes
Government & Politics - Cliffs notes
American History - REA Crash Course, supplemented with Princeton Review</p>
<p>I do not know what the hype about Cliff for AP English Lang is.</p>
<p>The book sucks. The MC is not accurate. I was getting 50% on their tests, and I got over 90% on the official practice test. Their essay section has many good questions, but does not explain the essays well.</p>
<p>PR on the other hand explains the essays well, but also sucks in the MC section (I was getting 65%). Also it explains the necessary terms in a manner that I found more in depth than Cliff, but the terms in both books were covered well.</p>
<p>When the AP exam came around I was surprised at the fact that they did not pull answers and questions out of the @&$ like it seems like they do in these two review books, and I received a 5. I have not tried Barrons but I hope their is a good alternative for people who want real simulation of the test.</p>
<p>EDIT: I forgot to add that these books made me feel like I was going to receive a 2. Do not trust them completely (at all?). This is one test where you want to get your hands on either past exams or the official audit.</p>
<p>best books (My brother’s opinions from his own uses. He’s now currently in Yale, and he got straight 5s on everything… SS* means self studied)</p>
<p>Biology(SS*) - Cliffs + Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>Calculus AB/BC(SS*) - Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>Chemistry - Barron’s (For Material) / Princeton Review (For Tests) =5</p>
<p>Chinese Language and Culture(SS*) - Barron’s (Our family is korean, but my brother selfed chinese) = 5</p>
<p>Computer Science A/AB - Barron’s =5</p>
<p>English Language and Composition - Cliff’s or Blue Book for SAT =5</p>
<p>English Literature and Composition(SS*)- Nothing helps more than reading lots of books, and just writing lots of stuff. He told me this exam was HARD =5</p>
<p>Environmental Science(SS*) - Princeton Review = 5</p>
<p>European History(SS*) - Modern European History (Material) / Princeton Review (Test) =5</p>
<p>French Language(SS*) – Barron’s. He told me this book was the greatest thing ever for french. =5</p>
<p>Government and Politics: Comparative(SS*) – Ethel Wood’s Study Guide =5</p>
<p>Government and Politics: United States - 5 Steps to a 5 + Do all homework. =5</p>
<p>Latin: He read lots of classic literature. He was wonderful in latin from school classes anyways = 5</p>
<p>Music Theory - Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>Physics B(SS*) – Barron’s (He never took the test, but used this in the summer to prepare for AP Physics C. He said it taught him everything he needed to know. Combine this with 5 Steps for a 5 and PR for extra problems)</p>
<p>Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism - Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>Physics C: Mechanics – Barrons = 5</p>
<p>Psychology(SS*) – Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>Spanish Language(SS*) - Barron’s (He went to Spanish immersion camps, and was nearly fluent. And my brother is just naturally talented with languages. He said the book was crappy though.) = 5</p>
<p>Statistics(SS*) - Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>U.S. History – AMCSO = 5</p>
<p>World History(SS*) - Barron’s = 5</p>
<p>Yeah. he was captain of debate team for public forum, forensics
he sent in his amature recordings of piano, quarterfinalist for US physics team twice, semi once, Intel semis, national merit scholarship finalist, had 200+ hours of community service per year, oddysey of the mind leader, and interned twice. One for computer science/mathematics before junior year, and one before senior year with physics.
Also ran cross country varsity, winter track varsity, and JV Spring track.</p>
<p>He got straight A’s all throughout highschool too, except one B+ in 3rd quarter of quantum physics his junior year.</p>
<p>combine a 4.0 unweighted GPA, a 4.68 weighted gpa, a 2400 (retaken from 2370 his first try in 1 sitting) SAT, and 800s on math 2, chemistry, USH, physics, and korean SAT IIs with 22 5’s on his APs + fabulous recs and essays = Full admissions to all Ivy’s, stanford, duke. Only school he didnt make was MIT. he hates that school now. LOL</p>
<p>My brother was passionate about everything he did, and my brother was just flat out smart. no other way to say it. i wish i culd be half like him. x)</p>
<p>He retook a 2370? Obsessive/over-competitive much?</p>
<p>LOL yes u culd say that about my bro x)
he was also a bit paranoid that the colleges would think that the 2370 was beginners luck.</p>
<p>anyways, he was a crazy crazy kid x)</p>
<p>TJ is definitely crazy. I considered actually moving in with my aunt who lives near TJ so I could attend the school. Happy I didn’t.</p>
<p>Alright, I want some suggestions for AP chem. I have been seeing PR but I hate the PR series so ****ing much and I can’t really tell if it’s still the best for 2011 test.</p>
<p>^ I heard Barrons is very thorough and Peterson’s is good as well.</p>
<p>^^I can definitely vouch for Peterson’s. It’s excellent and I prefer it over Princeton Review. But it is difficult to get a hold of it because it is out of print. (You could try getting a used copy, but I see little point in doing so.)</p>
<p>EDIT: I feel like an idiot for not mentioning that there is a PDF of the book online.</p>