Consolidated book suggestions for AP

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
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<p>Petersons (Acro) is good for Calc BC… but if compared to PR, i have no idea, cause i only bought Petersons… I self studied for my Calc BC… and when I took the exam, it was relatively easy for me.. :D</p>

<p>Chem, I used petersons + PR… I would say Petersons is much better for a student self studying for AP chem, but do read up on PR… as there are still some stuff that aint in petersons (eg, Beer’s Law.. which came out in the FR 2006.) </p>

<p>For physics C, PR is tougher than the real thing :smiley: i personally prefer a tougher preparation.. :D</p>

122

<p>my prep book for this yr:</p>

<p>English - REA
World - Barrons
Euro - REA
Physics C - Barrons
Biology - Barrons/ Kaplan/ Arco
US Govt - Barrons/Cliffnotes/PR
Comp Govt - Ken Wedding (What you need to know, 2nd edition)
Psycholoy - Kaplan
Envrionmental Science - REA
Macroecon - Kaplan
Microecon - Kaplan</p>

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<p>My prep books:</p>

<p>World History: Barron’s for overall review, but PR for cram.
Psychology: Barron’s and PR are very good.
Human Geography: Barron’s (only review on market).
Environmental Science: Smartypants and REA, PR isn’t bad though.</p>

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<p>Biology - I am a CLIFFS success story :)</p>

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<p>Calc: PR AB-BC book…some of the review questions are wrong or are too advanced for the section they’re in but, overall, the lessons in the book are very good. the practice tests are harder than the real thing, so if you can do them well, you’re in good shape.</p>

<p>Chem: PR definitely…descriptive chem section is good.</p>

<p>APUSH: AMSCO or REA for indepth review, although I mainly just read PR, since I had already read my text several times and just wanted a review of general information and trends.</p>

<p>World: Barrons is good for learning material, but PR is good for reviewing all of the general trends which are probably more important, so use Barrons to supplement class learnings, and then use PR to review for the exams in the 1 or 2 weeks leading up to it.</p>

<p>I will be self-studying Psych next year, and will probably use 5 steps to a 5 and Barron’s…for bio self-study I’ll use Cliffs (thanks for the recommendations, guys!)</p>

126

<p>What books should you use to self-study AP chem? AP Physics B? Could this be done over the summer?</p>

<p>Caltech04, what book(s) would you suggest that would allow me to self-study AP Environmental Science? Thanks.</p>

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<p>AP Chem: I’d definitely get a text and read it. Then review for exam with PR…best for chem, IMO. Also make sure to get all of the released FRQs and MCs and know how to do them. Idk how wise it would be to do it over the summer; that’s a long time between summer and AP exam season.</p>

128

<p>Ok.. I guess I’ll get the PR for Calc.. I mean.. it’s math, so most of it is just applying what you learn right? Hopefully there’s not a large bulk of info to know, just knowing how to use them.</p>

<p>Any good review books for CS? I heard the one by Litvin was really good… but I haven’t checked that out yet.</p>

<p>It’d probably be wise to study ap chem during the summer and reviewing it comes AP time.. That’s what I’m gonna try to do.. Gotta stop procrastinating >.< I don’t wanna die from exhaustion next may lol. I’m self-studying chem too, and I guess I’ll get the PR review and look at the Cliffs lab reviews (I heard they’ve got pretty comprehensive lab descriptions)</p>

<p>Oh yeah.. it’s very possible to use only Barrons to self-study ap psych.. it’s definitely been done before ::hint hint:: and can deliver a 5 fairly easily</p>

129

<p>Would self-study AP chem be hard if you don’t have an honors chem background?</p>

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<p>WHY HASN’T THIS THREAD BEEN STICKIED</p>

<p>Half the comments in this board after AP exams discuss what books to buy…this thread is priceless</p>

<p>(Yes, this post needs all caps because it’s that important!)</p>

131

<p>World History: Barrons for sure, PR is childish and irritating</p>

<p>Language: Barrons again, great vocabulary section to learn high sounding terms from even if most of the info itsself is pretty obvious</p>

<p>Calc: Barrons yet again, excellent preparation if you try the practice questions and read the review chapters</p>

<p>US: AMSCO for MC and Barrons for essays to draw your own ideas from</p>

<p>Physics: PR, nothing else comes close</p>

<p>Human Geo: Barrons for the tests and comprehensive review</p>

132

<p>chemistry= PR</p>

<p>u.s.history=rea, barron’s flashcards <- i know not a lot of people talk about these on this board but these flashcards REALLY helped me out!</p>

<p>ap language= cliffs.. was harder than the real test tho</p>

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<p>How’s Cliffs for Macro/Micro?</p>

134

<p>thanks sooo much…really saved my big headache this year</p>

135

<p>Biology-everyone LOVES cliffs, but I personally recommend 5 Steps to a 5…I used both, and found 5 steps to a 5 extremely easy to absorb and actually interesting/fun to read.</p>

136

<p>comp gov lit stats?</p>

137

<p>ok i am planning on self studying the following in the summer</p>

<p>Physics</p>

<p>Calculus</p>

<p>Physcology</p>

<p>now i need to know what are good textbooks and review books for each subject..i need textbooks thought cause i actually want to LEARN something not just score 5’s on AP tests…</p>

<p>oh and btw ..if it matters…for calculus ..i never took trig..just a really hard ALG 2 Course</p>

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<p>I’m new with this whole AP thing and I was wondering wouldn’t you learn the same material in class for free without spending money on an unfimiliar book or, do it depend on what class it is and type of teacher?</p>

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<p>In an ideal world, yes, one wouldn’t need a prep book. The teacher would have a complete understanding of what is on the test and prepare the students effectively. However, as you know, this is not an ideal world and often times these prep books(the good ones) do a great job explaining what is on the test and what is not on the test. In addition students are often lost when trying to figure out where to start studying. The prep books do a good job of outlining the curriculum. Some people rely on these tools more than others. Personally I always feel if you buy the right prep book and know it cover to cover you shouldnt have any problem getting a 5 or at least a 4. Some exams it is a little more complicated than that(foreign languages and english come to mind).</p>

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<p>Yeah lol I understand where you are coming from like you I also live in the peach state and uderstand fully. Because it’s rough getting through a public or private school system these days with decent stats. Not given away any locations I hope.</p>