Which AP Biology Prep book is best? WATCH this video BEFORE buying a prep book for AP Bio!

Lasseter’s Lab
23 Feb 202109:02
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the challenges of selecting an AP Biology prep book amidst numerous options. The speaker, a teacher, shares personal opinions and insights from students on various prep books. They emphasize the importance of choosing a book that aligns with the current AP Biology exam course description, as set by the College Board. The speaker also considers the price and content of the prep books, recommending physical versions for active study. They provide a list of top prep book recommendations, including 'Five Steps to a Five', 'Princeton Review', 'Barron's', and 'Cliff Notes AP Biology Prep'. The script concludes by encouraging active use of the prep book and exploring other study resources like the College Board's released FRQs. The speaker also plans to release a video on creating a study plan for the AP Biology exam.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š Match the prep book to the current AP Biology exam course description, ideally published in 2020 or later.
  • πŸ›οΈ Consider the price and whether you prefer a physical or digital version based on your study habits.
  • πŸ” Check the ratio of practice questions to content explanations to ensure it fits your study needs.
  • πŸ“ˆ The Princeton Review is a popular choice with comprehensive content and practice tests.
  • πŸ“˜ Baron's offers a detailed breakdown with lots of practice questions and is a cost-effective option.
  • πŸ“– Five Steps to a Five has a diagnostic exam and good organization, though it may not be as popular.
  • πŸ“’ Kaplan sometimes offers their resource for free and provides a good selection of practice questions.
  • πŸ“ Cliff Notes AP Biology prep is an affordable choice with a structured breakdown of content.
  • βœ… Actively use the prep book by doing practice questions and applying study tips for the best results.
  • πŸ”Ž Utilize free resources like the College Board's old released FRQs for additional practice.
  • 🚫 Remember that no prep book is an exact match to the actual AP Biology exam questions.
  • πŸ“ˆ A prep book's value is proportional to the effort you put into using it effectively.
Q & A
  • What is the primary factor to consider when choosing an AP Biology prep book?

    -The most important factor is ensuring that the prep book matches the current exam course description as outlined by the College Board, especially since there was a revamp in 2019.

  • Why might it be difficult to buy used AP Biology prep books?

    -Used books may not align with the current AP Biology exam content, especially if they were published before the 2019 revamp of the course description.

  • What is a good strategy to verify the publication date of a prep book online?

    -Check the product details section on online retailers like Amazon, which typically list the publication date.

  • What are the advantages of having a physical version of a prep book?

    -A physical version allows you to mark up, circle responses, and highlight as you go through the material, which can be beneficial for active studying.

  • What is the recommended approach to using a prep book for AP Biology exam preparation?

    -Actively engage with the prep book by doing practice questions, using study tips, and not just passively reading or highlighting the content.

  • Which AP Biology prep book is mentioned as the most popular choice among students?

    -The Princeton Review is mentioned as one of the most popular prep book series among students.

  • What is the author's opinion on the number of practice tests needed for the AP Biology exam?

    -The author suggests that doing six practice tests, as sometimes offered in premium editions, is quite a lot and that three practice tests, as included in the original Princeton Review AP Biology prep book, should suffice.

  • What is a good source of practice questions that are closely aligned to the actual AP Biology exam?

    -The author recommends using the College Board's old released Free Response Questions (FRQs) for practice.

  • Why might a student choose to use an AP Biology prep book for exam preparation?

    -Some students may feel more comfortable and better prepared for the exam with a prep book, even though it's not strictly necessary.

  • What is the author's top recommended AP Biology prep book and why?

    -The author's top recommendation is the 'Five Steps to a Five' series because of its well-organized content, good explanations, and the inclusion of a diagnostic exam.

  • What are some other considerations to keep in mind when choosing an AP Biology prep book?

    -Price, the format (digital or print), the ratio of practice questions to content, and whether the book provides enough background information are all considerations to keep in mind.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Choosing the Right AP Biology Prep Book

The speaker discusses the challenge of selecting an AP Biology prep book from numerous options. They offer personal recommendations based on their experience as a teacher and feedback from students. The video provides guidance on how to choose a prep book that fits one's study style, plan, and budget. The importance of ensuring the prep book aligns with the current AP Biology exam course description is emphasized, as is the consideration of price and the book's content, including the balance between practice questions and content explanations. The speaker also shares insights from a YouTube poll and suggests visiting a physical store or watching similar videos for more information before making a purchase.

05:01
πŸ† Top AP Biology Prep Book Recommendations

The speaker provides a list of recommended AP Biology prep books based on a poll and their personal experience. The top choice is the 'Princeton Review' book, appreciated for its popularity and comprehensive content, including full-length practice tests and laboratory explanations. The second recommendation is 'Barron's,' noted for its detailed practice questions and affordability. The third suggestion is the 'Five Steps to a Five' series, praised for its well-organized content and diagnostic exam. Lastly, 'Kaplan' and 'Cliff Notes' are mentioned as other options, with the latter being an affordable choice. The speaker advises using prep books actively by engaging with practice questions and study tips, rather than passively reading. They also highlight that while prep books can be helpful, they are not mandatory for exam preparation, and one should only purchase a book if they intend to use it actively. The video concludes with an encouragement to use other study resources like the College Board's released FRQs and an offer to guide viewers on creating a study plan for the AP Biology exam.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘AP Biology Exam
The AP Biology Exam is a standardized test administered by the College Board to assess high school students' knowledge and skills in biology. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of studying for this exam and provides recommendations for prep books to help students prepare effectively.
πŸ’‘Prep Book
A prep book, short for preparation book, is a study guide designed to help students prepare for exams. The video focuses on various AP Biology prep books, discussing their features, content, and suitability for different study styles and preferences.
πŸ’‘Study Plan
A study plan is a structured approach to learning that outlines a student's goals, timelines, and methods for studying. The video mentions the importance of having a study plan for the AP Biology exam and how a prep book can be integrated into this plan.
πŸ’‘Practice Questions
Practice questions are exercises that simulate the format and content of actual exam questions. They are a key component of many prep books and are highlighted in the video as an effective way to study and prepare for the AP Biology exam.
πŸ’‘Content Description
Content descriptions in a prep book provide an overview of the topics and areas that will be covered in the exam. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prep books having updated content descriptions that align with the current AP Biology exam course description.
πŸ’‘Diagnostic Exam
A diagnostic exam is a preliminary assessment tool used to identify a student's strengths and weaknesses in a particular subject. The Five Steps to a Five series is mentioned for including a diagnostic exam, which can help students tailor their study plan to their specific needs.
πŸ’‘Full-Length Practice Tests
Full-length practice tests are comprehensive assessments that mimic the structure and difficulty of the actual exam. They are included in some prep books, such as the Princeton Review, and are considered beneficial for simulating the exam experience.
πŸ’‘Study Tips
Study tips are advice or strategies that can enhance a student's learning process. The speaker suggests that prep books often include study tips and that students should actively use these recommendations to improve their study efficiency.
πŸ’‘Price
The cost of a prep book is a consideration for many students. The video discusses the various price points of different prep books and mentions that sales or free digital versions can be found, making them more accessible.
πŸ’‘Physical vs. Digital Version
This refers to the format of the prep book, whether it is a physical paperback that students can write in or a digital e-version for electronic devices. The choice between the two depends on the student's preference for note-taking and highlighting.
πŸ’‘College Board
The College Board is the organization responsible for administering the AP Biology Exam. The video script mentions that the prep books should align with the exam content as dictated by the College Board, emphasizing the importance of using up-to-date materials.
πŸ’‘Released FRQs
FRQs, or Free Response Questions, are part of the AP Biology Exam that require students to provide detailed answers. The speaker suggests using old released FRQs from the College Board as a valuable resource for practicing for the exam.
Highlights

Choosing an AP Biology prep book can be challenging due to the numerous options available.

The presenter is a teacher sharing opinions and student feedback, not sponsored by any brand or publisher.

The importance of selecting a prep book that matches the current AP Biology exam course description.

Since 2019, the College Board has revamped the AP Biology exam, so ensure the prep book is updated post-2020.

Physically comparing books in a store or researching online can help in making an informed decision.

Consider the prep book's publication date by checking the copyright information.

Price is a significant factor; consider the version (physical or digital) based on your study preferences.

The ratio of practice questions to content explanation is crucial for effective study.

The Princeton Review is a popular choice among students, offering three full-length practice tests.

Barron's is a cost-effective option with five practice tests and detailed content explanations.

The 'Five Steps to a Five' series is the presenter's favorite, offering a diagnostic exam and well-organized content.

Kaplan occasionally offers their AP Biology prep book for free, which is another recommended resource.

Cliff Notes AP Biology prep book is an affordable option with a good selection of practice questions.

Active use of the prep book is essential; it should not just be for highlighting sections.

Free resources like the College Board's old released FRQs (Free Response Questions) can be a valuable study aid.

No prep book is perfect, and their questions may not exactly match the actual AP Biology exam.

The value of a prep book depends on the effort you put into using it effectively.

The presenter will provide a guide on creating a study plan for the AP Biology exam.

Transcripts
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