Which AP Biology Prep book is best? WATCH this video BEFORE buying a prep book for AP Bio!
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
- ๐ Match the prep book to the current AP Biology exam course description, ideally published in 2020 or later.
- ๐๏ธ Consider the price and whether you prefer a physical or digital version based on your study habits.
- ๐ Check the ratio of practice questions to content explanations to ensure it fits your study needs.
- ๐ The Princeton Review is a popular choice with comprehensive content and practice tests.
- ๐ Baron's offers a detailed breakdown with lots of practice questions and is a cost-effective option.
- ๐ Five Steps to a Five has a diagnostic exam and good organization, though it may not be as popular.
- ๐ Kaplan sometimes offers their resource for free and provides a good selection of practice questions.
- ๐ Cliff Notes AP Biology prep is an affordable choice with a structured breakdown of content.
- โ Actively use the prep book by doing practice questions and applying study tips for the best results.
- ๐ Utilize free resources like the College Board's old released FRQs for additional practice.
- ๐ซ Remember that no prep book is an exact match to the actual AP Biology exam questions.
- ๐ 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
๐ 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.
๐ 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
๐กAP Biology Exam
๐กPrep Book
๐กStudy Plan
๐กPractice Questions
๐กContent Description
๐กDiagnostic Exam
๐กFull-Length Practice Tests
๐กStudy Tips
๐กPrice
๐กPhysical vs. Digital Version
๐กCollege Board
๐กReleased FRQs
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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