Still, it's a good baseline resource for content! I wouldn't recommend relying on it completely as your only source of review material, since many students felt that it didn't give them all the tools they needed to do well on the exam. All rights reserved. On the one hand, you won't have to rely on memorization as much. Unlike other test preps, REA’s AP Biology Crash Course gives you a review specifically focused on what you really need to study in order to ace the exam. Recently, the test was updated to focus less on information recall and more on analytical thinking, which can be good and bad. This book does a good job of outlining a study plan for the test, so it might help you in structuring your prep time. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. If you're in an AP Biology class and already have access to a textbook, I'd definitely recommend this book as a study aid for the exam. Fall Term 2019. This section is for AP Biology books that aren't the greatest but that you might already have or plan to buy because you're most familiar with the prep companies that make them. I'll provide pros and cons for each book along with an overall summary of what it offers and whether I recommend it. AP Biology Living Environment Forensic Science Mr. Sprague AP Biology Exam Review Sheets ... AP Biology Exam Review Sheets Spring Term 2020. Biology for AP ® Courses covers the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester Advanced Placement ® biology course. These books can still be somewhat useful, but I'd advise that you supplement them with other review books I've rated higher (see above). During the One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose to take in high school (in conjunction with how well you do in those classes). Be sure to review this one! It's written at a high level, but, according to student feedback, it appears that most people have found it relatively easy to understand and generous in its use of diagrams and examples. The format of the AP Biology exam was modified in 2013 and again in 2020; as a result, some books have kept up with these changes better than others. All books are in clear copy here, and all files are secure so don't worry about it. Our team of PrepScholar admissions experts have compiled their knowledge into this single guide to planning out your high school course schedule. The review chapters offer you a concise way to learn all the important facts, terms, and biological processes before the exam. The avg score on these was very low: 36%. This book is OK as far as content goes, but it's not that easy to use as a review tool overall. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: © PrepScholar 2013-2018. Most AP Biology students earned enough pts to get a 2,3,4, but very few scored well enough on the grid ins and free response to score a 5. My assessments of these AP Biology books are derived from Amazon reviews by students and educators as well as my personal impressions after perusing them. Learn more about the pros and cons of AP classes versus community college classes and which option might fit better with your needs. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, 'b8868328-25ad-4976-9f3f-6f24fa4b2b20', {}); These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. DNA Replication and Cell Cycle (pages 23 28) V. Ecology and Behavior (pages 29 37) VI. Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Biology for AP ® Courses was designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the College Board’s AP ® Biology framework … When choosing from this list of AP Bio books, you should consider your individual needs as well as the nature of the test. Plants and Photosynthesis (38 47) *Second Semester Google Doc found here. Students sometimes complain that the book is overly dense and wordy, It's pricey—but you can buy a used version for about $50-$100 cheaper (or rent for $20), Includes high-quality free-response and multiple-choice questions at the end of each chapter, Effectively highlights the most important things you need to know about each topic area, Encourages readers to make connections between topics, which is critical on the exam, Because this book was published in 2017, its content doesn't align exactly with the new 2020 format of the AP Bio test, Material and difficulty level aligns well with the format of the exam (lots of molecular and cell biology questions), Is accompanied by online resources that give you even more practice testing opportunities, It's not so great if you're self-studying for the test, as you'll want to have some background knowledge before diving into practice questions (though the answer explanations will help you), Includes sections with information on test-taking strategies and how to answer different types of questions, Includes a detailed overview of all the labs and major content areas (with review sections) at the end of each chapter to help you retain the background information you'll need, Many reviewers commented that the book was informative but didn't necessarily prepare them well for the AP Biology test, Covers all the basic information you'll need to know for the exam, Practice questions help you memorize key facts and concepts, The overall layout is pleasing to the eye and might be easier to read than other less well-designed review books, Students complain that there's too much superfluous content and that the book is sparse on important test-taking tips, Practice questions are mostly fact- and memorization-based and do not fully prepare you for the analytical format of the AP Biology test, Guides you through the creation of a study plan that fits your needs, Covers the four "Big Ideas" in the AP curriculum and has plenty of information about the facts you'll need to know for the test, Starts with a high-level overview of how to plan out your studying and how to use the book effectively, so it's easy to follow, Walks you through the process of designing a study plan for your individual needs, Has an extensive section on test-taking tips, including, Text in the content review section is broken up so it's easy to read and not overwhelming—, Key terms and practice questions are provided at the end of each content chapter, Information isn't as in depth as it should be, Practice questions might be less difficult compared to those on the real test, Is structured around the four "Big Ideas" on the AP Bio test, making it easy to follow and keep track of what topics you're struggling with, if any, Has a very detailed review of concepts with, Some students might not like the fact that the review questions are divided by the four "Big Ideas" in AP Biology and not by smaller chapter sections—this makes it more difficult to use the book as a focused review tool, Tries too hard to relate to students and writes some test-taking tips in an oblique way (e.g., one of the tips for free-response questions is "Writing Smart Stuff Gets You Points"—it's simplified to the point where it doesn't even mean anything without reading the rest of the wordy explanation).