CliffsNotes AP Biology

 (7 customer reviews)

This book is a great review for AP Biology. I'm self-studying for the test and it does a great job explaining all of the concepts. The CD is also great; it includes the entire book in PDF format, so you can take the book with you on your laptop!
A must-have for AP Biology students. Other books over prepare and cause you to remember superfluous information that isn't tested on. Stick with Cliffs, study it well, and you should do great!

Covers a lot of concepts and provides plenty of practice with SIX AP bio tests. All the tests and the chapters are on the CD so you can have them on your laptop. Only two of the tests are in the book though.
Cliffs has essays and multiple-choice questions at the end of each chapter too.

Cons: No index! and few diagrams.
Pros: Worth it for all that test practice - if you have the time.

We used this along with Barron's 2010. The latter had 3 tests (1 diagnostic and 2 at the back) and is better for the diagrams and more user-friendly, spacious layout.

Don't forget to check out the collegeboard AP Bio links for past exam papers (essay questions). As you cannot practice with real past mcqs - these review books are invaluable.

I slept almost every day in my Ap Bio class and did no homework or reading. I barely got a B in the class. Friday night I bought this book, and spent all day Saturday and Sunday reading it and doing the practice tests. Monday morning I woke up and took the AP bio test. A couple months later I got my score back and what do you know? I GOT A 5!!! This book is awesome. Do not expect these results if you are stupid though; you will have to actually read and pay attention. 5/5