Book Description
CliffsAP study guides help you gain an edge on Advanced Placement* exams. Review exercises, realistic practice exams, and effective test-taking strategies are the key to calmer nerves and higher AP* scores.
CliffsAP Biology, 2nd Edition, is for students who are enrolled in AP Biology or who are preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology. Inside, you’ll find hints for answering the essay and multiple-choice sections, a clear explanation of the exam format, a look at how exams are graded, and more:
- A topic-by-topic look at what’s on the exam
- A review of all 12 AP laboratory exercises
- Must-know AP Biology essay questions.
- Typical answers to free-response questions
- Loads of illustrations, graphs, and tables
Sample questions (and answers!) and practice tests reinforce what you’ve learned in areas such as molecular genetics, photosynthesis, and animal behavior. CliffsAP Biology, 2nd Edition, also includes the following:
- Chemistry of metabolic reactions
- Structure and function of cells; cell division
- Respiration, including the Krebs Cycle, glycolysis, and mitochondria
- Heredity, including crosses, dominance, and inheritance
- Taxonomy, with a survey of the five kingdoms
- Plants, including tissues, germination and development, root and stem structures
- Animal structure and function; reproduction and development
This comprehensive guide offers a thorough review of key concepts and detailed answer explanations. It’s all you need to do your best — and get the college credits you deserve.
*Advanced Placement Program and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.
Customer Reviews:
Great review book.......2007-09-26
The book was delivered on time, in great condition. This is a great review book for the AP BIO exam. It has very concise review information, followed by sample miltiple choices questions. It reviews each of the 12 required labs, also followed by review questions. Finally, it provides 2 sample tests for students to take and practice for the exam.
Not so hot.......2007-09-09
I used this book as a review for tests in my AP Biology class last year and found it to be somewhat lacking. I thought that it would be a good choice to read this when I didn't have time to read the Campbell textbook. BUT when I did do this, the tests covered WAY more. The Cliffs notes seem to just skim the top layer.
Also, I found the graphics to be extremely rough. I'm a visual learner and the diagrams were just convoluted and messy.
While there are several organized charts (i.e. hormonal glands), I would reccomend the student study quide for Biology. This is made by the makers of the Campbell textbook. Each chapter--each section--is outlined for you so that you can review the key topics.
Nicely Organized.......2007-09-08
This is the most thorough out of all the AP Biology study guides and I really liked the way it is organized. It has both multiple choice and essay questions at the end of each chapter. This is the best AP study guide for biology.
The ONLY AP Bio book you need.......2007-08-10
This book is great. I received a 5 on my AP test, and trust me, my teacher sucks. Phillip Pack offers concise, informative explanations that serve as good preview and review tools for your coursework. I recommend using this as a SUPPLEMENT, as sometimes it does not go into too much detail.
I swear my teacher reads this. Sometimes the lectures are so similar to the same chapter it's obvious.
Purchase this book.......2007-08-07
I found reading this book and answering its questions while covering the material in class to be incredibly helpful. The content is thorough, and it covered several topics that were never discussed in my class (which happened to turn up on the exam). Most importantly, this book is easy and entertaining to read. Buy it at the beginning of the year and let it guide you through your tests and quizzes as well as the exam. I owe my 5 to this book.
Book Description
Scoring high on the AP Biology Exam is very different from earning straight A's in school. We don't try to teach you everything there is to know about biology--only the strategies and information you'll need to get your highest score. In Cracking the AP Biology Exam, we'll teach you how to
·Use our preparation strategies and test-taking techniques to raise your score
·Focus only on the biology topics that are likely to be covered on the test
·Memorize complicated biology concepts using simple techniques
·Test your knowledge with review questions for each topic covered
This book includes 2 full-length practice AP Biology tests. All of our practice questions are just like those you'll see on the actual exam, and we explain how to answer every question.
Customer Reviews:
The Book That Gives Hope.......2007-09-16
First let me start off with a background. I was a junior when I bought this book and I was barely pulling C to C+ in my AP Biology Class. The Class seemed standard and the teacher was great. My problem was that, as interesting as biology was, I found it hard just to memorize so many things in such a short period of time ( The textbook was 2000+ pages!)
The time to take the AP test came and I needed to review. I was starting to look for more of a 3-4 then the 5 i wanted. I bought this book in hopes of just passing the test. Well this book did that and much more. What this book has to offer is tremendously useful. After taking the test, I saw that this book went over just the things that were the MOST important topics of the exam ( about 60% of the AP biology topics take up 80-90% of the exam).
This book goes into detail on the important topics which is split up into chapters. After each chapter is a chapter review test which helped you remember each topic in a very strategic way. It sound pretty typical but they way the book is constructed helps you remember TREMENDOUS amounts of information in its relatively short review section ( roughly 3/4 of the book the last 1/4 is a Practice Test)
I was pulling a C in the class but I managed to get a 5 on the AP Biology test. Just think about what wonders it can do for you. I bought the other CliffsAP review book and that one turned out to be pretty much useless to me. I highly recomend this book if it is the only book you can afford to buy for this Class.
NOT WORTH IT!!!! GET CLIFFS .......2007-06-15
Princeton Review claims to be the mecca of test prep! Well I WOULD CERTAINLY DISAGREE WITH THAT CLAIM BASED ON THIS BOOK! It over summarizes everything + while the pictures and diagrams look nice and all they aren't gonna get you that 3, 4, or 5!!! I mean sure the overall summary of the concepts is correct but the AP exam is really tough.... i know because i just took it!.... and they will expect you to know everything in a great level of detail!!! Especially with the labs.... This book summarizes each lab in 1 paragraph... ha!!! Cliffs does pgs. for each one + tells you exactly what ETS wants! Also the test questions and practice look nothing like the AP
IF YOU WANT TO DO WELL STOP + GO TO WHERE YOU CAN BUY CLIFFS!!!
This book isn't going to help you at all! Spend your money on something better!.......2007-06-12
I agree with everyone who says this review book is TRASH. Honestly, it has so little necessary information for the exam, that you could've just taken the exam without ever studying. I just thank God that I used a Barron's in conjunction with this book. The Barron's makes complicated concepts so easy that a caveman could understand them. Not only that, but it goes into detail and highlights key concepts that you'll need to know for the exam, unlike the Princeton Review. This book does have practice tests, which are always good to do, but that's about it. If I recall correctly, the book has about a page on the Immune system. A PAGE!!! Barron's on the other hand had around 10. Seriously, this book does close to nothing in giving information essential to doing well on the exam.
So, to summarize everything I just said, Princeton Review is horrible and I'll never use another review book by them again, AND go with either a Barron's or Cliff's because they actually know what they're talking about and will prepare you for the exam.
Great Book!.......2007-06-03
To do well on the AP test, you can't depend completely on this book. you should also take a comprehensive AP Bio course during high school. It is best to use this book through out the school year along with your Bio class materials. If you know everything on this book, you will definitely do well on the multiply choice portion of the test. However, if you did not use another AP Bio textbook and depended completely on this book, you might not do as well on the essay portion. For example, this book does not cover the different kinds of biotechnologies really in detail. But on the 2000(I don't remember the year exactly) AP Bio test, one of the essay questions asked you to talk about several biotechnology tecniques (such as PCR, southern blotting etc.). Overall, this is very good book. The wording is very easy to understand and straightforward. It is not boring to read this book (unlike some of the other ap bio prep book, such as barron's) and the book tells you everthing you need to know (for multiple choice portion). Another thing I strongly recommend for studying ap bio test is McGraw-Hill's Biology Essential Study Partner. I think this program can be found online (like in google). This program accompany the biology textbook by Raven (but you don't need to read the textbook to use this program). I am pretty sure you will get a 5 on the ap bio test if you studied everything on Essential Study Partner and Princeton Review's Ap Biology.
The Perfect Review Book.......2007-05-16
This book drew the line at what I actually needed to know and what was unimportant for the AP Test. I feel that it helped me review all the major points and really contributed to my performance on the exam.
Book Description
An exciting new series of study guides that lets each student design a course of study pitched to his or her individual needs and learning style
Each year, more than one million U.S. high school students take one or more advanced placement (AP) exams, and, according to official projections, that number will continue to rise in the years ahead. That is because AP exams confer important benefits on those who do well on them. High AP scores are indispensable to gaining admission to most elite colleges. They provide students with a competitive edge when competing for grants and scholarships. And they allow students to bypass required university survey courses, saving on skyrocketing tuition fees.
Designed to coincide perfectly with the most current
AP exams, Five Steps to a 5 on the Advanced Placement Examinations guides contain several advanced features that set them above all competitors. Each guide is structured around an ingenious Five-Step Plan. The first step is to develop a study plan, the second builds knowledge, the third and fourth hone test-taking skills and strategies, and the fifth fosters the confidence students need to ace the tests. This flexible study tool is also tailored to three types of students. For the more structured student there is a "Month-by-Month" approach that follows the school year and a "Calendar Countdown" approach that begins with the new year. For students who leave studying to the last minute "Basic Training" covers the basics in just four weeks.
Other outstanding features include:
- Sample tests that closely simulate real exams
- Review material based on the contents of the most recent tests
- Icons highlighting important facts, vocabulary, and frequently-asked questions
- Boxed quotes offering advice from students who have aced the exams and from AP teachers and college professors
- Websites and links to valuable online test resources, along with author e-mail addresses for students with follow-up questions
- Authors who are either AP course instructors or exam developers
Customer Reviews:
Concise, excellent format, very easy to read.......2007-09-12
With efforts, 5 steps to a 5 does what it claims to do. That being said, students need to thoroughly go through this guide and go back and read the parts that they don't understand clearly in the textbook. This book is excellent if you're short on time (say, a week to two weeks to review for the AP Exam). The AP Exam does not include too much details (what Barron's would always do), so 5 steps to a 5 is great at generalizing the big picture. It also has exclamation marks whenever there are very important concepts to remember, and also offers where the essays would usually fall on. I used this book and got a 5 on the AP Bio exam, but I also read my textbook and used this book as a last minute review. The Cliffs AP Bio review book is excellent as well. I find their questions the closest to the actual test.
Very Helpful.......2007-03-18
Bought this for my son who is struggling with AP Biology. He wasn't happy about it at first, but has really enjoyed this author's presentation and practical explanations. He says the book presents the information in an easy to understand and remember format. Now, we just have to see how he does on the test!
the best book to review with .......2007-02-13
this book is really good. it covers all the topics in the AP EXAM.
IT HAS A STUDY PLAN FOR EVERY KIND OF STUDENT.
I REALLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ALL THE STUDENTS TAKING AP BIOLOGY.
LAST YEAR, I WAS TAKING AP BIOLOGY. AND THANKS TO THIS GREAT STUDY GUIDE I PASSED THE AP EXAM.
This book got me a 5!.......2006-10-30
No kidding! This book is seriously the best out there. Trust me- I took the class and the test, and I got a five. It's very readable and actually pretty fun to read! I did some research on the author and he's a great guy- and this shows through his book! I seriously did not study beyond this book for any of the tests after I started using it- and I (am not kidding when I say that I) got 111% on about 85% of my tests in total- this figure is including the several ones beforehand- meaning that I was well above the class average- and typically thats not the case.
Trust me when I say that you do NOT need anything else than this book (regardless of what others say0- well, besides your text book. If you do what I did and you do ALL the homework in this class, than you are almost guaranteed a nice plump 5 on the test and an "A" in the class- remember how its weighted? Thats a 5.0 people!
The key features that you might want to be aware of: The end of each chapter has a very in depth, but none too long, summary. The strategies work well- especially the "bottom hour glass" ones. And... Fun to read! It really feels like the author.. his name escapes me... is speaking to you with a fun tone, rather than just a book making you sleep. Trust me here too- I know those books. Too well.
You will learn from it.......2006-09-26
Though this probably isn't the only book you'll need, whatever your teacher gives you throughout the year will fill in the missing gaps. I read this entire book and got a 5 on the exam.
This book does give a good general review of everything, your teacher should help you with the details. In some cases it will teach you some things you'll be happy to know. In general, it will organize everything you need to know and probably already have learned. This book is a must for review.
I should mention I took AP Environmental Science at the same time as Bio. These two classes overlapped very much. I used a lot of my APES info on the Bio test. For those of you not taking APES at the same time, this book does tell you the things you need to know about ecology and behavior type things. That's what's nice about this book.
This book has a lot of good features and will help you do your best on the test and in the class!
Book Description
Your complete guide to a higher score on the *AP Biology Exam
Why CliffsAP Guides?
Go with the name you know and trust
Get the information you need—fast!
Written by test-prep specialists
About the contents:
Introduction
- Describes the exam's format
- Gives proven strategies for answering multiple-choice and free-response questions
5 Full-length AP Biology Practice Exams
- Give you the practice and confidence you need to succeed
- Structured like the actual exam so you know what to expect and learn to allot time appropriately
- Each practice exam includes:
- Multiple-choice questions
- Free-response questions
- An answer key plus detailed explanations
- A guide to scoring the practice exam
*AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.
AP Test-Prep Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes®
Customer Reviews:
Short and Sweet.......2007-03-09
These Practice Exams will really get you ready. My son got college credit for both semesters of Biology. As a Zoology major myself, I was impressed with the brevity yet thoroughness of these exams. They really helped him get ready.
Book Description
*2 full-length practice tests
*Diagnostic test to target areas for score improvement
*Detailed answer explanations
*Proven score-raising strategies
*New online component with additional practice and help
*Sample essays for Free-Response questions
*Targeted review of all labs and tested subjects including cellular energetics, molecular biology, and ecology
*Key terminology defined in context
*Glossary of biological terms
Book Description
This updated test preparation manual now includes a CD-ROM that presents virtually everything that is in the book, including its three full-length practice exams with questions answered and explained. An in-depth review of all AP Biology test topics covers biochemistry, photosynthesis, cell division, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, plants and animals in Earth’s ecological system, and laboratory procedure. Students will also find an enlightening overview of the AP Biology exam as well as study tips and test-taking advice.
Customer Reviews:
ap bio.......2007-05-12
this class is rediculous. its hard and most likely you will get a one on the exam. no worries. the book helps, but i'm too lazy to read it.
AWESOME!!.......2006-07-07
I took AP Biology in my sophmore year. Over the year in the Biology class, I hardly understood anything and had many difficulties. I did not learn much biology in the class because my teacher apparently did not know how to teach and I'm not sure if she knew what she was talking about. Time passed by and I knew that the AP exam was coming up and that in order to do well on it, I had to study myself. Three weeks before the exam, I started studying . I bought this book and finished it off in a week. I then read the Princeton Review AP Biology book, which was not nearly as helpful as this one was. I finished off by reading the Cliff Notes AP Biology which was slightly better than this book. Anyway, thanks to all that reading, I got a 5!
This book has excellent practice questions and practice exams. The section after each chapter was also helpful. My suggestion--get this book and the cliff notes ap biology book and that's all you need to ace the exam. You may also want to get one other book to get some extra practice. Good luck!
Book Description
This completely new Advanced Placement test prep manual presents several full-length, up-to-date practice examinations with all questions answered. An extensive subject review surveys principles of biochemistry, then focuses on cells, photosynthesis, cell division, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, plants, animals, and ecology. Each section is followed up with multiple-choice and essay questions. A final review section covers laboratory procedure. Added features include an overview of the AP exam, grading, test-taking advice, and a glossary of biology terms.
Customer Reviews:
GOOD.......2007-05-30
Very good prep, you will probably get a 3 or 4 just reading this book cover to cover. It has good uncomplicated review. If possible buy Cliffs too and use both. They go hand in hand.
Poor in diagrams.......2006-04-28
If you don't want to refer back to your school textbook for each topic as you are going through your AP book, don't buy Barron's. This book includes half of the necessary diagrams. You may have to imagine what a mitotic spindle is and what shape the cell takes at each stage of mitosis, because no diagrams are included in the mitosis section! Same with other topics. I already know most of the AP Biology topics, so I am only reviewing, however I still have to have my school textbook ready every time I open Barron's. My suggestion, buy it only if you have always been a good biology student and you need the questions,not the subject review part of the book.
This book is a winner as long as..........2005-12-30
...you have already checked out the Princeton Review and Cliffsnotes books. Much of the material is presented in an extremely comprehensive organized manner, with GREAT diagrammatical representations (fancy for "picures"), especially for Cell Respiration. I KNOW that people have various learning styles, so be sure to check out the P.R. and Cliffs books. P.R. is more "in your face" (with their aggressive test-taking strategies, etc.) tailored with humor so if you are that kind of learner, then go with the Princeton Review. Cliffsnotes has some of the best review sections, with great diagrams as well. Barron's has no humor in their books, and takes a more "plain-ol'-science approach", while offering the best organization on the market. Another great thing about this book is FOUR practice exams at the end of the book BUT they arent written in College Board format, though it contains pretty similar content. Just keep these pointers in mind when choosing what book to help you ace the AP exam. Peace and good luck
not as bad as they say it is.......2005-12-24
people always say the cliffnotes version is better,but that's not entirely true. This one is much more organized and has lots of graphics. I am using both to study for my unit exams, and i have a 97% in the class. don't bother with the textbook because it's long and impossible to comprehend.
Very Helpful.......2005-09-12
This book was so helpful for me. I bought it for summer review and it was SO worth it. Unlike text books it gets right to the point and it was very easy to use and read. I haven't tooken my IB test yet but I know I will use this book for studying!
Book Description
The Princeton Review realizes that acing the AP Biology Exam is very different from getting straight A’s in school. We don’t try to teach you everything there is to know about biology–only what you’ll need to score higher on the exam. There’s a big difference. In Cracking the AP Biology Exam, we’ll teach you how to think like the test makers and
-Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool you
-Improve your score by knowing in advance what biology topics are most
likely to be tested
-Memorize complicated biology concepts using simple techniques
-Use the Three-Pass System to get the most out of your time
-Ace the Essay section by practicing on our sample essay questions
This book includes 2 full-length practice AP Biology tests. All of our practice test questions are like the ones you’ll see on the actual exam, and we fully explain every answer.
Customer Reviews:
best prep book.......2006-08-03
I love princeton review series. they are the best best best. I used this book sophmore year to prep for AP bio. I didn't read the whole textbook only up to chapter 25, but this book helped me get a 5. You need to know everything in this book to do well. learn all the diagrams and every vocab. good luck
really great.......2006-07-24
I would recommend this book to anyone taking the test. I used it to study for the AP exam in 2006 and crammed 90% of the book the day before. I'm really happy with the result because I got a 5 from it. This was the only book I used.
great book.......2006-05-09
This book is really great just like all of the other princeton review book. I took the AP test yesterday, and just want to point out to everyone that as long as you read this book and do the practice tests, you don't need anything else. It's a great book with great info and great everything. Even though there are some mistakes on the practice tests.
Life saver!.......2004-08-28
I had a horrible AP bio teacher this past year and I pretty much had to study on my own to learn this stuff. I also bought the AP Bio Cliffs book, but I used that as a review after I finished each chapter in the Princeton one. The Princeton one gives great descriptions and teaches you in essay format, while the Cliffs just gives you bullet points, so the information doesn't quite flow as smoothly. Also, Princeton's "words to know" and quiz questions at the end of each chapter helped me so much! I scored a 4 on the test, which would have never happened had I not got this book!
Thank you, Princeton Review!.......2004-08-23
I basically paid $13 for a 5 on the AP Biology Exam.
At my school, there is no AP Biology course. Instead, there is simply an honors course. A few friends and I, enrolled in that course, decided that we would take the AP Biology Exam. We all bought this book and we all studied. People doubted us, as taking an AP test without the class is often a recipe for failure at our school. In the class, due to an adaptation in the schedule, we didn't even cover plants, protists, fungi, photosynthesis, or respiration. Most of the body systems were left up to us to study, as well.
Fast forward to July 1. Being impatient, I call AP to find my scores. I'm praying for a 3 in Biology, but lo and behold, a 5. How?
The book goes over everything. Every subject that the book could test for it covers. In addition, the tests help prepare for the same kind of questions. I didn't incur the same problems as another reviewer, who said there were incorrect answers, but all the answers are explained and I really did not have a problem. In any case, the AP exam doesn't ask for the correct answer; it asks for the best answer. This book even goes over the experiments, which we didn't even have a chance to do, and thus helped me do well on the essay section even though I hadn't ever done the experiment.
If you are taking the AP Biology Exam, buy this book. With a little bit of work and this book, getting a 5 really isn't too difficult.
Book Description
REA … Real review, Real practice, Real results.
Get the college credits you deserve.
AP BIOLOGY 7th Edition
Completely aligned with today’s AP exam
Are you prepared to excel on the AP exam?
* Set up a study schedule by following our results-driven timeline
* Take the first practice test to discover what you know and what you
should know
* Use REA's advice to ready yourself for proper study and success
Practice for real
* Create the closest experience to test-day conditions with 6 full-length practice tests
* Chart your progress with full and detailed explanations of all answers
* Boost your confidence with test-taking strategies and experienced advice
Sharpen your knowledge and skills
* The book's full subject review features coverage of all 12 AP Biology Labs, as well as all exam topics: chemistry of life, molecules and cells, botany, zoology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and more
* Key tutorials enhance specific abilities needed on the test
* Targeted drills increase comprehension and help organize study
Ideal for Classroom, Family, or Solo Test Preparation!
REA has provided advanced preparation for generations of advanced students who have excelled on important tests and in life. REA’s AP study guides are teacher-recommended and written by experts who have mastered the course and the test.
Customer Reviews:
Not worth your time........2006-06-04
The review on the topics is skimpy at best, and often outdated. The test questions are oddly worded, ask for extremely obscure data, and sometimes have wrong answers. And, the most striking mistake, the crudely drawn diagrams were mismatched to the questions.
I bought this because I didn't have a lot of time to look at books. I think, overall, it helped me focus on exam questions, but it's pretty useless unless you already really know your stuff. Also, it contains practically no advice on test-taking strategies.
I'd strongly recommend buying something else.
Not the best study aide.......2005-12-29
I bought some REA's books like AP US history, and i liked it because of its indept review of EVERYTHING, however i was very dissapointed in this book of AP biology. This book doesnt give in-depth review of Biology concepts for the exam. It is very brief and covers the whole concepts in less than 100 pages. Not the best review, and their practice questions arent that great neither, i recommend Cliffs AP, or Princeton Review.
Not Great.......2005-05-11
This book is not very helpful in preparing for the AP Test. This book does not go very in depth in reviewing and its practice tests do not really help you study because it makes you focus on obscure aspects rather than the important topics covered on the AP exam. Also, there were some errors (i.e. incorrect diagrams that have nothing to do with the question in the essay explanation). The Cliffs AP book is soooo much better. It has a great review and it really helped me study for the AP test.
Books:
- Biology (Cliffs AP) 2nd Edition
- Biology: Concepts & Connections with Student CD-ROM (5th Edition)
- Biology of Cancer
- Biology, Sixth Edition
- Biology, Sixth Edition
- Biology, Sixth Edition
- Biology, Sixth Edition
- Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (with BiologyNOW-Personal Tutor with SMARTHINKING, iLrn, InfoTrac® Printed Access Card)
- Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac)
- Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature
Books Index
Books Home
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General
| Education
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
CliffsAP 5 Biology Practice Exams (Cliffs AP)
Cracking the AP Biology Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Prep)
Biology, Sixth Edition
How to Prepare for the AP Biology (Barron's How to Prepare for the Ap Biology Advanced Placement Examination)
Biology: Student Study Guide, Sixth Edition
