AFTER eight months of extensive learning and late night studying, the judgment time has come. In the first two weeks on May, some students will test their knowledge in various Advance Placement classes. Besides their notes and teachers’ help, many students rely on review books to summarize the concepts for them or get a crash course days (or sometimes hours) before the exam. Based on opinions of students, experts, and teachers, the Aragon Outlook presents a critique of the best and worst review books on the shelves to help you choose.
AP United States History
AMSCO Publication is neither too general nor too detailed. It is very comprehensive with important analyses and mini-sections on how historical interpretations have changed over years. At the end of every chapter, it includes one essay question, review questions, and list of terms. Cons: Since it is very comprehensive, reading it cannot be rushed. It will take at least two to three weeks to finish it. Moreover, it only has one practice exam and does not come with an answer key.
Princeton Review is a very quick read, but to the point. It is good at summarizing ideas in the simplest form and getting a general view of the topics. At the end of the chapter it has a short multiple-choice question. At the beginning, it offers good strategies for multiple choice and essays. There are two practice exams at the end with answers and explanations. AP U.S. History teacher, Doug McGlashan says, “The Princeton Review is excellent. I like their quick approach and sample questions.” Cons: It is not very comprehensive or detailed.
Barron’s is very detailed and includes a chronological summary of time periods. It is great for learning specific events and terms. It also has sample questions and essays with explanations and strategies. Like Princeton, it has two full length practice exams with answers. Cons: It is very comprehensive and will take weeks to finish. It might also be hard to find general themes, and there are details that might not even be in the test. Barron’s will not work for a “crash course.”
AP Psychology
Barron’s has organized and concise information. It offers analyses of sample essay questions from previous AP exams and has three full-length practice exams. The flashcards version is also a good review of various terms and psychologists. Cons: It is not a good idea to try to use this a few days before the exam since it is 400 pages.
5 Steps to a 5 offers three customized study plans, which the students can choose from. It also reviews all the concepts and key terms in Psychology. It includes practice tests that are similar to the real one. It has shorter definitions and example, making it a quick read. Cons: It is not very detailed and requires that the readers already have a pretty good understanding of Psychology.
Princeton Review has mini tests to refresh the reader’s memory and help in self-assessment after every section. It has two full length practice exams with detailed answers and explanations and guides the reader on how to write great free response question responses. It also organizes other Psychology information into charts and tables. Cons: It is very concise and not as extensive as other review books.
AP Physics
Princeton Review is very thorough and easy to understand. It covers all of the AP Physics topics and provides a straight-forward approach that clearly identifies what you need to know to pass the exam. It is very concise and doesn’t take a long time to read. Cons: Some sections are explained too briefly or are not shown as thoroughly as other concepts. The “electricity” and “magnetism” sections are not as complete than the “mechanics” section.
Kaplan is a good option for testing yourself. Doyle says, “It has appropriate practice questions that are closest to the AP questions, especially the multiple choice. It has chapters in different topic areas as well as comprehensive topic tests.” Cons: It might not have as many strategies and explanations as other review books.
5 Steps to a 5 takes a conceptual approach towards AP Physics. It breaks down the math in a way that is easier to understand from a different point of view. The practice questions are difficult but relevant to the AP exam, and the side notes and diagrams are often entertaining and hilarious. It organizes the concepts in a logical way that is easy to follow and only shows complicated math problems when necessary. Cons: Because it is concise, it may skip over some of the minor details on the AP exam.
AP Calculus AB&BC
Peterson’s is perfect if you are looking for a humorous explanation of Calculus concepts. For instance, in the book’s first edition, the author writes, “If asked to find the derivative of f(x)=sinx + cosx, you should have no trouble by now. You wouldn’t need to furrow your brow and scratch your chin like a gorilla trying to determine how to file its federal tax return.” Overall, it explains convoluted problems in a simple manner. Cons: Some of the concepts may be harder to understand due to the satirical writing.
Princeton Review features a comprehensive review of the topics and updated strategies. It contains over 400 practice questions with answers and explanations. It has five full length tests: three for AB and two for BC. The explanations are thorough, clear, and less confusing than the textbook. Cons: The questions might be easy compared to the actual AP questions.
Barron’s is very detail-oriented and comprehensive, and its 10 chapter review will be helpful in walking through the concepts. It includes four practice exams for AB and another four for BC. All the questions are answered and explained. It also offers advice on how to make the best use of the graphing calculator. Cons: It might be difficult to use for someone who does not have a good foundation of the topics in Calculus. It does not simplify the concepts, and the problems are complicated. It is similar to reviewing the classroom textbook.
AP English and Composition
Cliffs AP Guides has very detailed examples of multiple choice questions that help analyze passages. It also offers a short literary terms list, which is helpful for studying for multiple choice. For the essays, it provides examples and explanations of how they are scored. It also offers a diagnostic mini-test that assesses a student’s strengths and weaknesses. It includes five full length tests. Cons: The second edition of this book does not provide any synthesis essay questions. Try the third edition instead.
Barron’s features an overview of what students need to know about language and rhetoric. It also gives advice on how to answer the multiple choice questions and a guide to writing essays, including the synthesis essay. Scored sample essays are also included. It also has five full length tests with answers. Cons: Barron’s is most helpful for those who struggle with the writing section.
5 Steps to a 5 provides a choice of study programs, from a preparation months before the exam to last minute crash courses. It is jam-packed with strategies and tips that will help in interpreting and analyzing concepts and terms. It has practice tests and previous exam questions. It is written in a very simple manner but has a very clear explanation. Cons: This review book tends to oversimplify the multiple choice questions.
AP Biology
Cliffs is very concise yet provides enough information for students to pass the exam. It also uses language that is easy for anyone to comprehend. It provides strategies for answering the multiple choice questions and free response. At the end, it has 12 laboratory AP exercises and two full length tests with answers and explanations. Cons: Since it is detailed and points out small facts, some larger ideas can be forgotten.
Barron’s has a detailed and well-organized presentation of the topics. There are free response and multiple choice questions at the end of every topic. It also provides a decent amount of charts and diagrams and an extensive laboratory section. It has three full length tests with answers and explanations. Cons: The diagrams can be hard to follow and may seem superfluous. It contains a few errors concerning classification.
5 Steps to a 5 has three customized study programs from which you can choose. It also includes practice exams that are similar to the AP. It is very simple, comfortable, and humorous to read. Cons: It might not be the best for the writing sections since its explanations are brief at times. It can also be used as a supplement for a more comprehensive and rigorous review book.
