CliffsAP Biology (Cliffs Ap Biology)

~Detailed sections focusing on varying concepts with review questions after each section--very useful!

~Two complete practice tests at the end of the book to make sure you are thoroughly prepared for the AP test.

~Finally, the book covers the details regarding all 12 labs that may appear on the AP test.

During study sessions with my friends, who had Barron's, Princeton Review, or simply a text book to review from, we all agreed that Cliff's was a necessity; Barron's (6th Edition) was too detailed with obscure information, lacked "big picture concepts," and was ultimately frustrating with its typos and confusing diagrams. Princeton Review (2002-2003 Edition) lacked the information necessary for the AP test and missed important concepts.

In all, I highly recommend Cliff's AP Biology book for AP class tests and/or for the AP test.


A Biology Major's Recommendation   August 8, 2002
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

This book is both a wonderful resource for the AP Biology exam AND as a class supplement to both High School and Introductory College Biology classes! As a senior in high school I found this book while hunting for AP Bio Test Prep Supplies and bought it right away! It had everything I wanted:

-Easy to understand overviews of test subjects
-Practice tests
-AP Bio Experiment outlines and results
-Essay questions
-Tips for taking exams
and more!

Using it as a study supplement I was able to get a 5 on my AP Biology exam, and, surprisingly, an A on my Biology final exam as well! I liked it so much that I brought it with me to college and used it to study for all of my Introductory Biology classes as well!

As a Biology Major I have found this book to be an invaluable tool. I've gotten so much use out of this one book and feel that I have definitely more than gotten my money's worth. I would recommend it highly as not only an AP Test Prep book, but to anyone who wants to get a clearer understanding of General Biology at either the High School or College level.


Get this book NOW!   August 10, 2002
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

With the help of this amazing book, I got a 5 on the AP Biology test- no problem at all. This book was a lifesaver. The textbook we used for the class was horrible (Keeton and Gould's Biological Science), I read like one chapter the whole year. I stuck to my awesome teacher's lectures/notes (I love you Mr. Van Loo!) and this book. It provides such a great review of everything you need to know for the test and for your class. The mini-quizzes are a great help, and they come with explanations for every question. EVERYONE in my class had the Cliff's, and for good reason. Near AP cram time, all you would see is big, bright yellow books! The only other book people had was Princeton Review, and there were many complaints that it expects you to know everything already and that there were some MAJOR errors. I think almost EVERYONE in my class passed the AP test, most of them with 5's! I highly suggest getting the Cliff's over any others- you'll be on your way to that 4 or 5!


for the procrastinator   January 8, 2005
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is a very good review book. It is fairly small, but full of information. Unlike many other ap bio books, this has explanations for the labs (which are crucial in the ap test). It is also categorized, so you can just flip to the section you need the most help on instead of wasting time reading topics you are already familiar with. The practice test seems easy, but focuses on what you need to know for the test. Everyone in my class bought this book because our teacher wasn't so good. I waited until the weekend before the test to read it. I ended up just skimming through it and doing the practice test. The questions and the essay at the end of each of the section are pretty much a way of giving the reader a condensed summary of the section. I mostly just read the essays at the end of the section because of my lack of time to read the section. Every student in my class got a 4 or 5, only because of the book not the teacher who only got us to chapter 5 in a book that contained 35 chapters. I personally got a 4, if I read the whole book, I think I would have gotten a 5. This book has everything you need to pass the test. Definitely recommended.


wonderful reference for your AP biology class   July 11, 2001
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

i just got my score for the bio test and earned a "5". i was soo happy and i think this book was a wonderful help in my studying. i listened well in class and came home and reviewed with this book. that worked out to be a strategy for my learning. this book closly followed our real textbook (cambell's biology) and including a great lecture on every subject

-read this book and garunteeed a "3"

-really read and follow along for a "4"

-review throurouly before the test and take as many practice exams as possible for a "5"

-better than princton and barrons for the sheer amount of info on every thing.

-only one practice test so get some from your teacher.