Customer Reviews

Barron's AP Statistics

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book isn't all that great. I bought it in hopes of refreshing my memory, and since AP Statistics has some intricate details to it, this book doesn't really go into them. The chapters contain A LOT of examples which helps the student see the different types of problems he/she can encounter, but there is little explanation of general ideas. The author relies a lot on defining terms through examples and through few words. The chapter questions in the end are also flawed because the answers turn out to be those that AREN'T covered by the author in the chapter reviews. In addition, the way the chapters are broken up are incoherent and inconsistent to follow, and you end up running to (again) examples of ideas than the actual definition. I thought that this was fine because in the end, I could grasp the concept, but it turns out I'll just be memorizing the different questions the AP test could ask than actually understand the concept.

My best bet is that this book is good for taking the 6 practice tests, but for general review, one should get the CliffsAP Statistics or even The Princeton Review.

The Barron's book initially got good reviews on the previous editions, but this one doesn't live up to that. I'm ending up buying another book and dropped this book for studying for the AP Exam that's in 3 weeks.

~Hope my review helped (:~

Barron's books tend to have a more cramped style than Princeton review and are unpleasing to the eye, but the content in this book is just plain better. I am writing this review after receiving a 5 on the AP Statistics exam after using this book. Its explanations of key concepts are better than Princeton Review's, which tend to be confusing at times, which is enough for me to dislike it. Princeton review also assumes that you are stupid and give formulas that are unintuitive but get you the answer. Due to the cramped style, I'd recommend you give yourself a bit of time to get used to it and slowly look through it; it will serve you well.

I found this book great review for the topics covered on the AP exam. After going through the textbook chapter, i would usually read the Barrons to reinforce it. But I must admit that the Barrons summary of the topics are a little brief, and might be confusing if you do not know what they are talking about. I would not recommend solely reading Barrons, but rather reading your textbook (or possibly 5 Steps to a 5) to understand the topic first before going to Barrons. Barrons always adds more in depth explanations and key points that may have not been included in the textbook.

As for the practice questions, they are really well written. Though they seem hard, and are actually harder than the ones on the official exam, they prepare you well. If you can answer these questions, you are going to ace the real ones.

I would highly recommend this book (along with your textbook) to prepare for the exam.

Lots of practice problems and in-depth answers to question, as well as the method of obtaining the answer.
Best when an instructor is helping you with the problems and guiding you through the process of the problem.

I never liked AP Stats. To me it was a boring, watered down class that paled in comparison to more interesting math classes like AP Calculus. So, during the course of the year, I didn't really bother to learn the stats. The teacher gave us these ridiculously detailed formula packets WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND DEFINITIONS, so the in-class tests were essentially a joke. Great for grade inflation, but lousy for when you want to take the standardized AP Stats exam which affords the tester no notes. It was about a week before I took the exam that I turned to Barron's.

The subject matter is very well explained. Heck, it's clearer than the presentation in Utts, and the problems are actually worth doing (AP level and above in terms of thinking needed) unlike those in elementary stats textbooks. So as I diligently worked for about 4 hours per day during the week before the exam, I found myself quite knowledgeable about statistics and even began to see that it wasn't as boring as I thought it was.

The book covers absolutely everything you need, from the various tests to how to use the calculator. The problems make SURE you understand the stuff and have it burned into your head come test day. The practice tests, while MUCH harder than the AP stats test I took for real, gave me a good sense of the distribution of the topics as well as what it's like to do stats problems in the "real" time limit. Overall, this is a very comprehensive and well written guide and will help you do well on the exam. If you're interested, I got a 5.

Good luck!

Dr. Martin Sternstein has outdone himself again. With each new edition, this fabulous review book includes more topics, better explanations, more practice problems based on recent AP exams, improved rubrics, and better technology. This review book is far and away the best on the market. Professor Sternstein is a true master teacher. I use this review book religiously both throughout the school year as well as at test prep time. My students have been running a 90% pass rate on the AP Statistics exam - which compares nicely to the national 60% pass rate. Use this book - you won't regret it. Teacher Tip: Use this book in conjunction with Dr. Sternsteins flashcards - the kids love them!

As I said it's very long so you should start early. Some of the lessons are very confusing because it's not what my teacher taught me but most of the lessons were a good refresher. Of course, you could just buy this for the tests because those were good too.

My daughter has been using this book for a few weeks now and says it is helping her much, much more than other similar AP books she has tried.
this is the book recommended by teachers. It has the same test Q and A that my daughter's teacher uses in class. Great book.

The problems are challenging and thought-provoking. Definitely a good study tool! They are a great deal more difficult than those on the actual AP exam, however. This book expects a lot of detailed knowledge that simply is not needed on the exam.

The reviewed subjects are only somewhat helpful -- but what is best is a numerous number of practice tests.