Princeton Review: Cracking the AP: Biology, 1999-2000 Edition [Paperback]

Steve Leduc (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 1999 | Series: Princeton Review: Cracking the AP Biology

WE KNOW THE AP BIOLOGY EXAM

The experts at The Princeton Review study the AP Biology exam and other standardized tests each year to make sure you get the most up-to-date, thoroughly researched books possible.

WE KNOW STUDENTS

Each year we help more than two million students score high with our courses, bestselling books, and award-winning software.

WE GET RESULTS

Students who take our courses for the SAT, GRE, LSAT, and many other tests see score improvements that have been verified by independent accounting firms.  The proven techniques we teach in our courses are in this book.

AND IF IT'S ON THE AP BIOLOGY EXAM, IT'S IN THIS BOOK

We don't try to teach you everything there is to know about biology--only the facts and techniques you'll need to know to score high on the Advanced Placement exam.  There's a big difference.  In Cracking the AP Biology, 1999-2000 Edition, you will learn 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 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

Practice your skills on the two full-length sample tests inside.  The questions are just like the ones you'll see on the actual AP Biology exam, and we fully explain every answer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kim Magloire received a degree in Biology from Princeton University.  She is now completing her doctorate in Epidemiology at Columbia University.  As a teacher for The Princeton Review, Kim has prepared hundreds of students for the AP Biology test.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review (January 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375752862
• ISBN-13: 978-0375752865
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,007,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor Review Book, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Princeton Review: Cracking the AP: Biology, 1999-2000 Edition (Paperback)

This book was my least favorite and least helpful AP Bio review book this year. This book's only goal (unlike most other test preps) is to be a quick review made specifically for passing the AP Bio exam. This goal prevents the book from giving very much detail on any of the subjects of AP Bio. It wants to help you get a 3, not a 5. The book is filled with informal jokes and mneumonic devices, which were clever, but Biology should not be learned in this manner. After a long process was described, the book would say, "The ETS (Educational Testing Service) will not expect you to learn the steps of this process," or after talking about molecular genetics, "The ETS loves to test genetic engineering;" these statements were frequently incorrect. The book was concerned only with teaching to the AP test, not teaching useful Biology so that you will remember it. This may sound good if you need to cram, but the level of detail is not sufficient to do well on the test, especially the essays. What kept me from giving this book 1 star is that it has an average amount of practice questions compared to other review books. If you are a middle-of-the-road student who would like to make a 3 on the AP test and forget everything you learned about Biology the day after the test, this book might be for you; however, I really think your money would be better spent on another AP Bio test prep.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent study guide if you're in a hurry, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Princeton Review: Cracking the AP: Biology, 1999-2000 Edition (Paperback)

If you want to score high on the Bio test or if you just want to learn more about Biology, this book is definitely the best study aid. I had a pretty good biology background because I read the standard AP Bio book, but this prep aid concentrated on the important aspects and I think that really made taking the test an easy task. I got a 5 on the test without breaking much sweat because the book covered most everything that was on the test. Read it about 2-4 weeks before the test and you should get a 4 or 5. However, I also recommend reading the textbook while taking the course if your teacher is not so great because the book is real in-depth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not for those who want a 5 on their exam., February 6, 2000

By 

"quiggles" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Princeton Review: Cracking the AP: Biology, 1999-2000 Edition (Paperback)

My dad bought me this book last year and I was really disappointed with it. The problem? The intellectual level of the book is for someone who has never taken biology before and knows nothing about it. If that's where you're coming from, this may be useful, but don't expect to get above a 2 on the exam. The majority of material on the test simply isn't covered in this book - it gives general explanations, but none of the important details you will be tested on. The only part which I found helpful was a listing of the required labs (helpful hint: there is *always* an essay question about one of the labs). There are also several practice tests which are good. But overall, I'd recommend something else - I didn't end up buying any other books but I looked at a few of my friends' and the Cliff's Notes one seemed good (check out the reviews for that and see what other people said.)