Barron's AP Calculus with CD-ROM (Paperback)

~ Shirley O. Hockett (Author), David Bock (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Both Calculus AB and Calculus BC are covered in this comprehensive AP test preparation manual. Prospective test takers will find four practice exams in Calculus AB and four more in Calculus BC, with all questions answered and explained. The manual also provides a detailed 10-chapter review covering topics for both exams. Students who purchase this version of the manual, with its enclosed CD-ROM, will get two additional practice tests, one in Calculus AB, and the other in Calculus BC. Tests on the CD-ROM come with answers explained and automatic scoring of the multiple-choice questions. The authors also offer an overview of the AP Calculus exams, which includes good advice to students on making best use of their graphing calculator.

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)

The book presents four practice exams in Calculus AB and four more in Calculus BC, with all questions answered and explained

A detailed 10-chapter review covers topics for both Advanced Placement exams

The Enclosed CD-ROM presents an addition full-length practice test in Calculus AB and another in Calculus BC, all with answers explained and automatic scoring of the multiple-choice questions

A helpful overview of the exams includes advice on making the best use of your graphing calculator

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 9 edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764193287
• ISBN-13: 978-0764193286
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #292,152 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars calc AB student, April 18, 2008

By	Steve - See all my reviews

This book has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it has an incredible amount of practice problems (organized by chapter) and is well organized in that topics and practice problems specified for "just BC students" are well marked(However, arc length is on the AB syllabus, not just BC as this book says it is). The book also provides four practice tests for both AB and BC, more than you will find in any other Calculus prep book.

However, many of the practice problems found in the "end of the chapter practice problems," as well as in the practice tests, are not representative of questions that have come up on previous AP exams. In my AP Calc class, we did every college board released multiple choice section since 1978 as well as every free-response question given in the past 10 or so years. Though the practice tests given in this book are okay, and will provide good practice, it is evident Barrons did not do enough research into the AP Calculus exams themselves. Many of the problems (though not all), are either too difficult, or simply too different from questions that you will actually encounter on the AP test to be very helpful.

I gave this book three stars because it CAN be helpful if used as extra practice-- as a supplement to any in-class preparation. However, I strongly discourage purchase of this book if you 1. don't have a good foundation for most of the calculus topics or 2. aim to self-study for the exam. As already noted in previous reviews of Barrons AP Calc prep books, their subject review is hard to understand, muddled with confusing language-- Barrons simply makes no attempt to simplify their explainations. Furthermore, their "answers explained" sections at the end of practice problem sections and practice tests are short, often only one sentence long, rendering them useless most of the time.

The last complaint I have for this book is that Barrons provides no "AP scoring chart" for you to self grade and find your corresponding AP grade (1-5) at the end of a test. Granted, the other calc prep books I've looked at don't either, but it's an annoyance to not know where you stand after taking a practice test for 3 hours.

For those looking for better topic review, I would try Peterson's "Master the AP Calculus AB and BC" book. I hear the authors review is simplified and easier to understand for someone not so familiar with the material. For those who are familiar with the material and who want extra practice, this book isn't half bad, it is well organized and has unlimited practice problems--just don't get scared off by some of the tougher problems. The best practice, however, is past AP exams. Ask your teacher/school if they have any of them; if not, they're available on collegeboard.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Product, April 30, 2008

By	K H - See all my reviews

Ths is a good product. The CD is nice to help you with a practice test. This is the book that my teacher recomends. This is a good resource to help a studet prepare for the AP Calculus exam.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book will take you into the weeds, July 10, 2009

By	Kūlia - See all my reviews

Having performed well in calculus at an Ivy League school a few years ago, I purchased this book to brush up on my math and am sorely disappointed. I think the majority of the practice problems are too difficult and are just taking me into the weeds. Yes, difficult problems can be nice to know how to solve, but only AFTER you've mastered the basics. I got the basics in college and am NOT getting them from this book.

If you have some free time and want to practice more advanced problems, this book may be for you. But if you want to focus your studies on practicing problems that reinforce the basic concepts of calculus, don't waste your precious time or money with this one.