With the popularity of AP courses among high school students, many students and parents are looking for good AP-level books to help prepare for the exams. This article will provide an overview of the best choices of AP-level books and why they are recommended by top scorers.
Barron's AP books - comprehensive content review
The Barron's AP series is highly recommended for its comprehensive content review. Each subject has its own review book that covers all the topics on the exam in detail. Students can use it throughout the year for concept review. The content is presented in easy-to-digest portions and there are practice questions reflecting the format of real AP exams. Using Barron's books allow students to fully grasp the knowledge.
The Princeton Review - exam strategies and practice tests
The Princeton Review AP books are known for test-taking techniques and strategies. Students can learn shortcuts, time management skills and how to approach different types of questions. There are analysis of previous real AP exams and explanations for the answers. The books also come with practice tests that simulate the real testing experience. Mastering the strategies can help students earn extra points.
5 Steps to a 5 - structured study plans
The 5 Steps to a 5 AP books provide students structured study plans according to their available time until the exam date. There are plans for 2 months, 1 month or even 1 week before exam. The content review and practice questions are also designed around the study plans. This series suits students who don't have much time left and need an efficient way to prepare.
CliffsNotes - concise reviews
For students looking for concise reviews, the CliffsNotes AP books are a great choice. They extract the most important facts and concepts of each subject into condensed outlines. The content is presented in an easy-to-read format with useful graphics. Practice exercises are also available to test understanding. These streamlined books are handy for quick reviews.
There are many excellent AP-level books and the suitable ones depend on each student's needs. The key is to pick books that build AP knowledge while improving test-taking skills. Using good books together with AP courses will lead to AP success.
