3.95 lakh students enrolled in AP in 2022 for the numerous benefits that it offers. But one needs to be wise in choosing AP classes as there are hardest AP and easiest AP classes depending on some factors. And AP bio is considered hard. Very few students study the subject and pass the exam. In 2022 only 15% of the enrolled students scored 5 while 68% of students passed the exam. But AP Bio can boost one's GPA immensely. Studying AP Biology becomes easy and effective if you have the proper resources. Here is a list of the 7 best AP biology books to help you prepare and score a perfect 5 in the AP Biology exam.
Top 7 AP Biology Books: 2023
1. Princeton Review AP Biology Premium Prep
Publisher: Princeton Review
Year of Publication: 2021
Number of Pages: 448
Rating: 4.6/5
Princeton Review AP Biology Premium Prep is one of the most recommended books for aspirants to prepare for the AP bio test. Like all other Princeton books, this book has also maintained the standard of providing in-depth insight into the subject. This book helps to score a perfect 5 because it thoroughly covers all essential materials. It also comes with a chapter on the study strategies and tactics for the course.
What the Book Contains
Five full-length practice exams, 4 of them with the book's print copy and 1 available online
Four full-length practice tests in the book with detailed answer explanations
Two full-length practice tests online with detailed answer explanations
End-of-chapter key term lists to help more in your studying
Pros and Cons
Pros
The study guide is up to date to address the changed pattern of the recent AP Bio exam
It contains vast numbers of practice questions with explanations
The book includes 2 online practice tests
It shares tips and strategies for tackling recent exam patterns
Cons
On purchasing old books, some pages may appear to be missing
This book is one of the most expensive books on the list
2. Barron's AP Biology
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
Year of Revised Publication: 2022
Number of Pages: 456
Rating: 4.5/5
Barron's publication has shouldered the fame of publishing books for concise and beneficial study for 80 long years. This AP Biology book is no exception. It includes an in-depth, topic-oriented substance.
What the Book Contains
It has 5 full-length practice sets; 2 in the book and 3 more online.
It covers all units of the AP Bio Exam.
The book contains multiple-choice and short and long free-response practice questions in each chapter that helps reflect on the exam questions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy to understand explanations
Includes tips for taking tests for the actual exam
Additional CD-ROM or flashcards are also available as study material
Cons
Additional CD-ROM comes with extra charges
Some units are outdated as the exam standard has changed
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3. Sterling Test Prep AP Biology Review
Publisher: Sterling Test Prep
Year of Publication: 2018
Number of Pages: 592
Rating: 5/5
Written by the best authors, Sterling Test Prep AP Biology Review is an excellent aid for preparing for the AP bio test. As AP Bio is considered hard, one must have the best resources to understand the subject and score high. Sterling Test Prep can be the choice for its to-the-point discussions covering all the units of the exam.
What the Book Contains
The book thoroughly reviews each topic tested on the AP bio exam
Sterling Prep covers foundational principles and theories to answer in the test
It contains a scientific analysis of the topics to help the students build concepts on the subject matter
Pros and Cons
Pros
Reading this book guarantees a high score on the exam
It has an easy-to-read language
The book contains a detailed review of the units
Cons
The book contains no practice questions
Not all sections are updated in the new format of the AP Bio exam
4. Kaplan AP Biology Prep Plus
Publisher: Kaplan Test Prep
Year of Publication: 2020
Number of Pages: 648
Rating: 4.4/5
Kaplan AP Biology Prep Plus is a comprehensive study guide for many students. It has been revised recently to match up with the newly changed AP Bio test. This new edition has many new additions. Let us know what those additional data are.
What the Book Contains
The new edition features hundreds of practice questions in the book
It includes complete explanations for every question, and a concise review of topics to boost your confidence
In the book, test-like practice comes in 3 full-length exams with pre-chapter quizzes and post-chapter quizzes
Customizable study plans help you make the most of your study time
Pros and Cons
Pros
The Prep Plus includes test papers and questions with detailed explanations
The online test has a scoring tool to convert the raw score into an AP scale
Cons
The book has many oversimplified questions
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5. Campbell Biology
Publisher: Pearson
Year of Publication: 2017
Number of Pages: 1488
Rating: 4.4/5
Campbell Biology is a great study aid for students to structure their learning and go forward. This well-designed, in detail, study-oriented book makes one exam-ready in no time.
What the Book Contains
The Study Guide provides concept maps, chapter summaries, and a variety of interactive activities such as multiple-choice, short-answer essays, and graph-interpretation questions.
This study guide can build a conceptual framework for the study of biology.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Each book chapter has a sample paper and quiz section at the end
The textbook is well structured and condensed to help out the students
Cons
It is one of the most expensive books available for AP Biology
The book includes a few explanations and problems
6. CliffsNotes AP Biology
Publisher: Cliffnotes
Year Publication: 2020
Number of Pages: 336
Rating: 4.8/5
Cliffnotes caters organised ideas of AP Biology. It provides a review with an explanation of formatting and enables students to approach the subject and exam with a clearer view. It gives you exactly what you require to score a perfect 5.
What the Book Contains
Cliffnotes include concise chapter reviews on every AP Biology subject, in-depth laboratory investigations, and full-length model practice exams.
Moreover, it features a guide focusing on what AP Biology test-takers need to score high on the exam.
It has two full-length model practice sets for the AP Biology exam.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Every chapter consists of review questions with answers for better understanding
It contains all laboratory investigations with detailed explanations
Cons
Some students find it difficult to understand the organisation of the book
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7. AP Biology Crash Course
Publisher: Research and Education Association
Year of Publication: 2020
Number of Pages: 256
Rating: 4.6/5
The crash course is a prerequisite in the list of books while preparing for the AP exam.
What the Book Contains
The book includes strategies to face one of the hardest AP.
It also consists of mini-tests.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The book is written by AP Biology experts
Cons
The book needs to be better for intense preparation
FAQs Can I self-study AP Bio? If you know how to prepare for AP and have all the study guides and practice tests with you, you can easily self-study AP Bio. Is AP Biology the hardest? Yes. AP Bio is hard. The subject of AP Biology is easy to study, but it becomes difficult to score in it due to tough questions. 68% of students pass the AP Bio exam in 2022, with 15% having a perfect 5. Do colleges accept AP Bio? The answer to the straightforward question is yes. Approximately 2068 colleges accept AP Bio scores. Among them, 192 colleges accept a score of perfect 5. Which is the easiest AP? The easiest AP depends on a few factors. According to the pass rate, the easiest AP is Physics C: Mechanics, and as per students, the easiest AP is AP Computer Science Principles Is AP Biology worth it? Of course, AP Bio is worthy of pursuing. Taking the subject can boost GPA helping in earning college credits. It makes admittance to colleges easier as it is accepted in a number of colleges.
