Reviewing the review books

Test preparation becomes more prominent as exam time approaches

 

By Marisa Reed
April 25, 2008

 

As the year progresses toward the two-week A.P. examination marathon May 5-16, hundreds of students schoolwide and nation-wide begin preparation early, both on their own and in their classes.

 

While practice exams surface in class, individual review offers more personalized help, and review books can target weak spots and explain them in a new way.

 

So which review book prepares students the best?

 

As with any sort of review, the answer depends on the student, subject and type of help that needs targeting.

 

Princeton Review guide books offer a more detailed review section, but Barron’s follows up its more brief reviews with specific practice questions related to that material.

 

A good review book gives more than one complete practice exam with explanations of the correct answers.

 

Another key component to the A.P. exam is the free-response section, which can be difficult to prepare for without an outside guide. Some Barron’s review guides offer essay prompts after each review section, while Princeton Review books tend to host broader questions together after the full-length practice multiple-choice section, which are conveniently close together but not as helpful in terms of specific review.

 

With four of the most popular A.P. subjects schoolwide reviewed by guide, this review offers a quick look at not only key features that make the best stand out from the rest, but also at what the rest offer that could be more helpful to individuals’ differing study styles.

 

In short, students should find which guide works best for them in each subject they plan on reviewing for, because not all review books, even and especially those made by the same company, were created equal.

 

Biology 1. The Princeton Review - $18 2. Barron's - $17 3. Kaplan's - $18   The best bet: The Princeton Review two practice exams; 12 review chapters with quizzes and key words; and helpful tips for the free response Others’ features: Barron’s offers break-out “remember?” boxes in the margins

Government 1. Kaplan - $18 2. Barron's - $17 3. The Princeton Review - $18   The best bet: Kaplan two practice exams; 15 review chapters; key terminology; and sample free response questions and possible answers Others’ features: The Princeton Review offers a Constitutional review in a neat format

Psychology 1. Barron's - $17 2. The Princeton Review - $18 3. Kaplan - $18   The best bet: Barron’s two practice exams; 15 review chapters with practice multiple choice questions; and essay writing hints Others’ features: The Princeton Review offers practice questions in margins of its review chapters Statistics

Statistics 1. Barron's - $17 2. Kaplan - $19 3. The Princeton Review - $18   The best bet: Barron’s eight practice exams, 15 review chapters with practice multiple choice and free-response questions; and formulas and calculator hints Others’ features: Kaplan offers an extensive glossary