Which AP study books should I get? Princeton Review, Barron's, Cliff Notes...?

Question

I need AP study books for the following courses:
Biology
US Gov and Politics
Microeconomics
English Literature and Composition
Psychology

What are the best study books for each of these subjects? I have heard that Princeton Review, Barron's, and Cliff Notes are all excellent, but I don't know which to get. I also need flashcards, and would like to know which of those are best as well.
I will be taking these exams in May so I need concise and thorough reviews! :-) Thanks!

Answer 1

In response to both your question and the poster above me, here's my personal AP book list, as compiled by me, my friends, and past test taker suggestions:



Comparative government: Ethel Woods study guide



U.S Gov – Princeton Review



Economics – Princeton Review only



Environmental Science – Smartypants guide to environmental science/ Awesome guide to Env Sci. as an alternative



Calculus – Princeton Review



Literature – REA



Art History – The Annotated Mona Lisa



Biology – Cliffs



AP eng Lang – Cliffs



World History – Princeton Review



European History – Modern European History



U.S History – Amsco



Human Geography – Barrons



Chemistry – Princeton Review



Psychology – Barrons



Physics – Princeton Review



Stat - Barrons



Computer Science: Barrons

Answer 2

I got the Barron's Psychology review book and it's really good, it almost corresponds to the textbook I use in class, and there are review questions after every chapter which I like.

I got the Princeton Review Biology book a couple years back and it was really comprehensive, there is also review questions after every chapter.



I got the Barron's flashcards for AP US History and I'm using them now. I like them a lot, so I would trust them for the flashcards for your other subjects too.



The best way to see which book suits you best is to go to the bookstore and actually flip through the books yourself.

Answer 3

I don't take AP Bio so I wouldn't know, but a lot of my friends take it and they use the AP Bio For Dummies book. I'm not sure of the others, but let me know if you find anything for US Gov and Politics or Microeconomics (I'm taking them too!)

While we're on the subject, I was going to ask a similar question so I hope if it's OK to just generally ask which would be the best study book for each AP course? maybe we can make a running list?



referring to the poster below:

Thanks! Would the Princeton review be best for micro AND macro economics? Also, does anyone know any good books for the languages (Spanish, French, German, Latin (both), Chinese, Japanese, etc)?

PS. The AP Bio book I was referring to must be the Cliffs one, not the Dummies version (if there even is one).

Answer 4

I'm taking AP Biology right now, and many experts and my teacher, have recommended cliffs. I'm also in English Language and Composition, I'm using Princeton Review for that, and it's decent. For the others... I really don't know...

Answer 5

Microeconomics Cliff Notes