AP Biology advice

[SteinmetzMD]

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So I just enrolled in AP Bio for my senior year, and immediately people start telling me how awful it is. I'm actually kind of excited for it, I want to go into more detail on how life (Cells, DNA, etc) works at basic level. So I'm trying to stay positive!

Do any of you guys that have been through AP Bio have any advice? Is it mostly memorization, or formulas, or what? And how far in-depth does it go in terms of ecology and zoology? Thanks!

 

[californicati0n]

There's a lot of reading, but most of the tests will be application of the knowledge you learn. At least that's how it was with me. So my advice for you would be to not just memorize the material, because that won't help you at all. I think there's only like one chapter about ecology, but I might be wrong...and I don't even remember if we learned zoology hahah
Don't worry too much about it; from what I remember, the class was hell for the people who didn't like the subject material. I personally loved the class, so putting in the work wasn't half as bad for me as it was for those that hated it. Have fun!!

 

[SteinmetzMD]

Since its a college credit, will medical schools see my AP Bio and AP Spanish grades 4 years down the road?

 

[FantasyVesperia]

I don't want to scare you, but this stuff is a lot to handle. The best advice I can give you is to stay on top of things. It's really easy to get behind. I was excited too because we have a cat dissection after the AP exam on Monday 😀. Also to agree with the above poster, it's not all memorization anymore. There are still things that you have to memorize, but the main goal of the new curriculum is to focus on the main four points of AP biology and use that to analyze, explain and apply to many different situations. One tough chapter is the DNA and biotechology, there is SO MUCH to cover, and applying it can get difficult. You don't study zoology in the AP biology curriculum. Ecology in AP biology isn't hard, it's just a little more information than a regular biology course. To go along with the new curriculum, there's math. The math isn't hard, it's incorporating it with the subject matter that's hard. You'll get an equation sheet front and back on the exam. You'll use equations like: chi square, population growths, water and solute potential, h-w equations and etc. The AP exam contains 63 multiple choice and they included 6 grid-in questions. Instead of 4 LONG essays, you'll have I think 8 short answers and 2 essays. It's a big change from the old exam. Overall, this class is really fun, but you have to put some work into it, or you will suffer. Many students who usually don't study for anything, have to study for this class.....so just study.

 

[Yazo]

I'm also interested to see what people will say; I'm also hoping to take it.
Stein, think colleges will look better at you with AP Bio? Because I've also heard it's hell.

 

[YankeesMD]

Since its a college credit, will medical schools see my AP Bio and AP Spanish grades 4 years down the road?

No

 

[Tolbert]

No

👍 i love it when someone is frank and actually DON'T try and beat around the bush

 

[SteinmetzMD]

No

Hahaha that's what I'm talking about! Good!👍

 

[MiamiMed10]

Don't worry about the class. It will be easy and most of the useless chapters will not be covered, i.e. plants. My only advice to you is, complete everything the teacher assigns you 😀

Not true, I'm pretty sure they changed the curriculum this year. Plants went into pretty deep detail for us. My advice is preview the chapters the night before so that you can ask questions as your teacher is lecturing. I started doing it at the end of 1st semester and it seemed to help. I've gotten an A both semesters, so it is obtainable, but i must say that you have to work for it... best of luck!

 

[Baller MD]

So I just enrolled in AP Bio for my senior year, and immediately people start telling me how awful it is. I'm actually kind of excited for it, I want to go into more detail on how life (Cells, DNA, etc) works at basic level. So I'm trying to stay positive!

Do any of you guys that have been through AP Bio have any advice? Is it mostly memorization, or formulas, or what? And how far in-depth does it go in terms of ecology and zoology? Thanks!

It's easy. Memorize.

 

[YankeesMD]

It's easy. Memorize.

With the new AP exam curriculum you really can't rely on brute memorization anymore. It will only get you so far. If you want a 5 you have to understand the concepts and make connections between them on an analytical level as well as on a factual level.