Cliffs ap bio- edition comparison

[RespectDent]

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First and foremost I want to say that I am very cost driven when making a decision. I know $15 bucks isn't that much to cash out for the book, but I recently found on amazon that 2nd edition you can get for as little as one cent ( plus shipping fees). My question is how similar are the different editions? Has anyone taken the time to compare editions to see how similar thy are. If they are closely similar, my plan is to go for the second edition.

 

[emorypredent]

The books are tailored to the AP exams, so I doubt either is particularly better suited for the DAT. Surprisingly, there have been some recent classification changes in biology that might result in different information in the two books....but that wouldn't impact someone prepping for the DAT since we are not bound to a specific curriculum.

Bottom line: I don't think edition matters, but keep in mind this book is just a refresher/brief overview. You need MUCH more to do well on the DAT bio section.

 

[Hawkteeth]

Edition doesn't matter, I would recommend picking up the Kaplan book as well, it goes over some stuff Cliffs doesn't.

 

[CedarZ4]

The books are tailored to the AP exams, so I doubt either is particularly better suited for the DAT. Surprisingly, there have been some recent classification changes in biology that might result in different information in the two books....but that wouldn't impact someone prepping for the DAT since we are not bound to a specific curriculum.

Bottom line: I don't think edition matters, but keep in mind this book is just a refresher/brief overview. You need MUCH more to do well on the DAT bio section.

Have you taken the DATs or are you just giving misinformed opinion? True, Biology section can have questions from left field, but most of the questions and topics that will be asked IS covered in APCliffs Bio 3rd Edition (or Barrons AP Biology). Also, in regards to the classification change (namely the Domain) this was back in the early 1990s... doubt the 2nd edition is that old.

OP: If you want to save money, the APCliffs Bio 2nd Edition should be enough. I haven't looked at that book personally, but knowing book publisher, they probably just changed the cover and moved the order around. Information should be very similar and up-to-date (let's be honest, DAT Biology is very basic, and those haven't really changed at all otherwise the whole foundation of Biology crumbles...). If you have the money, definitely buy the 3rd Edition (there may even be a 4th out now), but I don't think getting the 2nd Edition will be the reason you do poorly.

Secondly, I second Hawkteeth's suggestion about Kaplan DAT Blue Book (KBB). Definitely get it to supplement your Biology review. APCliffs, KBB and maybe Barrons will be enough for the Biology section, despite being AP books. However, practice never hurts and I would also recommend DATQVault as well.

 

[emorypredent]

I took the DAT and got a 22AA, 23 on both chem sections but my bio was only a 17. I read Cliffs 3 times. It helped but it was by no means enough.

 

[shootingstar7]

I would most certainly supplement your BIO review with another review book besides Cliff's. It doesn't cover everything.

DAT destroyer is another must.

 

[bluemoon27]

if your trying to be cost savy like me, you can actually get it from the public library. mine had it (yes the third edition) so I got it and saved the money haha =)

 

[Hawkteeth]

You could get the PDF version fo free!

 

[RespectDent]

if your trying to be cost savy like me, you can actually get it from the public library. mine had it (yes the third edition) so I got it and saved the money haha =)

Probably going to check that our today! I never even thought about that.... Thanks for the help!

 

[CedarZ4]

I would most certainly supplement your BIO review with another review book besides Cliff's. It doesn't cover everything.

DAT destroyer is another must.

APCliffs, KBB, and DATQVault is more than enough for Bio. You can't really prepare for all of it, anyway, unlike Orgo and GenChem. I found DAT Destroyer Biology to be pretty useless, but the Chemistry sections were invaluable. However, given that my major was in Biology, other people may need more review than I needed so looking into other supplemental sources will definitely be beneficial.

And yes, free is better Hawkteeth-

Brooklyn Technical High School offers the full 3rd Edition APCliffs in PDF File. Google them (BTHS APCliffs). I'd provide the link but am unsure of the copyright laws behind posting copyrighted material.