How I studied for bio and my opinion about Kaplan’s bio and Schaum’s bio

[Gasedo]

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After reading the text book cover to cover I studied Kaplan book, and I found bio section written in an extremely basic manner. I am talking only about the bio section, and I think if someone takes the DAT after studying ONLY this book he would probably get around 16. My opinion. 🙂
I also finished Schaum’s bio and I found it very helpful. Not too much unnecessary info like in the text book, and not too rudimentary like Kaplan.
From what I read on this forum, bio DAT questions are not that straight forward and are more related with example rather than just definitions. Am I right?
Many of you who took the DAT were very frustrated that you got questions on the test out of no where. I am curious if any felt this way after he studied Schaum’s bio.
Thanks for any input, and good luck to you all!
😍

 

[issa]

don't say that. kaplan bio section suppose to cover more than 80% of the questions in the dat. i am not going to review bio using the kaplan book because i want to review all the notes i took in both of my biology courses. this is the best way to review for bio.

 

[Mrxle3]

I used only Kaplan bio, scored 21.

 

[fldnstrm]

I primarily used Kaplan and scored a 19. I was concerned, however, because I felt like I got a 15. I guess I knew just enough to guess a few correct. I felt like some of the questions were random, but If you learn all of the rudimentary stuff in Kaplan really well, I think you can do well. Each person is different, I have a friend who scored a 23 in BIO and used only the Kaplan blue book, which he read 3 times.

 

[bennijai]

It depends on the persons background in education. Obviously a bio major can probably go through Kaplan and still score a 20 but for non science majors it is advise to use other supplemental material like Cliff's or Shaums.

 

[panda22]

do you study bio by taking notes? or do you just read everything over and over again until you get it?

when i write notes down, i find myself re-writing everything i have read. i dunno if this is very useful to me b/c i feel like i am just writing a lot and not understanding.

i feel i learn better if i read one thing a lot of different ways. for instance, reading a chapter of cliffs ap bio and then reading the same subject material from kaplan. is this a better strategy than writing things down?

 

[yumi43]

i am wondering what the cliffs AP bio book is that everyone is talking about because i see several versions at barnes and noble. can someone tell me which one i should get? thanks.

 

[bennijai]

panda: I just read it until I can recall it without looking at the book.

yumi: As for Cliff's, get the latest version.

 

[jay47]

do you study bio by taking notes? or do you just read everything over and over again until you get it?

when i write notes down, i find myself re-writing everything i have read. i dunno if this is very useful to me b/c i feel like i am just writing a lot and not understanding.

i feel i learn better if i read one thing a lot of different ways. for instance, reading a chapter of cliffs ap bio and then reading the same subject material from kaplan. is this a better strategy than writing things down?[/QUOTE]

This DEFINITELY works best for me. That's exactly what I would do if I were you then.