As your AP exam approaches, you may have noticed that there are a number of AP study guides on the market. You may also be asking yourself which one is the best AP Book. The answer to that question lies in this article, which will explain the pros and cons of the major AP study guides.
Disclaimer: While this article is partly an editorial based on my experience from taking eight AP exams, it also draws on the experience of other students and various professional reviews.
Princeton Review
By far the most popular review book, Princeton Review boasts of “proven techniques from the test-prep experts.” I recommend Princeton Review to students who have a firm grasp of the material on their AP exam.
Pros:
- Princeton Review provides a broad review of the topic on the AP exam.
- It is fairly easy to find cheap copy of a Princeton Review AP book second hand.
- The review AP tests provided in the AP book do a good job of mimicking the real AP exam.
Cons:
- Many students believe the review is too broad.
Barron’s AP
Barron’s, the main competitor of Princeton Review in the AP study guide market, promises that they are “The Leader in Test Preparation.” Barron’s is a great book for students who do not completely understand the material or who have never had a formal course in the subject matter.
Pros:
- Barron’s provides an extensive review of the topics on the AP exam.
- Used copies are quite cheap.
Cons:
- Barron’s has a tendency to heavily cover topics that are barely covered on the test.
- The practice AP tests in the Barron’s review book are often harder than the real test.
Cliffnotes (Cliffs AP)
While Cliffs AP is a less popular choice, many students find it helpful. Their lack of popularity has nothing to do with their quality and I recommend them to a student who feels the cliffnotes style is best for them.
Pros:
- Many of the books can be bought in PDF form, which means you can buy them the night before the exam if you need to.
- They generally offer a comprehensive review of the material.
Cons:
- It is considerably harder to find cheap used copies of Cliffs AP books (If cost is your first priority you should buy a used copy of Princeton Review or Barron’s).
- The review questions and practice AP exams in the Cliffs AP books tend to be easier than the real AP exams.
SparkNotes (Power Pack)
SparkNotes is not well known as an AP review resource, therefore I recommend it purely as a supplement to other review material.
Pros:
- They often come with flashcards.
- Many students find them useful for quick review.
Cons:
- Many complain that they do a poor job of explaining the concepts.
- It is hard to find a cheap used copy.
- SparkNotes does not offer Power Packs for all subjects.
College Board does not publish traditional review book. Instead, they publish test guidelines and copies of old exams. These should only be used as supplemental information.
Pros:
- The AP exams that College Board sells are real exams and they will give you a good idea of what to expect on your exam day.
- They come from the College Board, who creates the AP exams.
Cons:
- Many students feel that they are a waste of money. You can find old free response questions on the College Board website, along with sample multiple choice questions. In addition, your teacher may already have copies of the old exams.
Kaplan
The quality of Kaplan’s review books varies widely depending on the subject. Therefore, I will not fully review it here. It is my recommendation that you read the Amazon reviews for the Kaplan book that you are planning to buy and base your decision off of that.
When choosing an AP study guide, remember that you may want more than one review book to study from. Paring a Princeton Review book or a Barron’s AP book with one of the lesser books will guarantee that you are fully prepared. Good luck on your AP exam!
