The 4 Best AP Psychology Books Full Expert Reviews

The 4 Best AP Psychology Books Full Expert Reviews SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips There are many AP Psychology books that claim to be the best review tool for students; however, they aren't all telling the truth. Some review books might be better for you based on what type of student you are or the amount of guidance you need in your studying. In this article, I'll give you a list of the best AP Psychology textbooks and review books so you can find the one that will help you get your very best score on the AP Psychology exam. What's the Criteria for a Great AP Psychology Book? Before I list the best books for AP Psychology, here's a little information about what constitutes a good AP review book. First, you'll want to look at the organization of the book to see whether it's well-aligned with the AP curriculum. Content is extremely important, and an AP review book that has too much or too little information will put you at a big disadvantage. For the books on this list, I checked to see whether they included high-quality diagrams and whether their writing style made it easy for readers to understand complex concepts. I considered it a positive when a book had sections dealing with general test-taking strategies and instructions for creating a study plan, which are both great tools for students who need more guidance. Things such as diagnostic tests and instructions on how to use AP practice tests effectively were pluses, too. The quality of practice tests and questions is also very important. An AP review book can be well written and have all the content you need. But if its practice tests aren't challenging enough, you might be in for a nasty surprise on the real AP exam. Easy AP practice tests can cause you to overlook weak areas that would have been evident if the questions were more difficult. If you're unable to physically flip through these AP Psychology books before you buy them, looking at online reviews can be helpful. You'll get to see feedback from students who actually used the book and learn how successful (or unsuccessful) they were in meeting their score goals for the AP test. Although all the AP Psychology books listed in this article represent the latest editions, consulting reviews of past versions and feedback provided by teachers can give you a feel for the quality of a particular book. You've got the right idea, silhouette lady! Never settle for less! The Best AP Psychology Books Before we get to the list, I'll give you several types of AP Psychology books so that you can decide which one(s) to get based on your ability level and needs as a student. This guide mainly contains information on different review books because most students already have an AP Psychology textbook and are primarily looking for supplementary materials to help them prepare for the exam. Here's a list of each "best book" category I'll be covering: Best AP Psychology Textbook: This is a book many students can use as a basic reference for info on psychology topics. I've included it for the benefit of students who are self-studying for the AP Psychology test and who do not have a school-provided psychology textbook. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Any Student: This is a review book that will be useful for students at any skill level (high- or low-scoring). Best AP Psychology Review Book for High-Scoring Students: This is AP Psych prep book offers in-depth information, challenging practice materials, and a more hands-off approach to prep. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Low-Scoring Students: This is a prep book for students who might have had a bit of difficulty understanding the material in their AP Psychology class and need more guidance during the review process. The Best AP Psychology Textbook: Myers' Psychology for AP, Second Edition Cost: $150 for print, $110 for digital Myers is consistently the most popular AP Psychology textbook, mainly because it’s one of the only books that is written specifically for the AP class. It’s a well-organized book, and although it can be a little wordy at times, it has excellent diagrams and is overall a great resource for an in-depth review of the AP material. Pros The sections of the book correspond to topic areas that will show up on the AP Psychology test, so it’s easy to use for studying. It includes multiple-choice AP practice questions and questions that summarize the main concepts at the end of each unit so you can test your knowledge. There are lots of helpful diagrams and tables, and key terms are bolded and defined on the side of each page, so you don’t have to search through the text to pick out definitions. There's a timeline of psychology milestones in the back of the book to help you get a better grasp on when different discoveries happened. Cons The book is written at a high level (although it does have a bit of a conversational tone), so it might be difficult for less-prepared students to grasp some of the concepts right away. It's super expensive! However, you might be able to save a little money by renting it instead of buying it. Who Should Use This Book This book covers all the curriculum that will appear on the test, and it includes a wealth of helpful review materials. You might want to buy this AP Psychology textbook if you are studying for the test on your own (not taking an actual AP Psychology class) and want a more detailed source of information. You could also consider getting it if you hate the book you're using in class and feel that you would benefit from a different textbook. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Any Student: 5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology 2019 Edition Cost: $12 for print, $10 for digital The titular five steps included in this AP Psychology book are helpful for planning out your prep responsibly. One big caveat, though, is that you should supplement the practice tests in this book with other official AP practice tests to ensure you’re on track. Pros This book includes a clear, helpful introduction that answers any questions you might have about the AP Psychology exam such as scoring, format, content, and what you’ll need to bring on test day. There's a useful guide that tells you how long you should prep for the exam based on your personality and study habits. It then maps out detailed study plans for three different types of students. It gives you helpful tips on how to approach each type of question on the AP Psych test. Each chapter includes key concepts at the beginning and a "rapid review" section at the end that has a list of key terms and definitions. Content chapters thoroughly cover all the material on the AP Psychology test. The writing style is easy to follow and is organized in a way that breaks things down into easily digestible parts. Two practice exams are included at the end, along with an initial diagnostic test to assess your strengths and weaknesses. You can also access three additional practice tests online. Cons The practice questions seem a bit easier than real AP Psychology questions. The guide on how to approach questions could be less wordy, and it doesn’t go into detail about using the process of elimination for multiple-choice questions, which is an important strategy to include. Ultimately, learning to effectively eliminate wrong answers is one of the best ways to improve your score! Who Should Use This Book If you think you might need more guidance in your studying or are self-studying the course, 5 Steps to a 5 is probably a good book for you. It’s written logically and simply, and it does a great job of answering many of the questions students have about how to review for AP Psychology and what the test is like in general. Best AP Psychology Review Book for High-Scoring Students: Barron’s AP Psychology, 8th Edition Cost: $15 for print, $13 for digital Barron’s AP Psychology is a thorough and helpful guide for students studying for the AP Psych test. However, this isn't the best choice if you’re looking for a way to review quickly. Avoid this resource if you’re easily bored by the dry textbook style of writing. Barron’s is not lacking in good content, but it could be more exciting, and you’ll have to do a lot of the legwork in review sessions. Pros This book includes a diagnostic test and a "Multiple Choice Error Analysis" sheet to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. There are two full-length practice exams at the end of the book. You also get three more full-length tests, which are accessible online. The structure mirrors the format of the exam and follows the AP curriculum exactly (based on the percentages of questions in different topic areas that will show up on the test). There's a list of important terms and people at the beginning of every chapter (and in italics within the text so you can easily pick up on them). It includes a list of the most important psychologists you need to know (the â€Å"Fabulous 15†) so that you can focus on a few people more closely rather than trying to memorize a million different names. There are multiple-choice questions and answer explanations at the end of each chapter to quiz you on the material you've learned. Chapters 15 and 16 focus on test-taking tips for multiple-choice and free-response questions, so you’ll have strategies as well as content knowledge. Helpful tips in the margins of each chapter point out important things to remember and problems that students commonly have with certain terms and concepts. Cons This book is written essentially in textbook format; there are long paragraphs, there aren't that many diagrams, and the writing can be pretty scientific. There’s no glossary, so you have to pick out the definitions of terms yourself in each chapter. The style overall isn’t as fun as some other review books. Barron’s doesn’t try as hard to relate to you and just sticks to the information you need to know- which I respect, but it can be kind of boring. Who Should Use This Book This book is best for those who have a long time to dedicate to studying for the AP Psychology test. You'll need to use it over a longer period of time in order to be able to take full advantage of the diagnostic and practice tests and become familiar with each topic area. If you decide to use Barron's, get it well before the AP test and use it as a continuous review tool. You should also make sure that you’re motivated enough to take charge of your review time and study from a book that doesn’t try that hard to keep you engaged in the material. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Low-Scoring Students: Cracking the AP Psychology Exam, 2018 Edition Cost: $13 for print, $5 for digital This is the best book for learning test-taking strategies for the AP Psych test. The content is high quality as well, but it’s not as easy to study from if you don’t have much time on your hands. Pros It includes a step-by-step guide for how to organize your AP Psychology studying. There's a list of other resources you can use to supplement your review. It includes smart test-taking tips and strategies for multiple-choice and free-response questions. The book uses a conversational, relatable style of writing. Chapters that go over content are diagram-heavy, and they provide clear definitions of key terms throughout. Cons The instructions on designing a study plan are a little vague. It's hard to use this book as a quick study guide as it doesn’t have a centralized source for definitions of terms and concepts. You'd need to read it through completely to be able to get a handle on all the information. Who Should Use This Book This book is a smart choice if you have a fair amount of time before the AP Psychology test and would like some rough guidance on structuring your studying. It’s also great for students who get easily bored by textbooks and their dull writing style- it's definitely one of the more engaging review books I’ve seen! Which AP Psychology Books Are Best for You? Which Books Should You Avoid? If you think you’ll need a lot of guidance in your AP Psych studying (or if you’re working through the class independently), don’t choose a prep book that’s pure information and doesn't offer any planning or test-taking tips. I’d recommend using either 5 Steps to a 5 or Cracking the AP Psychology Exam, along with the Myers textbook (or whichever textbook your AP Psychology class is using). Barron’s is also a decent choice, but make sure that you’re willing to put a little more work into the review process. A book that provides more structure will be helpful even for the most driven students, especially if you’re not taking an actual AP Psychology class. If you choose to buy a book that’s not on this list, keep an eye out for any red flags. Compare the practice questions in the book with official AP Psychology questions to ensure they’re not unrealistically easy or hard. After taking and scoring a practice test from the review book, take an official AP practice test to check that your other score was realistic. I recommend the four AP Psychology books in this article because they’re all well organized and easy to follow. Even if another review book contains all the same info, the way it’s presented might make your studying less productive. Ultimately, if you feel you’re not getting anything out of an AP Psychology prep book and your AP Psych test scores don’t seem to be improving, you might need to try another one with a different format! Keep an eye out for red flags. You don't want to get stuck with a Canadian review book. Or maybe you do. Would it come with complimentary maple syrup? What's Next? Still shaky on a few AP Psych terms? Bolster your knowledge with articles like this one, which goes over what Stockholm Syndrome is and whether or not it's real. What does it really mean if you get a 5 on an AP exam? Find out how AP credit works for college classes. If you're still trying to plan your AP class schedule, use this guide to make an informed decision about which AP classes you should take. Also taking AP US History? Check out our reviews for the best AP US History textbooks. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

College Application Mistakes You Should Avoid

College Application Mistakes You Should Avoid I met with Jeremy Spencer, former Director of Admissions at Alfred University, and asked him what he sees as the most common blunders made by college applicants. Below are six mistakes he encounters frequently. 1. Missing Deadlines The college admissions process is filled with deadlines, and missing a deadline can mean a rejection letter or lost financial aid. A typical college applicant has dozens of dates to remember: Application deadlines which vary from school to schoolEarly action and early decision deadlines, if applicableInstitutional financial aid deadlinesFederal financial aid deadlinesState financial aid deadlinesScholarship deadlines Realize that some colleges will accept applications after the deadline if they have not yet filled their new class. However, financial aid may be much harder to obtain late in the application process. (Learn more about senior year deadlines.) 2. Applying for Early Decision When It’s Not the Right Choice Students who apply to a college through Early Decision typically must sign a contract stating that they are applying to just the one college early. Early Decision is a restricted admissions process, so it is not a good choice for students who aren’t really sure that the Early Decision school is their first choice. Some students apply through Early Decision because they think it will improve their chance of admission, but in the process they end up restricting their options. Also, if students violate their contract and apply to more than one college through Early Decision, they run the risk of being removed from the applicant pool for misleading the institution. While this is not the policy at Alfred University, some colleges share their Early Decision applicant lists to make sure students haven’t applied to multiple schools through Early Decision. (Learn about the difference between early decision and early action.) 3. Using the Wrong College Name in an Application Essay Understandably, many college applicants write a single admissions essay and then change the name of the college for different applications. Applicants need to make sure the college name is correct everywhere it appears. The admissions officers will not be impressed if an applicant begins by discussing how much she really wants to go to Alfred University, but the last sentence says, â€Å"R.I.T. is the best choice for me.† Mail merge and global replace can’t be relied on 100% applicants need to reread each application carefully, and they should have someone else proofread as well. (Learn more tips for the application essay.) 4. Applying to a College Online Without Telling School Counselors The Common Application and other online options make it easier than ever to apply to colleges. Many students, however, make the mistake of submitting applications online without notifying their high school guidance counselors. Counselors play an important role in the application process, so leaving them out of the loop can lead to several problems: High school transcripts are delayed or never get mailedLetters of recommendation from teachers are delayed or never get sentThe college admissions decision process becomes inefficient and delayedApplications end up being incomplete because the counselor can’t follow up with the colleges 5. Waiting too Long to Ask for Letters of Recommendation Applicants who wait until the last minute to ask for letters of recommendation run the risk that the letters will be late, or they will not be thorough and thoughtful. To get good letters of recommendation, applicants should identify teachers early, talk with them, and give them as much information as possible about each program to which they are applying. This allows teachers to craft letters that match an applicant’s particular strengths with specific college programs. Letters written at the last minute rarely contain this type of useful specificity. (Learn more about getting good letters of recommendation.) 6. Failing to Limit Parents’ Involvement Students need to self-advocate during the admissions process. The college is admitting the student, not the student’s mom or dad. It’s the student who needs to build a relationship with the college, not the parents. Helicopter parentsthose who constantly hoverend up doing a disservice to their children. Students need to manage their own affairs once they get to college, so the admissions staff wants to see evidence of this self-sufficiency during the application process. While parents should certainly be involved in the college admissions process, the student needs to make the connections with the school and complete the application. Jeremy Spencer’s Bio: Jeremy Spencer served as the Director of Admissions at Alfred University from 2005 to 2010. Prior to AU, Jeremy served as the Director of Admissions at Saint Joseph’s College (IN) and various admissions level positions at Lycoming College (PA) and Miami University (OH). At Alfred, Jeremy was responsible for both the undergraduate and graduate admissions process and supervised 14 professional admissions staff. Jeremy earned his BA degree (Biology and Psychology) at Lycoming College and his MS degree (College Student Personnel) at Miami University.