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5 Best AP Statistics Prep Books (2022)

If you’re preparing yourself for the AP Statistics exam, you might be looking for review material to supplement your learning. Maybe what you’ve learned in the classroom is difficult to retain. An AP Statistics prep book can be an excellent tool to help you review for the exam and, thus, increase your chance of achieving a passing score.

But how do you choose the best review book for you? Here, we’ve rounded up a list of the best AP Statistics prep books to help you decide.

Best AP Statistics Exam Prep Books

Barron’s AP Statistics test prep book provides in-depth content review, expert explanations, and practice tests.

Publisher: Barrons Educational Series

Year: 2022

Number of pages: 696 pages

Our Final Grade: A++

Barron’s AP Statistics Prep Book contains a comprehensive review of lessons, statistics problems, and other content that will help you prepare for the AP Statistics exam. It’s an excellent choice because it has a diagnostic test to help you gauge your strengths and weaknesses. This allows you to focus on areas that need improvement.

Pros

• 5 full-length practice tests in the book
• 3 online full-length practice tests
• End-of-chapter quizzes

Cons

• Explanations could be more detailed

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Cracking the AP Statistics Exam is a comprehensive study guide that provides students with learning material necessary to get a 5 on their AP exam.

Publisher: Princeton Review

Year: 2021

Number of pages: 432 pages

Our Final Grade: A+

Princeton Review’s Cracking the AP Statistics Exam prep book is a full guide to passing the AP exam. The book not only contains a comprehensive content review for all test topics, but it also provides test-taking tips and strategies for every question type.

Pros

• 2 practice tests with answer explanations
• Access to online extras
• Step-by-step walkthroughs

Cons

• None

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Ultimate AP Statistics Practice Book complements its written material with detailed explanations on YouTube to help the visual learners retain concepts of AP Statistics.

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Year: 2017

Number of pages: 112 pages

Our Final Grade: A

Many students are visual learners, and not all instructors are proficient at illustrating concepts, especially when it comes to more advanced math. What makes Ultimate AP Statistics Practice Book stand out from other prep books is that their YouTube videos thoroughly explain essential problems that they go over in the book.

Pros

• YouTube video explanations
• Examples cover all AP Statistics topics
• Great for free-response prep

Cons

• Doesn’t include practice tests

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5 Steps to a 5 is an AP Statistics prep resource that includes a step-by-step plan to earn a 5 on the exam with tons of resources.

Publisher: McGraw Hill Education

Year: 2021

Number of pages: 384 pages

Our Final Grade: B+

In addition to the hundreds of exercises with explanations and strategies specific to each part of the test, 5 Steps to a 5 comes with an online course that provides interactive tests, flashcards, games, and more.

Pros

• 6 full-length practice exams
• Multiple choice and free response practice questions
• Comprehensive overview of the material

Cons

• None

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AP Statistics Crash Course prep book is ideal for students who need to cram or want to refresh their knowledge on the subject.

Publisher: Research & Education Association

Year: 2019

Number of pages: 272

Our Final Grade: C

Crash Course for AP Statistics is an excellent resource for students who need a last-minute refresher. A great feature of this prep book is that it provides a more targeted, focused review. This means that you won’t be cramming a bunch of lessons that won’t actually be on the test, which allows you to make the most of your study time.

Pros

• Expert test-taking strategies
• A mini-test in the book
• Full-length practice exam online

Cons

• Doesn’t include a diagnostic exam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is AP Statistics?

AP Statistics is an introductory course in statistics that covers college-level concepts. When you take the AP Statistics course, you’ll practice collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data. If you pass the AP Statistics exam, you can earn college credit for this course.

Why Should I Take AP Statistics?

When it comes to certain areas of mathematics, many students wonder why they need to learn the material. They often ask, what uses will these concepts have in the real world? Of all branches of math, AP Statistics is the most widely applicable. This means that people use statistics more than any other kind of math.

How Hard Is AP Statistics?

Because it’s a college course, the material will be more involved. However, depending on your aptitude in math, it could be a manageable subject or it could be extremely difficult. You’ll probably have daily homework assignments, and you’ll likely do a lot of studying. You won’t just have math problems. The course also involves lots of reading and writing.

AP Statistics is probably what you wouldn’t expect of a math course. It isn’t just about equations, calculations, and formulas. You’ll need to employ your writing, reading, and analytic skills.

Can I Use a Calculator on the Exam? If So, What Kind of Calculator Do I Need?

Yes, you can use a calculator. You’ll need a graphing calculator with statistical capabilities, including common univariate and bivariate displays, such as scatterplots, histograms, and boxplots. Your calculator should also have computational capabilities.

What Brand of Calculator Does the College Board Recommend for the AP Statistics Exam?

While the College Board doesn’t recommend brands, they do have a list of graphing calculators they’ve approved for testing. Be sure to check their calculator policy before you take the exam.

You can’t use:

• Minicomputers
• Electronic writing pads
• Calculators with QWERTY keyboards

What Is the Best Study Guide to Help Me Prepare for the Exam?

Consider one of the study guides we evaluated for the AP Statistics exam. We ranked them based on their content, customer reviews, and extra features.

However, the best study guide for you depends on what you’re looking for and what specific features you value. For example, if you feel like you need a lot more practice, then it may be wise to purchase a prep book that has multiple practice tests.

What Is the Equivalent College Level Course?

AP Statistics is the equivalent of an introductory, non-calculus based college course in statistics. If you pass the exam, you’ll be able to apply your college credit to the equivalent course, depending on the university’s policy for accepting AP exam scores. This means that once a college accepts your score, you won’t have to take that specific course.

Can I Take the AP Statistics Exam If I Haven’t Taken the Course?

Yes. There’s no rule that you have to take the AP Statistics course in order to take the AP exam. So if you’re homeschooled, you can take the exam. You can also take the exam if you’ve studied and have developed a strong proficiency in statistics.

How Do I Register for the AP Statistics Exam?

If your school offers AP courses, talk to your counselor. He or she will help you register for the AP Statistics exam and enroll you in the course, if you aren’t already.

However, if you’re homeschooled or go to a school that doesn’t offer AP courses, you can still register for the exam. Contact the College Board AP Services or visit the website to register.

What Is the Format of the AP Statistics Exam?

The AP Statistics exam contains two sections: multiple choice and free response. The multiple-choice section has 40 questions, while the free-response section has 5 questions.

Your score for the multiple-choice section will be based on how many questions you answer correctly. You won’t lose points for wrong answers or blank responses.

When Should I Start Studying for the AP Statistics Exam?

We recommend studying and reviewing material at least one month before the exam. Develop a detailed study plan to ensure the best possible preparation. For example, answer 20 questions a day, and focus on topics you struggle the most in.

Make sure you plan for the unexpected by giving yourself an additional week before the AP exam to ask questions and do some last-minute review.

What Do I Need to Bring to the AP Statistics Exam?

You should of course come to the exam prepared. Below is a list of things you should bring with you:

• Four or five sharpened No. 2 pencils
• Pencil sharpener and extra erasers
• Statistical calculator
• Pens with dark blue ink
• Some form of ID
• A snack and water for a break

Before test day, you should ensure you get plenty of sleep. On test day, eat a hearty breakfast and wear comfortable clothes.

What Score Do I Need to Receive in Order to Pass the Exam?

You must earn a 3 in order to pass the exam. However, that doesn’t guarantee you’ll get college credit for your score.

Every college has its own policy about accepting AP credit. A lot of it depends on the subject. For information about your chosen university’s policy, go to their AP credit policy page.

How Do I Get a 5 on the AP Statistics Exam?

Practice is the secret to getting a 5 on the AP Statistics exam. So if you’re not going over problems and reading course material, you’re less likely to pass with a 5.

Using an AP Statistics prep book will help you prepare for the test with practice questions, practice tests, supplemental learning material, and more.

When Do AP Statistics Exam Scores Typically Come Out?

You should expect to receive your AP Statistics exam score in July. However, you may receive a delay in your scores if scorers experience delays in collecting or processing your exam answers.

How Do Students Typically Score on the AP Statistics Exam?

In 2019, 14.7% of students scored a 5, 18.4% scored a 4, 26.6% scored a 3, 19.3% scored a 2, and 21% scored a 1. On average, over the past three years, 58.2% of students pass the AP Statistics exam.

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Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for an AP Statistics prep book with lots of practice questions, review material, or strategies to help you crack the exam, there are plenty of options that can meet your needs.