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Content – How would you rate the quality of the content?
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#1 by Amy on March 4, 2010 - 6:16 pm
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Chemistry for the IB Dipolma, course companion by Geoffry Neuss
Before I started my search in amazon, I though these course companions were the only option for IB textbooks. After buying an awesome Biology textbook by CJ Clegg, now I know that it is simply not acceptable to settle for the course companion series.
What I have felt about biology is the same for chemistry as well. The course companion literally is only a course companion and it gives you an outline of the concepts need to be understood in IB Chemistry. Unfortunately, I personally feel that it doesn’t have enough detail for students aiming for 7s, for example. There are better explained textbooks for chemistry out there, so I don’t feel the need stick to this one at all.
If anyone is stuck with this textbook and nothing else, I would recommend them to try A LOT of exam questions and look closely into the syllabus to see where they need more supplement.
One thing I like about this book is that when it comes to calculations, it explicitly explains (in sentences) why we need to do this, or where the numbers in the calculations come from.
Overall- 3 out of 5
Price- not applicable, book supplied by school
Content- 3 out of 5
Image- 3 out of 5
#2 by Amy on March 4, 2010 - 6:30 pm
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Biology for the IB diploma by CJ Clegg
One word sums my opinion abou this book- AWESOME!
I currently own this one and the course companion by Andrew Allot and I have to say this book is so much better.
The first thing I like about this book is that the diagrams are in colour. Also, electronmicrographs of several images are included as well. This is especially useful in preparing for exam questions, since I have encountered several past paper questions asking the students to draw or identify an electronmicrograph image of a structre (e.g. muscle).
Secondly, when explaining a process, the book gives both a flow diagram of the process and sentence descriptions. I find that this enchances my understanding of everything so much more. Not to mention how detailed, explicit and clear everything is explained. If you’re someone who studies by memorising everything almost word by word (like me), you need good content to memorise.
Thirdly, having a limited space and only two arms to carry minimum 2 books to carry for each subject, I find it helpful that the options section of this book is in a CD. Yes, it is a lot of printing but I find this better than carrying around all the sections, only two of which I really need.
Overally, I’m super happy with this book, although it is a bit pricey. It is truly unfortunate that the chemistry book from the same publisher is going to be purblished on the 30th of April, since by the time it arrives I would have finished my chemistry exam.
Overall- 5 out of 5
Price- 3 out of 5
Content- 5 out of 5
Image- 5 out of 5
#3 by George on March 4, 2010 - 7:50 pm
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Wow, thanks for some amazing reviews Amy! I think maybe you could take over my job! Your reviews are perfect