Checkpoints: Yes or no?

[galaxy21]

Hi.
So looking through posts, there are some different opinions as to whether or not to use checkpoints for exam prep.
It is good prep, especially from some of the older exams (which, depending on access to newer and more relevant exams, I may not necessarily get to doing in full). However, it is still very important to get an accurate idea of conditions when doing practice exams, rather than being able to move quickly through some of the questions as I have already done them and can remember the answer.
Is it smarter to use checkpoints to get used to exam-style questions, to just do some of the questions (e.g. older exam questions) or leave it all together?

Also, what other resources are good for exam prep? I have heard that A+ is quite good for some harder questions (is the notes or the exams book better?)?
Thanks! 

[not.yet.a.nerd]

I'd say it depends on how many resources you have access to and are willing to do. Checkpoints will definitely be useful, plus they contain questions that the authors have written, not just VCAA questions. I never found doing checkpoints to negatively impact doing past exams, as the study design was new last year, so the past exams did not totally correlate to the actual exam.

I found that TSSM questions were on the easy side and NEAP topic tests were more difficult. No company exam will be able to completely replicate VCAA's exams, so it's helpful to work through questions from a range of sources. A+ notes have some good stuff, but also some irrelevant things/too much detail (if I remember, it went into extreme detail for plant hormones, yet it rarely comes up on the exam).

Overall opinion- checkpoints: Yes!

[Owlbird83]

I think it is helpful. Some questions on the sacs we have done at school have been very similar to some checkpoints questions, so people who have done it have an advantage. Also, the questions in the checkpoints are better than the questions in my textbook, as those are more comprehension and remembering, whereas these are exam style, so you are practising applying your knowledge to situations, which I have found much more useful.

[pip1704]

I don't do VCE Biolgy, but I find the very helpful in my subjects.So I'd say yes.

[PopcornTime]

 I have a copy of checkpoints, but it is not worth it. I suggest you buy the neap smart study or A+ bio exams.

I personally like A+ biology questions -- really good questions.