AP Biology Exam Description
Click HERE to access the calendar for our review unit (2018-2019 school year). Click HERE to access the consolidated review guide.
Visit this link to determine what score you must make on the AP Biology exam in order to earn course credit at colleges to which you are applying.
The AP Biology Exam consists of two sections: multiple choice and free response. Both sections include questions that assess students’ understanding of the big ideas, enduring understandings, and essential knowledge and the ways in which this understanding can be applied through the science practices. These may include questions on the following:
• the use of modeling to explain biological principles;
• the use of mathematical processes to explain concepts;
• the making of predictions and the justification of phenomena;
• the implementation of experimental design; and
• the manipulation and interpretation of data.
The exam is 3 hours long and includes both a 90-minute multiple-choice section and a 90-minute free-response section that begins with a mandatory 10-minute reading period. The multiple-choice section accounts for half of the student’s exam grade, and the free-response section accounts for the other half.
Due to the increased emphasis on quantitative skills and application of mathematical methods in the questions on both sections, students will be allowed to use simple four-function calculators (with square root) on the entire exam. You must remember to bring an acceptable calculator to use on the exam (not a scientific or graphing calculator!). Students will also be supplied with a formula list as part of their testing materials.
The AP Biology Exam consists of two sections: multiple choice and free response. Both sections include questions that assess students’ understanding of the big ideas, enduring understandings, and essential knowledge and the ways in which this understanding can be applied through the science practices. These may include questions on the following:
• the use of modeling to explain biological principles;
• the use of mathematical processes to explain concepts;
• the making of predictions and the justification of phenomena;
• the implementation of experimental design; and
• the manipulation and interpretation of data.
The exam is 3 hours long and includes both a 90-minute multiple-choice section and a 90-minute free-response section that begins with a mandatory 10-minute reading period. The multiple-choice section accounts for half of the student’s exam grade, and the free-response section accounts for the other half.
Due to the increased emphasis on quantitative skills and application of mathematical methods in the questions on both sections, students will be allowed to use simple four-function calculators (with square root) on the entire exam. You must remember to bring an acceptable calculator to use on the exam (not a scientific or graphing calculator!). Students will also be supplied with a formula list as part of their testing materials.
Study Tools
Exam Review Packet 2018
AP Biology Final Exam Study Guide Google Doc 2017
AP Biology Final Exam Study Guide Google Doc 2016
AP Biology Exam Review Calendar
AP Biology Evolution A-Z Project
AP Biology Evolution A-Z Project EXAMPLE (just one letter is complete)
AP Example List
Bozeman Video Playlist
AP Biology Final Exam Study Guide Google Doc 2017
AP Biology Final Exam Study Guide Google Doc 2016
AP Biology Exam Review Calendar
AP Biology Evolution A-Z Project
AP Biology Evolution A-Z Project EXAMPLE (just one letter is complete)
AP Example List
Bozeman Video Playlist
Content Review Sheets
In-Class Review Session Resources
Review Notes: Cell Structure and Cell Communication, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Cell Division, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Chi Square and Hardy Weinberg, see me for a key
Review Notes: Molecular Genetics (this will be a two-day review. We'll do all of this IN CLASS!), Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Mendelian Genetics, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Metabolism, Review PowerPoint (Note: I have edited this PowerPoint to now include the enzyme info!)
Review Notes: Evolution (two days), Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Biochemistry, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Physiology, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Cell Division, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Chi Square and Hardy Weinberg, see me for a key
Review Notes: Molecular Genetics (this will be a two-day review. We'll do all of this IN CLASS!), Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Mendelian Genetics, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Metabolism, Review PowerPoint (Note: I have edited this PowerPoint to now include the enzyme info!)
Review Notes: Evolution (two days), Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Biochemistry, Review PowerPoint
Review Notes: Physiology, Review PowerPoint
Practice Essays
Check out this link to find all the old essays from past AP Biology Exams. I'm working on posting essays by topic below, but so far have only gotten back through 2012.
Math
Chi Square and Fly Behavior (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Scientific Method
Experimental Design With Alcohol and Excretion (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Cells
Signal Transduction Pathway (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Organelle Prevalence and Cells (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Metabolism
Carbon Cycle (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Photosynthetic Pigments (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Respiration and Oxygen Consumption in Wheat (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Carbon Cycle Changes and Marine Life (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Evolution
Evidence of Evolution and Transitional Species (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Biochemistry
Genetics
Molecular Genetics/Protein Synthesis
Mutations and Protein Structure (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Regulation of Protein Synthesis (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
DNA Technology
Ecology
Carbon Cycle Changes and Marine Life (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Math
Chi Square and Fly Behavior (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Scientific Method
Experimental Design With Alcohol and Excretion (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Cells
Signal Transduction Pathway (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Organelle Prevalence and Cells (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Metabolism
Carbon Cycle (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Photosynthetic Pigments (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Respiration and Oxygen Consumption in Wheat (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Carbon Cycle Changes and Marine Life (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Evolution
Evidence of Evolution and Transitional Species (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Biochemistry
Genetics
Molecular Genetics/Protein Synthesis
Mutations and Protein Structure (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
Regulation of Protein Synthesis (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)
DNA Technology
Ecology
Carbon Cycle Changes and Marine Life (Scoring Rubric, Sample Responses)