AP Biology Course and Exam: Everything You Need to Know
Planning to take AP Biology? Read this blog post to learn everything you need to know about the course and exam, including content, scoring, and tips for preparation.
Course Overview
| Unit | Topics Covered | On The Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Chemistry of Life | – The structure and chemical properties of water – The makeup and properties of macromolecules – The structure of DNA and RNA | 8% – 11% of exam score |
| Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function | – Cellular components and functions – Cell interaction with its environment – Cell membrane structure and function – Cell regulatory mechanisms like osmosis and selective permeability – Cellular compartmentalization | 10% – 13% of exam score |
| Unit 3: Cellular Energetics | – Structure and function of enzymes – Role of energy in living systems – Photosynthesis – Cellular respiration – Molecular diversity and cellular response to environmental changes | 10% – 13% of exam score |
| Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle | – Mechanisms of cell communication – Signal transduction – Cellular responses and feedback mechanisms – Events in a cell cycle | 10% – 15% of exam score |
| Unit 5: Heredity | – Meiosis – Genetic diversity – Mendel’s laws and probability – Non-mendelian Inheritance – Factors affecting inheritance and gene expression | 8% – 11% of exam score |
| Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation | – The roles of DNA and RNA – Mechanisms of gene expression – How genotype affects phenotype – Mutations, genetic diversity, and natural selection – Genetic engineering and biotechnology | 12% – 16% of exam score |
| Unit 7: Natural Selection | – Evidential support for evolution and common ancestry – Mechanisms of natural selection and speciation – Environmental and human-caused factors in evolution – Charting species ancestry through phylogenetic trees and cladograms – Extinction – Models of the origin of life on Earth | 13% – 20% of exam score |
| Unit 8: Ecology | – Communication and responses to environmental changes – Energy flow within and across ecosystems – Factors in the growth, density, and success of populations – Factors in community and ecosystem dynamics – Invasive species, human interaction, and environmental changes | 10% – 15% of exam score |
Exam Details
The AP Biology Exam tests your understanding of the biology concepts covered in the course. It also tests your ability to use the scientific method and analyze data.
You are allowed to use a four-function calculator (with square root), scientific, or graphing functions on this exam. You are also allowed to use the AP Biology Equations and Formulas Sheet on the exam.
The AP Biology Exam lasts 3 hours total and consists of two sections.
Scoring
The AP Biology Exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score possible. The scoring breakdown is as follows:
| Score | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 5 | 14.3% |
| 4 | 23% |
| 3 | 27.2% |
| 2 | 23.6% |
| 1 | 12% |
| 3 or Above | 64.4% |
Preparation Tips
Start preparing early and use all available resources to approach the exam with confidence and earn a top score.
By starting your preparation early and using all available resources, you can effectively prepare for the AP Biology exam.
Resources like Crimson’s online AP Biology class and online AP tutoring services can provide the guidance you need to ace the exam.
