ap biology free response 2022

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AP Biology Free-Response Practice Questions

Long free-response practice question.

Cellular respiration is a process that occurs in many organisms. The rate of cellular respiration can be  measured using several different methods.

(A) Design a specific experiment to measure the rate of cellular respiration in an organism of your choice. Identify, isolate, and test one experimental variable in your experiment. Identify any variables that you must control, and explain the apparatus that you will use to measure the cellular respiration.

(B) Construct a graph to report your results, and graph the results that you would expect in your experiment.

(C) Explain the significance of your results.

Example Answer

You should immediately realize that this is a question about cellular respiration. You should draw on your knowledge of this topic to answer the question. Use the organism that you used when completing this lab (commonly germinating peas).

(A) Key points to include: the organism you chose, clear identification of the experimental variable, clear explanation for the variables that you must control, an explanation of the apparatus that you will use to measure the cellular respiration

Here is a possible response:

Cellular respiration can most easily be measured by consumption of O 2 or by the production of CO 2 . In this experiment, the volume of O 2 consumed by germinating peas will be measured. The experiment will test peas that have been germinating one day vs. peas that have been germinating for three days. Therefore, the number of days the peas have been germinating will be my experimental variable. I will use an apparatus called a respirometer to measure the amount of O 2 consumed. This device will be submerged underwater with a pipette attached to the end. I will be able to measure the amount of water drawn into the pipette by comparing where the water mark begins and where it ends. I will eliminate the production of CO 2 as a variable by using potassium hydroxide (KOH) to fix CO 2 into a solid form: potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ). KOH will be added to an absorbent cotton ball and placed on the bottom of the respirometer with a non-absorbent cotton ball in between, so the KOH will not interfere with the experiment. Because volume must be controlled, I will use glass beads to control the volume differences between the two germinating pea samples.

I will place each respirometer in the same tub of water to control temperature between the two germinating pea samples.

Hypothesis: Measuring cellular respiration for 30 minutes at intervals of 10 minutes at a time will demonstrate that peas that have been germinating for three days will consume more oxygen through cellular respiration than peas that have been germinating one day.

Procedure: I will place 20 peas that have been germinating for one day in one respirometer and 20 peas that have been germinating for three days in another respirometer. After a 10-minute equilibration period, I will begin to measure the amount of oxygen consumed at 10-minute intervals for 30 minutes. I will record results measured by the graduated intervals on the pipette attached to the respirometer.

(B) Key points to include: labels on each axis, regular intervals on the graph, a specific title on the graph, points plotted on the graph, and a line connecting the appropriate points. If there is more than one plot on the graph, you should use a dotted line for one line and a solid line for the other. Alternatively, you can simply write a short phrase above each line for identification.

Here is a sample graph:

(C) Key points to include: clear explanation of the graph and clear explanation of the significance of the results

The graph shows that peas that have been germinating for three days consume more oxygen during a 30-minute period than peas that have been germinating for one day. The peas that have only been germinating for one day are not as well developed. Therefore, these peas are not undergoing as much cellular respiration as the more developed peas that have been germinating for three days.

Short Free-Response Practice Question 1

All living organisms contain genetic information that provides several functions inherent to the individual organism and the perpetuation of its species. Discuss how the nature of genetic material both perpetuates the identity of an individual and provides for high biodiversity.

Key points to include: genes, base pairs, replication, proteins, diversity

DNA is composed of only four different base pairs, and there is only one different base pair, uracil instead of thymine, in RNA. This has created a very simple system for duplication. When a cell replicates its DNA during mitosis, it simply unzips the double helix and adds nucleic acids along its length until a duplicate set of complementary strands is created. The base pairs bond with hydrogen bonds, with cytosine bonding to guanine and adenine bonding to thymine. DNA molecules are very long, but because the code only involves four different base pairs, it can easily be duplicated. The DNA strands are actually copied in small segments and linked together to form an entire strand.

Although there are only four different base pairs, the longer the strand gets, the more combinations of base pairs can be created. These long series of base pairs code for longer and more complex proteins that can differ in minor or very significant ways. For example, sickle cell anemia is caused by only one base pair difference in the genetic code for hemoglobin, but this base pair causes an incredible difference in the function of the protein. The high number of potential combinations from only four base pairs and the impact of small changes in the sequence of base pairs contributes to the diversity of proteins in an organism. This diversity of proteins contributes to the diversity of organisms that exist because physiological function is essentially protein driven. In essence, long and diverse code leads to diverse proteins, which leads to diverse organisms.

In a long-term project studying the interactions of several species of animals on an isolated island, scientists counted the number of individuals of each species visiting a site on the island over the course of several days, every summer for 100 years. The results from that study are shown in the following graph.

Key points to include: predation, carrying capacity, mutualism

In the year 2000, Species A is effectively out of the picture, Species B is increased, and Species C is in slight decline. It is possible that Species B and C are predators of Species A, causing its virtual extinction in the ecosystem over the last 60 years. It is also possible that Species B is a predator of Species C and the expansion of Species B’s population  has resulted in a decline in the population in Species C. Alternatively, the slight decline in Species C over the previous 30 years could mean that it has reached its carrying capacity.

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Excel at Science

• Feb 16, 2021

AP Biology Past FRQs by Topic

Updated: Jan 31

**Updated on 1/31/24 to include the 2022-23 FRQ exams!**

If you are looking for past AP Biology free-response questions (FRQs) that are organized by topic, then you have come to the right place. In this post, we have linked every freely available past FRQ there is from College Board and organized it into the following major topics of AP Biology .

(Please note that we are not associated with College Board and are simply sharing the resources they have made available to students.)

Biochemistry

Metabolism & energetics.

Physiology (note that this topic will not be tested on the official AP Biology exam this year in 2021, although many questions about physiology could also cover concepts that will be tested)

Experiment design & data analysis

Need more AP-style practice problems?

Intensively doing and reviewing practice questions is proven to be much more effective than spending hours studying. Check out our AP Bio Practice Portal , which is an easy-to-use database of 300+ AP-style MCQ and FRQ practice questions. Students love the Practice Portal because it includes answers and explanations for every problem, tracks progress, and saves time from Googling practice problems.

Try the Practice Portal >

How to make the most of past frqs from college board.

As noted above, the diversity of organisms, plants, and physiology will not be on the 2021 AP Biology exam. However, the exam could include questions about topics or hypothetical situations that are related to those topics. One great example is cell communication, which is used in multiple systems inside our bodies. Let’s say an FRQ was to appear about the immune system and how the immune cells communicate. That would be fair game as long as the question focuses on the cell signaling part, not the details of the immune system. If the question requires some background knowledge about the immune system, it will be provided.

If you want to do a whole practice FRQ set just like the ones on the real exam (which we highly recommend), all the freely available past FRQs by year are available here on the College Board website. Tip: time yourself and take the practice FRQ set in an environment that mimics how you imagine your actual testing environment to be.

If you would like to focus on a particular topic, then the section coming up is for you. Some FRQs will show up under multiple topics because they truly do test students’ understanding of multiple different topics.

Tip : Whether you are doing individual free-response questions or doing a full problem set in one go, it is extremely important and effective to do test corrections! Don’t only consult the scoring guidelines and model responses when you have no clue how to answer a question. You should be checking them for all the FRQs you do. When you find a difference between your answer and the scoring guidelines, it is important that you pause and analyze why your response is incorrect. Take the time to understand your mistakes and see how your answer could have been better. This will help you boost your scores the most efficiently.

AP BIOLOGY FRQs BY TOPIC

Below are the linked FRQs organized by topic. The header for each topic will also lead you to the corresponding study guide that will help you review the unit in detail!

Basic and organic chemistry concepts do not come up often on the FRQs (but of course, it’s better to be prepared). The properties of water and macromolecules come up occasionally.

2017 #7 and 8

Includes cell structure and function, cell transport and the proteins involved.

2019 #3 and 8

2018 #2, 6, and 8

2006 #1, 3, and 4

2001 #1 and 4

(study guide coming soon!)

This unit includes enzymes, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis.

2023 #2 (cell respiration & photosynthesis)

2023 #4 (photosynthesis)

2022 #3 (enzymes)

2021 #3 (cell respiration)

2019 #3 (cell respiration)

2018 #2 (cell respiration)

2017 #7 (cell respiration)

2017 #5 (photosynthesis)

2015 #2 (cell respiration)

2013 #2 (photosynthesis) and 4 (cell respiration & photosynthesis)

2012 #2 (cell respiration) and 4 (cell respiration & photosynthesis)

2010 #2 (enzymes)

2007 #3 (photosynthesis)

2006 #4 (photosynthesis)

2005 #1 (cell respiration & photosynthesis)

2004 #3 (photosynthesis)

Cell cycle & cell signaling

This topic has shown up more frequently and in more difficult FRQs in recent years, especially cell communication. The trend will most likely continue so definitely prioritize reviewing and practicing this topic!

2023 #1 (cell communication)

2022 #1 (cell communication)

2022 #2 (cell cycle, meiosis)

2021 #1 (cell communication)

2019 #4 (cell communication)

2018 #8 (cell communication)

2017 #8 (cell communication)

2016 # 7 (cell division)

2015 # 4 (cell division)

2015 #5 and 7 (cell communication)

2013 #8 (cell communication)

2011 #1B (cell division)

2010 #1 (cell communication)

2006 #1B (cell division)

2004 #1 (cell division)

Genetics, Gene Expression and Regulation

Genetics Pt 1 and Genetics Pt 2 Study Guides

This section includes the classic Mendelian genetics, with Punnett squares, crosses, and Mendel’s laws. It also includes DNA replication, protein synthesis, and gene expression regulation for both eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

2023 #6 (gene expression)

2022 #6 (protein synthesis, gene expression)

2021 #6 (gene expression)

2021 #2 (heredity + pedigrees)

2020 #1 parts a-b

2019 #1 and 3

2018 #1, 4, and 7

2016 #4 and 7

2023 #5 (Cladistics)

2022 #4 (speciation)

2020 #1 parts f-j

2015 #3 and 6

2014 #2 and 4

2015 #2 (nervous system)

2014 #2 (immune system) and 6 (musculoskeletal system) and 7

2017 #2, 4, and 7b

2016 #3 and 5

2014 #3 and 4

Experimental design & analysis

This is an additional section that isn’t focused on any particular topic or has significant data analysis involved. While most FRQs do pertain to a specific topic(s), some are simply there to test your knowledge of experimental design and understanding of statistical concepts such as performing Chi-Square tests and interpreting error bars on graphs. These types of questions have become more and more common on the AP exam, so it is important to feel comfortable and confident with them.

2023 #6 (data analysis)

2022 #3 (experiment design)

2020 #1 parts c-e

2016 #2 , 6 and 8

2014 #1 and 5

2013 #1 and 7

Hope these organized FRQs saved you some time so you can focus more on actually doing them and practicing! You can easily share this post with friends who may find it helpful as well.

How to Improve AP Biology FRQ Scores, Fast

Do a lot of FRQ practice problems and review the answers! Practice is key, especially for a subject as dense as AP Bio. Check out the AP Bio Practice Portal , which is our popular vault of 300+ AP-style MCQ and FRQ problem sets with answers and explanations for every question. Don't waste any more time Googling practice problems or answers - try it out now!

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AP® Biology

Ap® biology practice tests.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of the best AP® Biology practice tests, we’ve put them together here. In this post, we’ll outline background about the course and go over practice tests for AP® Biology that you can start using for your test prep efforts towards earning a 5.

Whether you’re reviewing Unit 1 or Unit 8, there’s a set of AP® Biology practice questions for you.

The exam features 60 multiple choice questions that make up 50% of your score, and 6 free response questions that comprise of the other half of your score.

AP® Biology aims to strengthen students’ abilities to demonstrate inquiry-based learning of essential concepts, and to use these skills to develop reasoning skills for science practices.

In case you’re looking for other free AP® Biology resources, check out our blog section for review articles, score calculators, and more .

What We Review

The 6 Science Practices AP® Biology Promotes

• Concept Explanation : Explain biological concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
• Visual Representation : Analyze visual representations of biological concepts and processes.
• Questions and Methods : Determine scientific questions and methods.
• Representing and Describing Data : Represent and describe data.
• Statistical Tests and Data Analysis : Perform statistical tests and mathematical calculations to analyze and interpret data.
• Argumentation : Develop and justify scientific arguments using evidence.

The Big Ideas of AP® Biology

There are four big ideas in the course:

• Big Idea 1: Evolution – The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
• Big Idea 2: Energetics – Biological systems use energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain dynamic homeostasis.
• Big Idea 3: Information Storage and Transmission – Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
• Big Idea 4: Systems Interactions – Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions exhibit complex properties.

Being intentional in your studying is crucial. Here, we’ve broken down our AP® Biology prep course into their individual units so that you can identify which parts of the test are a greater percentage of the exam, and start targeting your practice.

If you’ve never used Albert, click into Units 2, 4, and 7 to try our free AP® Biology multiple choice practice questions.

Unit 1: Chemistry of Life

• 8-11% of the exam
• 35+ AP® Biology practice questions
• Unit 1 covers topics like the structure of water and hydrogen bonding, elements of life, properties and functions of biological macromolecules and nucleic acids

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function

• 10-13% of the exam
• 110+ AP® Biology practice questions
• Unit 2 digs more into topics like cell size, plasma membranes, membrane transport, tonicity and osmoregulation, and cell compartmentalization
• Try 15 free AP® Biology practice questions on Topic 2.2 Cell Structure and Function

Unit 3: Cellular Energetics

• 12-16% of the exam
• 50+ AP® Biology practice questions
• Unit 3 digs into topics such as enzyme structures and catalysis, photosynthesis, cellular respiration and fitness.

Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

• 10-15% of the exam
• 80+ AP® Biology practice questions
• Unit 4 investigates how cells communicate with one another via signal transduction, the parts of the cell cycle and regulation of the cell cycle.
• Try 10+ free AP® Biology review questions on Topic 4.4 Changes in Signal Transduction Pathways

Unit 5: Heredity

• Unit 5 explores topics like meiosis and genetic diversity, digging into things like Mendelian genetics and Non-Mendelian genetics.

Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

• Unit 6 digs into the DNA some more, covering transcription and RNA processing, translation, how mutations work, and biotechnology.

Unit 7: Natural Selection

• 13-20% of the exam
• 200+ AP® Biology practice questions
• Unit 7 teaches about natural selection, artificial selection, population genetics, evidence of evolution and common ancestry.
• Try 20 free AP® Biology multiple choice practice questions on Topic 7.5 Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Unit 8: Ecology

• 140+ AP® Biology practice questions
• Unit 8 wraps up AP® Biology with a look at the big picture: energy flow through ecosystems, population ecology, community ecology and biodiversity are just some of the topics covered.

AP® Biology Investigative Labs

• 150 AP® Biology practice questions
• These practice questions serve as supplemental review after you’ve completed the 13 AP® Biology laboratory investigations in class.
• Confirmation: Confirming a principle through an activity where the results are known in advance.
• Structured Inquiry: Exploring a teacher-presented question through a prescribed procedure.
• Guided Inquiry: Evaluating a teacher-presented question through a student-designed process.
• Open Inquiry: Investigating topic-related questions that students formulate and complete with their own designed process.

Return to the Table of Contents

AP® Biology Practice Tests Sorted by Big Ideas & Enduring Understandings

One of the best parts about using Albert for your AP® Biology review is that each practice question is tied directly back to the College Board standard, enduring understanding, or essential knowledge that’s being evaluated.

We’ve gone ahead and filtered down our AP® Bio multiple choice practice questions to help you get a head start:

Big Idea 1: Evolution

• EVO-1:  Evolution is characterized by a change in the genetic makeup of a population over time and is supported by multiple lines of evidence
• EVO-2: Organisms are linked by lines of descent from common ancestry.
• EVO-3: Life continues to evolve within a changing environment.

Big Idea 2: Energetics

• ENE-1: The highly complex organization of living systems requires constant input of energy and the exchange of macromolecules.
• ENE-2: Cells have membranes that allow them to establish and maintain internal environments that are different from their external environments.
• ENE-3: Timing and coordination of biological mechanisms involved in growth, reproduction, and homeostasis depend on organisms responding to environmental cues.
• ENE-4: Communities and ecosystems change on the basis of interactions among populations and disruptions to the environment.

Big Idea 3: Information Storage and Transmission

• IST-1: Heritable information provides for continuity of life.
• IST-2: Differences in the expression of genes account for some of the phenotypic differences between organisms.
• IST-3: Cells communicate by generating, transmitting, receiving, and responding to chemical signals.
• IST-4: The processing of genetic information is imperfect and is a source of genetic variation.
• IST-5: Transmission of information results in changes within and between biological systems.

Big Idea 4: Systems Interactions

• SYI-1: Living systems are organized in a hierarchy of structural levels that interact.
• SYI-2: Competition and cooperation are important aspects of biological systems.
• SYI-3: Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment.

AP® Biology Unit Assessments

We’ve compiled unit assessments for some of the most important topics covered in AP® Bio. Use these after you’ve completed your targeted practice above.

Note: You’ll need an Albert subscription to access these tests. 

• AP® Biology Unit 1 Assessment
• AP® Biology Unit 2 Assessment
• AP® Biology Unit 3 Assessment
• AP® Biology Unit 4 Assessment
• AP® Biology Unit 5 Assessment
• AP® Biology Unit 6 Assessment

AP® Biology Full-Length Practice Tests

After you complete your unit specific review, use these full-length AP® Biology exams to simulate the real test. Give yourself 180 minutes to complete these.

• AP® Biology Practice Test 1
• AP® Biology Practice Test 2
• AP® Biology Practice Test 3
• AP® Biology Practice Test 4

Previous AP® Biology Free Response Questions & Answers

The College Board provides a comprehensive database of the past years’ AP® Biology free response questions and answers. Here are some of the FRQs from recent years:

• 2019 AP® Biology Free-Response Scoring Guidelines
• 2019 Chief Reader Report
• 2018 AP® Biology Free-Response Scoring Guidelines
• 2018 Chief Reader Report
• 2017 AP® Biology Free-Response Scoring Guidelines
• 2017 Chief Reader Report

Helpful AP® Biology FRQ Videos

We’ve made two in-depth AP® Bio free response videos to help you get started in your studying:

Need help preparing for your AP® Biology exam?

Albert has hundreds of AP® Biology practice questions, free response, and full-length practice tests to try out.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, every ap biology practice test available: free and official.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Practice tests can help you get familiar with the structure of the AP Biology exam and feel more comfortable with the types of questions you'll be expected to answer on test day. Studying with practice tests can also give you insight into the specific struggles you might have with the material as presented on the AP test. You can then focus your studying appropriately to tackle these problems.

In this article, I'll list all the practice tests for AP Biology that you can find online and give you a few tips on how to use them effectively as study aids for both the AP test and any in-class tests you have throughout the school year.

Official AP Biology Practice Exams

Official practice tests provide the best preparation for the AP test. You can be sure that the questions are accurate representations of what you'll see on the final exam.

Unfortunately, I could only find one official practice test for the new version of the AP Biology test since the format and content changed so recently (2012). However, this practice test also has other information that makes it more helpful. It tells you how to calculate your score and includes detailed answer explanations for each question at the end.

Official Practice Test #1

Don't start your practice with this test. It's the most accurate preparation you'll have for the real AP test, so you should save it for towards the end of your second semester when you feel confident that you've mastered the material. It's better to begin studying with the unofficial tests in the next section as a warm-up!

You can also access official free-response questions from 2013, 2014, and 2015 on the College Board website.

Free Response Questions

The free-response section of the AP Biology test is usually considered to be the most difficult part, so it's good to have a little extra practice with these even if you're not answering them in the context of a full practice test.

In addition to these resources, all AP teachers have access to a bunch of free official practice AP tests online. You can ask your teacher if he or she will print a couple out for you to use in your studying.

Unofficial AP Biology Practice Exams

There are many unofficial AP Biology practice tests out there that you can use to help review the material. There's nothing wrong with using these tests to get more practice, but try not to rely on them exclusively because they are not always totally accurate representations of the real AP Biology exam. Some are aligned with the format of the pre-2012 exam, and some are just multiple-choice tests of varying lengths with no free response questions.

Because the AP Biology exam has been revised, you'll get a more accurate estimate of how well you're doing if you use recent practice tests that are aligned with the new test's format. Before 2012, the AP Biology test had 100 multiple-choice questions and four free-response questions rather than the current 63 multiple-choice questions, six grid-in questions, six short free-response questions, and two long free-response questions. The old test was also more memorization-based.

On the current AP Biology exam, you'll have to answer a lot of questions that involve analyzing experimental data using your background knowledge of biology. You won't see questions that just ask you to do something like identify parts of a process in a diagram.

A couple of these unofficial tests do have the same format as the current exam, including the Barron's practice test and all the tests in the "subscription needed" section. You should save these for later on in your second semester when you want to get a more accurate assessment of your readiness for the final exam (and then follow them up with the official practice test in the previous section if you feel confident that you've fixed your problem areas!).

Free AP Biology Practice Tests

Barron's Practice Test

• Barron's offers a free practice test online that has the same format as the current AP test.
• You can take it in timed or untimed ("practice") mode.
• If you use practice mode, you can see answer explanations as you go along.
• The multiple-choice section has automated scoring, but you'll have to self-score your free-response answers (guidelines are provided).

My Max Score Practice Test

• This is an old-format test that includes 100 multiple choice questions and four free-response questions.
• It also has detailed answer explanations for all questions.

Varsity Tutors Diagnostic Tests

• This is a list of ten multiple-choice diagnostic tests rated by difficulty level.
• Tests 4-10 have the same number of questions as the real multiple-choice section.
• Sorry, there are no free-response questions on this site.

Kaplan Practice Tests

• There are a few unit-specific quizzes here along with two longer practice tests that have almost as many questions as the multiple-choice section on the real exam (58 and 62 as opposed to 63 + 6 grid-ins).
• There are no free-response questions.

Learning Express 120-Question and 100-Question Practice Tests

• These are a couple more old-format multiple-choice tests with answers included at the end.
• If you just want to test yourself on the basic information in the course, these could be useful.

Subscription Needed

Shmoop Practice Tests (free trial available, $24.68 a month for subscription)

• A subscription to Shmoop will get you access to a diagnostic test plus five full AP Biology practice tests (including both multiple-choice and free-response questions, although these are of course unofficial).
• Shmoop tries a little too hard to relate to kids with their writing style, but if you're not put off by that, it might be a good resource for you.

BenchPrep Practice Tests (with subscription that costs $30 a month)

• Here, you'll get access to two full practice tests plus a ton of lessons.

Practice Tests in Review Books

• You might also decide to order a review book to get access to more practice tests.
• You'll find some good resources in the books listed in my article on the best AP Biology books for 2016.

How to Use AP Biology Practice Tests

This section is full of all the advice you need to follow to use AP Biology practice tests effectively during both your first and second semesters in the class.

First Semester: Using Practice Tests for Your Class

Although it might not make sense to take full practice tests yet, you can still use the materials in this article as resources for your studying. Look for free-response questions that relate to what you've learned so far so that you can start to get familiar with their format and expectations.

There are also plenty of sites that have quizzes that touch on specific units in the AP Biology curriculum. These include Learnerator , Varsity Tutors (which I mention above for diagnostic tests, but they also have subject-by-subject quizzes), and Quizlet . These won't be official questions, but they will help prepare you for in-class assessments and serve as a solid introduction to the types of questions you might be asked on the AP test. You should also check out my complete AP Biology review guide for more advice on how you can use online resources to study specific units of the course.

Second Semester: Preparing for the AP Test

By this time, you should be familiar with most of the material that you'll see on the test. This means you can start using full practice tests to judge how you'll score on the AP test and where your weaknesses lie. Remember to time yourself accurately when you take practice tests! Each time you take and score a practice test, you should also do an evaluation of your mistakes that will inform your studying going forward. Mistakes come in a few different forms, and things can be even more complex on the AP Biology test because there are technically four types of questions.

Focus on the multiple-choice section first, including the grid-ins. Notice whether your mistakes tend to happen on straightforward questions where you just didn't have the content knowledge or on questions that require deeper analysis. Were there specific content areas where you missed a significant number of questions? Keep track of this so that you can go back into your notes and review the appropriate unit(s). These are easy mistakes to fix.

Did you have trouble interpreting and analyzing scenarios on the test even though you knew the background information? The remedy for this is more practice. There are many sites with AP Bio practice questions available. This book of practice questions is also useful because the questions faithfully replicate the new design of the test.

It's possible that your problem lies outside the specifics of the questions and more in the format of the test. Did you run out of time? Make a ton of careless mistakes? The solution to this is greater awareness of your pacing and more practice questions.

Grid-ins are weird, so you may have had trouble on them if you're not big on the math aspect of biology. Try to find similar problems in your textbook, review book, or online so that you can practice your skills. The more math-oriented biology questions you do over time, the more likely it is that the questions on the test will be aligned with what you've already seen.

After taking your multiple-choice mistakes into account, you can move onto the free response section. Notice which questions gave you the most trouble and why. Did you forget the information you needed, or were you confused about what the question was asking or how to analyze a diagram? Take these findings and apply them to your future practice!

Looking for help studying for your AP exam?

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Essential AP Biology Practice Testing Tips

Follow these four tips to be sure to get the most out of your AP Biology practice tests.

#1: Replicate Realistic Test Conditions

It's always important to be faithful to the rules of the real test when you take practice tests so that your scores accurately reflect your potential. That means an hour and thirty minutes for each section. This is the only way to judge whether time is going to be an issue for you. You should also print out the test so that you take it in the right format. Have a calculator on hand as well. If you're really dedicated, you can even have someone serve as your mock proctor.

#2: Don't Panic if You're Not Familiar With Scenarios You See on the Test

Even if you've gone over every in-class lab that you had to do for AP Biology, you will still run into examples you haven't seen before. It's important not to psych yourself out when this happens. Focus on the diagrams and what you can learn from them, and see if you can think of a related experiment that will clue you into what they mean. Use your common sense; many questions will depend more heavily on your ability to analyze the situation at hand than on your memorization talent.

#3: Give Yourself Plenty of Time for the Grid-Ins

The so-called multiple-choice section also includes six grid-in questions. These questions are at the end of the section, and they will probably take you longer to solve than most multiple-choice questions. Try not to spend more than a minute on each multiple-choice question. If you find that you're taking too much time, you should move on and come back to it later!

#4: Spend 5-10 Minutes Reading the Free-Response Questions Before You Start Writing

It's a smart idea to start with the free-response questions that you know you can answer quickly and accurately. Leading with these questions will boost your confidence and help you avoid problems with time. Use the short reading period to look over all eight free-response questions and see which ones will be easiest for you to tackle.

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You should take plenty of practice tests as part of your studying for AP Biology. You can't expect pure memorization to save you on questions that ask you to analyze scenarios you've never seen before. Practice questions are the key to improvement!

You can use a mixture of official and unofficial tests to practice. Just be wary of major differences in your scores from test to test so that you can accurately assess your readiness for the final. You can even use these tests throughout the year to practice for specific units of the course. If you do enough serious practice, the real AP test will be a piece of cake (well, maybe not, but it will be much less traumatizing).

What's Next?

Check out my detailed guide to the AP Biology Exam for more information about what's on this test and how you can prepare for it.

Are you taking both AP tests and SAT Subject Tests? Find out which kind of test is more important and what the major differences are between the two.

Many students take AP classes in the hopes of earning credit for college coursework in high school. Learn more about how AP credit works in college.

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Samantha is a blog content writer for PrepScholar. Her goal is to help students adopt a less stressful view of standardized testing and other academic challenges through her articles. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar.

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., ap biology exam guide.

Do you understand the differences between DNA and RNA? Can you rattle off the phases of meiosis? The AP ® Biology exam tests topics and skills discussed in your high school Advanced Placement Biology course. If you score high enough, your AP Biology score could earn you college credit!

Check out our AP Biology Guide for what you need to know about the exam:

• AP Biology Exam Overview

Topics for AP Biology Review

• AP Biology Scoring
• How to Study

What’s on the AP Biology Exam?

The AP Biology exam is three hours long and consists of two sections: a multiple-choice/grid-in quantitative section and a free-response section.

AP Biology Multiple Choice

The 60 multiple-choice questions test your grasp of the fundamentals of biology and your ability to apply biological concepts to help solve problems.

AP Biology Free Response Questions

The free response section consists of two long-form free-response questions, both of which require data analysis, and four short-form free-response questions that require a paragraph-length response that covers your ability to describe, explain, predict, justify, or represent a given scenario. You will have 90 minutes to answer all 6 questions. Unlike the multiple-choice section, which is scored by a computer, the free-response section is graded by high school and college teachers. They have guidelines for awarding partial credit, so you may still receive partial points should you not correctly respond to every part of question in your essay.

The College Board is very detailed in what they require your AP teacher to cover in his or her AP Biology course. These are the official Big Four Ideas:

• Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
• Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
• Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
• Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

Read More: Review for the exam with our AP Biology Crash Courses

To fully understand the four big ideas, a solid grasp of the following topics is required. These topics include the following:

• Chemistry of Life: Important properties of water; pH; Carbohydrates; Proteins; Lipids; Nucleic acids; Origins of life
• Cell Structure and Function: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Organelles; Membranes and transport; Cell junctions; Cell communication
• Cellular Energetics: Change in free energy; Enzymes; Coupled reactions and ATP; Photosynthesis; Cellular respiration (glycolysis, Krebs, oxidative phosphorylation); Fermentation
• Cell Communication and Cell Cycle: Mitosis; Meiosis
• Heredity: Mendelian genetics; Inheritance patterns
• Gene Expression and Regulation:   DNA and genome structure; Transcription; Translation; Mutation; Biotechnology
• Natural Selection: Evidence of evolution; Phylogenetic trees; Impact of genetic variation; Speciation; Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
• Ecology: Behavior and communication; Food webs and energy pyramids; Succession; Communities and ecosystems; Global issues

Check out our Cracking the AP Biology Exam  and ASAP Biology books for a comprehensive content review.

 Interpreting AP Biology Scores

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or 5 on the AP Biology exam, but some may grant credit for a 3. Learn more about AP credit policies. Each test is curved so scores vary from year to year. Here’s how AP biology students scored on the May 2022 test:

Source: College Board

How can I prepare for the AP Bio Exam?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP Biology content and strategy, pick the AP prep option that works best for your goals and learning style.

• AP Exams  

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AP Biology Exam 2022

For details on the 2024 AP Biology Exam, check this article .

Unlike 2020 and 2021, when the College Board modified the AP exams as a response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the 2022 AP exams will return to its original format.

This year, the AP exams will take place over a two-week period in May: May 2–6 and May 9–13.

The College Board may change the format, however, if schools are disrupted in the spring due to COVID-19. 

“We’ll continue to monitor global, national, and local health conditions, putting the health and safety of students first, and if there are widespread school closures in spring 2022, we’ll provide options similar to those offered in 2021,” the College Board noted here . 

We will, of course, update this guide if that should happen.

The AP Biology exam for 2022 will be a full-length paper-and-pencil exam that students can take in school only. 

Here is what you need to know to do well in the upcoming AP Biology exam. 

Will I get college credit for the 2022 AP Biology exam?

Students who take the 2022 AP Biology exam will be eligible for college credit.

As in previous years, a student must obtain a score of 3, 4, or 5 to be eligible for college credit. 

How long is the 2022 AP Biology exam?

The 2022 AP Biology exam will be 3 hours long. 

What’s the 2022 AP Biology exam date and time?

The 2022 AP Biology exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11 at 12 PM local time .  

What will be tested on the 2022 AP Biology exam?

The 2022 AP Biology exam will test students on the whole course content, so be prepared to answer questions on these topics:

• Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
• Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
• Unit 3: Cellular Energetics
• Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
• Unit 5: Heredity
• Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation
• Unit 7: Natural Selection
• Unit 8: Ecology

What is the AP Biology exam format for 2022?

The 2022 AP Biology exam will be split equally between two sections: multiple-choice and free-response questions. Each section is worth 50 percent of the exam score. 

You will have 1 hour, 30 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions and 1 hour, 30 minutes to answer 6 free-response questions. 

The chart below shows the breakdown of the exam components. 

You may use a 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, such as this TI-84 graphing calculator by Texas Instruments , on the exam. You may also use the AP Biology Equations and Formulas Sheet .

Does the College Board offer any free AP Biology exam prep resources? 

The College Board is offering a number of free AP Biology exam resources to students to help them prepare for the exam.

AP Biology Practice Tests

You can get examples of free-response questions from past AP Biology exams for free. You can use these as practice tests to supplement other test prep materials you use.

Check here for free-response questions posed in the 2021 AP Biology exam. You can also log in to the AP Classroom Question Bank for questions posed in the 2020 exam. 

And check here for free-response questions from the 1999-2019 AP Biology exams. 

AP Biology Courses

The College Board’s AP YouTube channel gives students access to APLive classes and recordings delivered by AP teachers from across the country. Additionally, to help students review course content and skills before their exam, the College Board gives students access to the AP Daily: Live Review sessions for the 2021 AP Biology exam . 

What are my other options for preparing for the 2022 AP Biology exam?

If you don’t have an AP Biology review book already, check out TUN’s Textbook Save Engine to compare prices and get the best deals. 

There are also online resources that you can use to help you prepare for the 2022 AP Biology exam. 

Khan Academy

In partnership with the College Board, Khan Academy provides an official AP Biology course that comes with free instructional videos, articles, and practice exercises created by current and former AP teachers. In addition, Khan Academy offers free exam skills and strategies.

Princeton Review

The Princeton Review offers a 6-Hour AP Cram Course for the AP Biology exam. The course covers topics on DNA and RNA, the cell cycle, evolutionary biology, and more. A Princeton Review expert will help you get ready for test day. 

The course, which comes with a Princeton Review prep book, can be ordered online for $399. For now, there are 3 available Cram Course schedules.

• April 30 & May 1, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Eastern time)
• May 2 & 4, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Eastern time)
• May 7 & 8, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM (Eastern time)

The Princeton Review also offers private tutoring , available both in-person or online, for a fee starting at $206 an hour. If you decide to go with this personalized option, expert tutors will work with you to “make a plan, set goals, and exceed them.” The Princeton Review guarantees that if you’re not 100% satisfied, you will be matched with another tutor and get your next lesson for free. 

If you’re taking more than one AP exam in 2022, check TUN’s AP Exam Review for details on other AP exams.

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2024 AP Biology Exam Guide

12 min read • august 18, 2023

Your Guide to the 2024 AP Biology Exam

We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP Biology exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2024 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day.  Unlock Cram Mode  for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions. FYI, something cool is coming your way Fall 2023! 👀

Format of the 2024 AP Biology Exam

This year, all AP exams will cover all units and essay types. The 2024 Biology exam format will be:

Multiple Choice -  50% of your score

60 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes 

Individual questions

Sets of questions with 4-5 questions per set

Free Response - 50% of your score

6 Questions in 1 hour 30 Minutes

2 long questions worth 8-10 points each

4 short questions worth 4 points each

When is the 2024 AP Biology Exam and How Do I Take It?

AP Biology exam is on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 12:00 PM, your local time—this will be a paper test at your school.

You will have 3 hours to take the exam. Unlock Cram Mode to get updates on the latest 2024 exam news. 

How Should I Prepare for the Exam?

First, download the AP Biology Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses!

We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.

Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via  Cram Mode . Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.

Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment

Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.

🖥 Create a study space.

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

📚 Organize your study materials.

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.

The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

🤝 Get support from your peers.  

There are thousands of students all over the world who are preparing for their AP exams just like you! Join  Rooms  🤝 to chat, ask questions, and meet other students who are also studying for the spring exams. You can even build study groups and review material together! 

AP Biology 2024 Study Plan

🧪 unit 1: chemistry of life, big takeaways:.

Unit 1 introduces all chemistry concepts that need to be applied to biological principles. The key elements are named, macromolecules are defined, and the characteristics of the chemical contribution to life are laid out. The content in this unit can be a bit dry, with a focus on vocabulary and more detailed chemical applications than are seen in other aspects of the course. A lot of processes discussed in later units depend on a strong understanding of this unit.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

1.0 Overview of Unit 1

1.1 Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding

1.2 Elements of Life

1.3 Introduction to Biological Macromolecules

1.4 Properties of Biological Macromolecules

1.5 Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

1.6 Nucleic Acids

🎥 Watch these videos:

Unit 1 Review Part 1 and Part 2 : A full review of the main concepts

Properties of Biological Macromolecules : A review of the macromolecules and their functions

Structure of Water and Hydrogen Bonding : Focuses on the importance of water and the special properties that help sustain life

📰 Check out this article :

Introduction to Macromolecules (Khan Academy)

If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

➽ Can you answer these questions about macromolecules? Take this quiz!

🔥 Quick Tip: Identify what makes each of the four groups of macromolecules similar or different from each other. This will help you understand later concepts such as the plasma membrane and DNA!

🧬 UNIT 2: Cell Structure and Function

Unit 2 introduces all things cellular. It starts with a basic overview of cells (review!) and then moves into the various types of transport and how the chemical composition of the membrane controls the movement of molecules. The transport of molecules becomes a large topic in Unit 3: Cellular Energetics, so ensure that you are familiar with the composition of the plasma membrane and the various types of transport.

2.0 Overview of Unit 2

2.1 Cell Structure: Subcellular Components

2.2 Cell Structure and Function

2.3 Cell Size

2.4 Plasma Membranes

2.5 Membrane Permeability

2.6 Membrane Transport

2.7 Facilitated Diffusion

2.8 Tonicity and Osmoregulation

2.9 Mechanisms of Transport

2.10 Cell Compartmentalization

2.11 Origins of Cell Compartmentalization

Unit 2 Review : A full review of the main concepts

Mechanisms of Transport : A review of the various methods of transport across the membrane

Plasma Membranes : A deep dive into the structure of the membrane and its chemical makeup

📰 Check out this article:

Cell Transport Cheat Sheet (Cheatography)

 If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

➽ Can you answer these questions about cell transport? Take this quiz!

🔥  Quick Tip : Familiarize yourself with the function of most, if not all, cell organelles by using analogies to real-life scenarios and mnemonic devices!

🔋 UNIT 3: Cellular Energetics

Unit 3 is all about energy. This unit relies heavily on the knowledge gained in Unit 2, with a focus on organelles and cellular transport. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are the two biggest topics in this unit. Don’t worry... You do not need to have this memorized! You just need to understand the “why” behind the energetic processes.

3.0 Overview of Unit 3

3.1 Enzyme Structure

3.2 Enzyme Catalysis

3.3 Environmental Impacts on Enzyme Function

3.4 Cellular Energy

3.5 Photosynthesis

3.6 Cellular Respiration

3.7 Fitness

Unit 3 Review : A full review of the main concepts

Cellular Energy : A review of the importance of cellular energy with a focus on both cellular respiration and photosynthesis

Enzyme Catalysis : Focuses on enzymes, what they’re made of, and why they’re important

➽ Can you answer these questions about cellular respiration? Take this quiz!

🔥  Quick Tip : Use flashcards to highlight the major steps of cellular respiration and photosynthesis, the key players involved, and the byproducts of each process. It's easy to confuse NADPH with NADP+!

🦠 UNIT 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle

Unit 4 discusses the multiple methods in which cells communicate with each other, with a focus on signal transduction pathways. Mitosis and the regulation of the cell cycle are also major topics, along with feedback mechanisms with relation to the many different body systems.

4.0 Overview of Unit 4

4.1 Cell Communication

4.2 Introduction to Signal Transduction

4.3 Signal Transduction

4.4 Changes in Signal Transduction Pathways

4.5 Homeostasis & Feedback Loops

4.6 Cell Cycle

4.7 Regulation of Cell Cycle

Cell Communication : A review of the various types of cellular communication.

Feedback Mechanisms and the Cell Cycle : A review of both positive and negative feedback and how these can affect the cell cycle.

Endocrine System : A review of how cell signaling takes place in various parts of the body.

Cell Communication and Cell Cycle (Khan Academy)

➽ Can you answer these questions about cell communication? Take this quiz!

🔥  Quick Tip : Remember the acronym PMAT for the order of events of mitosis when it comes to the cell cycle and be sure to be able to name key events in each phase. Signal transduction and cell communication provide additional background on the technicalities behind various intracellular processes that could be asked on the exam.

👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 UNIT 5: Heredity

Unit 5 encompasses a lot of material. From meiosis to Mendelian and Non-Mendelian genetics, to chromosomal inheritance, there are many topics covered. The use of probability for both Mendelian and Non-Mendelian genetics is an important understanding, and this concept can be applied to chi-square analysis. 

5.0 Overview of Unit 5

5.1 Meiosis

5.2 Meiosis and Genetic Diversity

5.3 Mendelian Genetics

5.4 Non-Mendelian Genetics

5.5 Environmental Effects on Phenotype

5.6 Chromosomal Inheritance

Meiosis and an Intro to Heredity : An overview of meiosis with a preview of heredity concepts.

Mendelian and Non-Mendelian Genetics + Chi-Square : A jam-packed lesson on multiple inheritance patterns with math practice

📰 Check out these articles and Fiveable study guides:

H eredit y (Khan Academy)

✍️ Practice:

Work through this POGIL on the statistics of inheritance

➽ Can you answer these questions about genetics? Take this quiz!

🔥  Quick Tip : Practice your Punnett Squares and do lots of practice problems! Many students make careless mistakes because they gloss over them due to its seemingly easy-to-set-up nature.

👻 UNIT 6: Gene Expression and Regulation

This unit describes how a gene becomes a protein and the regulations that are in place for these processes. Transcription and translation are both discussed in detail. The regulation of genes is essential to the conservation of energy in all organisms, and the process can be quite complex. Lastly, mutations and biotechnology are discussed.

6.0 Overview of Unit 6

6.1 DNA and RNA Structure

6.2 Replication

6.3 Transcription and RNA Processing

6.4 Translation

6.5 Regulation of Gene Expression

6.6 Gene Expression and Cell Specialization

6.7 Mutations

6.8 Biotechnology

DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation : A full review of the major processes from unit 6

Gene Expression, Cell Specialization, and Mutations : A review of how genes are regulated and how this process can be disrupted

Biotechnology : An overview of the main methods of biotechnology tested on the AP exam

Gene Expression and Regulation (Khan Academy)

Work through this POGIL on Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes

➽ Can you answer these questions about gene regulation? Take this quiz!

🔥  Quick Tip : Do a quick refresher on the differences between DNA and RNA before making flashcards for the steps of DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Don't confuse those three processes with each other!

🦍 Unit 7: Natural Selection

Darwin’s theory of evolution, as well as his proposal of natural selection as the driving factor, is crucial in understanding how ecosystems function. Organisms that are more apt to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their genetic code. This is the basis for the survival of the fittest and natural selection. There is a lot of evidence to support Darwin’s theory of evolution, including analyzing structures of different species as well as noting similarities and differences of species over time. 

7.0 Overview of Unit 7

7.1 Introduction to Natural Selection

7.2 Natural Selection

7.3 Artificial Selection

7.4 Population Genetics

7.5 Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

7.6 Evidence of Evolution

7.7 Common Ancestry

7.8 Continuing Evolution

7.9 Phylogeny

7.10 Speciation

7.11 Extinction

7.12 Variations in Population

7.13 Origin of Life in Earth

Origins of Life : A review on the origins of life and the Miller Urey experiment

Microevolution & Natural Selection : Learn about populations, antibiotic resistance, and heterozygous advantage

Microevolution and Hardy Weinberg : Details of the evolution of DNA and genes with multiple Hardy Weinberg practice problems

Extinction, Variation in Populations, and the Origins of Life : An overview of the process of extinction, variation in populations, and the various theories of the origins of life.

Hardy-Weinberg : A brief review of genetics, common vocabulary, and practice questions

Macroevolution : An overview of all things macro and microevolution, including speciation and reproduction

Extinction, variation, and origins of life on Earth Trivia

Macroevolution Mini-Trivia

➽ Can you answer these questions about natural selection? Take this quiz!

 🌲 Unit 8: Ecology

Ecology is all about the interactions that organisms have amongst themselves and with their environment. This can be seen on a small scale, within populations, and on larger scales, in ecosystems, and across the globe. The relationships that exist between organisms are complex and ever-changing. We are constantly responding to our environment and those around us. Some of the largest problems plaguing our planet right now are the largest culprits to the changing landscape of ecosystems across the globe. All of these issues come together in the awesome unit of Ecology.

8.0 Overview of Unit 8

8.1 Responses to the Environment

8.2 Energy Flow Through Ecosystems

8.3 Population Ecology

8.4 Effect of Density of Populations

8.5 Community Ecology

8.6 Biodiversity

8.7 Disruptions to Ecosystems

Population Ecology : A review on population ecology, calculating the rate and growth of populations, and abiotic and biotic factors

Nutrient Cycles & Succession : A discussion on various nutrient cycles and ecological succession

Community Ecology : An overview on community ecology and the relationship among different species in the same environment

Ecology | AP®︎/College Biology | Science

➽ Can you answer these questions about ecology? Take this quiz!

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