AP Biology
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The AP Biology Exam will test your understanding of the biological concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to utilize the scientific method and analyze data. You are allowed to use a four-function calculator (with square root), scientific, or graphing functions throughout exam.
Fri, May 14, 2021,
8 AM Local
This is the Administration 1 date for the AP Biology Exam.
Thu, May 27, 2021,
12 PM EDT
This is the Administration 2 date for the AP Biology Exam.
Fri, Jun 11, 2021,
12 PM EDT
This is the Administration 3 date for the AP Biology Exam.
Note on 2021 Exams
There are differences between the paper and digital versions of some 2021 AP Exams, and those variations differ by course. The information below applies to AP Biology only. View a summary of all 2021 AP Exam formats.
Both the paper and digital versions of the AP Biology Exam will be full length and measure the full range of skills and knowledge specified in the course and exam description. On the digital exam, you’ll answer free-response questions with a keyboard, rather than by hand. If you take the digital exam, you won’t be asked to draw or graph as part of your response — rather, these skills will be assessed with questions about given graphs or other stimuli. No handwritten or photographed work will be accepted.
60 questions 1hr 30mins 50% of Score
The multiple-choice section includes individual, single questions as well as sets of questions that refer to the same diagram or data presentation.
Questions will test your ability to:
6 questions 1hr 30mins 50% of Score
The free-response section includes two long free-response questions and four short-answer questions.
Questions will test your ability to:
AP Classroom Resources
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2019 AP Biology Free-Response Questions and Scoring Guidelines
Review the released free-response questions and the scoring guidelines. Because of updates to the AP Biology course and exam design after the 2019 exam, FRQs from 2019 and earlier may not directly reflect the format of questions which will appear on the 2021 and future exams. Please see the course and exam description for the most up-to-date exam format and sample questions.
AP Biology Exam Free-Response Question and Scoring Information Archive
Review free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from 2018 and earlier.
AP Biology Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.