AP Biology
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About the Exam
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 the exam.
Exam Duration
3hrs
3hrs
Exam Dates
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Fri, May 14, 2021,
8 AM LocalAP Biology Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Biology Exam.
Exam Components
Section 1: Multiple Choice
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:
- Explain biological concepts, processes, and models
- Analyze diagrams, flow charts, and other visual representations
- Use the scientific method
- Perform mathematical calculations to analyze data
- Support scientific claims with evidence
Section 2: Free Response
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:
- Interpret and evaluate results from an experiment
- Graph and analyze data
- Understand the principles and procedures of lab investigations
- Predict the causes or effects of a change in a biological system
- Analyze a visual representation of a biological phenomenon
Exam Essentials
Exam Preparation
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AP Classroom Resources
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AP Biology Exam Free-Response Question and Scoring Information Archive
Review free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from 2018 and earlier.
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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.
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