AP® Biology Exam Guide

Should I Take AP Biology?

The course is designed to be challenging, so acing the AP Biology course plus achieving a score of 3+ is an impressive accomplishment that may be more attainable for students who can answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions:

1. Have You Studied Biology in High School?

   It is recommended across the board that students intending to opt for AP Biology should study biology at the high school level. It is even better if students take Chemistry, as well. Many concepts in AP Biology require an understanding of chemical compounds and reactions. While you can still take AP Biology without taking biology as a subject in high school, it isn’t suggested. It can be very challenging to grasp concepts and do well because the foundation you would’ve otherwise built from studying high school biology would be lacking.

2. Are You Passionate About Biology?

   If you are naturally drawn to biology and find the subject matter interesting, you will likely enjoy this course. This course will allow you to explore various advanced biology concepts in a new way allowing you to delve deeper into exciting topics like molecular biology, natural selection, genetics, and ecology. You’ll explore the intertwined nature of biological systems from a microscopic scale to a macroscopic scale. If this excites you, AP Biology is a good fit for you.

3. Do You Want To Study Biology in College?

   For students who are 100% certain they want to pursue a biology major in college, taking AP Biology and crushing the exam is a no-brainer since it’s a great way to knock out a foundational prerequisite course. Suppose you are considering a biology major vs. another science major. In that case, AP Biology allows you to see whether you like biology over the other sciences, so your academic and career goals are clear early in college. High-achieving students who lean more toward other subjects also take AP Biology and achieve big things by demonstrating to colleges that they are academically well-rounded, plus scoring credit toward their general education requirements.

4. Has Biology Been a High-Scoring Subject in the Past?

   If you're considering AP Biology, you should know how well you can do in biology based on your previous science coursework. While being passionate about the subject is important, it’s equally essential to be able to study and ace the exams. If one of your academic strengths has been biology, then AP Biology is a good fit for you.

We also recommend that you talk to people you know who have taken AP Biology and the exam at your school. They can help you understand what to expect so you can decide whether the course is right for you.

Going through the course curriculum is another excellent way to explore whether the topics covered in AP Biology interest you. Additionally, you can consider enrolling in an AP Biology prep course to prepare for the exam and gain a deeper understanding of the material.

How Hard Is AP Biology?

One common question is, “Is AP Biology hard?” Just like trying to decide whether AP Biology is the subject for you, figuring out if it's hard or not is also subjective. The answer to the question depends on your aptitude for biology and your ability to prepare for a challenging exam.

We've put together a few pointers to help you gauge how easy or difficult you might find the course in this AP Biology exam guide.

• If you have a strong background in math and science, you may find the AP Biology exam more manageable. The course builds on high school biology, math, and chemistry knowledge, but success requires mastering complex concepts, applying scientific reasoning, and developing strong writing skills. AP Biology emphasizes application-based exam questions, requiring a deep understanding of material and the ability to draw scientific conclusions. For more detailed information on the course, key topics and units, refer to the AP Biology course and exam description.
• Consider your academic and extracurricular commitments when deciding if you have time for AP Biology. If your schedule is already packed, balancing this course with other responsibilities may be overwhelming. Talking to your guidance counselor can help you assess whether AP Biology is a good fit for your abilities and overall workload.

AP Biology Exam Review Tips

AP Biology may be challenging, but we have a few quick exam review tips to help you ace the exam!

1. Make a schedule:

   Plan your study time to stay on track with the material. You can review practice test questions as you cover each unit or set aside specific time blocks for weekly or monthly reviews. Consistent preparation will help reinforce concepts, especially those you covered earlier in the year.

2. Get familiar with the exam's format:

   Understand the structure of the exam so you know what to expect. The test is split evenly between multiple-choice and written questions. Practice answering sample questions to develop a clear structure for your written responses and demonstrate your ability to apply what you've learned.

3. Test prep toolkit:

   Build a collection of review resources beyond your textbook. Create a formula sheet for quick reference and deeper understanding.

   Invest in quality prep materials such as UWorld's online AP Biology practice tests, which allow you to track progress and review detailed answer explanations with educational illustrations. Challenging yourself with these resources will help you feel confident on test day.

Check out our guide on How to Study AP Biology for more AP Biology exam review tips. Additionally, you can use our AP Biology Study Guide, available in both print and digital formats, to further enhance your preparation. It includes over 120 end-of-topic "Check for Understanding" questions, designed to help reinforce the material and ensure you grasp key concepts.