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AP®︎/College Biology

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, unit 9: worked examples of ap®︎ biology free response questions, unit 10: ap®︎ biology standards mappings.

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AP® Biology Homework Help & Tutors

The AP Biology exam covers lots of topics. From anatomy and physiology, to biochemistry and ecology. Biology is such a broad subject, it can be a daunting task to prepare for the AP exam. But that’s what we’re here for. Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, sign on and connect to an AP Biology tutor that can help you solve the problem. You can keep up in class, and aim for a strong AP Bio score in May.

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Whether you are looking to review AP Biology a few weeks before the exam, or want to brush up on some chapters you missed, we have tutors who can help. Don't let the theory of evolution keep you from getting the grade you deserve. Gain 24/7 access to AP Biology homework help and be guaranteed to get the help you need, when you need it. Get AP Biology homework help now .

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AP® Biology

The best ap® biology review guide for 2024.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: January 23, 2024

Are you planning on taking the AP® Biology exam? If so, let’s get you prepared in this AP® Biology review by learning more about the exam and how to study so that you can feel confident and earn your best score and, potentially, college credit.

The AP® Biology exam is graded on a scale of 1-5, and you can earn college credits at many colleges for receiving a score as low as a 3, which is estimated to be approximately equivalent to earning a C, C+, or B- in a college-level biology course. However, there is quite a bit of variation between colleges in what test scores they will award credit for, if any, so be sure to check with the specific colleges you are interested in to see what score(s) they accept.

In this AP® Biology review post, we’ll go over key questions you may have about the exam, how to study for AP® Biology, and how to review and use AP® Biology exam practice resources, including AP® Biology practice tests, as you begin preparing for your exam.

Are you ready? Let’s get started.

What We Review

What’s the Format of the 2024 AP® Biology Exam?

The AP® Biology exam is composed of two sections: multiple choice and free response. There are 60 multiple-choice questions and 6 free-response questions (2 long-answer questions and 4 short-answer questions).

All AP® Biology exams will be taken with paper and pencil, not on computers.

How Long is the AP® Biology Exam?

The AP® Biology exam is a 3-hour exam. Students will have 90 minutes to complete 60 multiple-choice questions and another 90 minutes to complete 6 free-response questions. 

How Many Questions Does AP® Biology Have?

The AP® Biology exam has 60 multiple-choice questions and 6 free-response questions. Of the 6 free-response questions, 4 are short-answer questions, while the other 2 are long-answer questions.

What Topics are Covered on AP® Biology? 

There are two types of questions on the AP® Biology exam: multiple choice and free response.

Section I: Multiple-Choice

The AP® Biology exam multiple choice section assesses both content knowledge and science practices , with questions designed to do both. These multiple-choice questions may be either individual or in sets of four to five questions per set.

The content knowledge within the eight different course units is broken down into four big ideas , with learning objectives related to each:

• Evolution (EVO)
• Energetics (ENE)
• Information Storage and Transmission (IST)
• Systems Interactions (SYI)

Questions within each content area, with the relevant learning objectives addressed, are weighted in the multiple choice section as shown; resources for study, AP® Biology review, and AP® Biology exam practice for each section are also provided. You can use this to make an AP® Biology study guide.

Source: College Board

Return to the Table of Contents

While no units are specifically devoted to prokaryotes and viruses, a basic understanding of prokaryotic and virus structure, evolution, ecology, and diversity will be helpful since prokaryotic and eukaryotic mechanisms are compared in various units. Thus, we recommend that you review this information as well.

The six different science practices are divided into skills and are also assessed in the multiple choice section and weighted as shown:

You can also get AP® Biology exam practice in both the science practice and content knowledge by completing the Albert practice questions associated with each of the 13 lab activities.

Section II: Free Response

The AP® Biology free response questions are also designed to assess both content knowledge and science practices and are organized around the science practices and the four big ideas for the course. 

The free-response questions are designed as follows, with each of the short-answer questions also assessing one of the four big ideas:

You will be provided an AP® Biology Equations and Formulas Sheet that you may use on either section of the exam. You are also permitted to use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator throughout the exam.

Return to the Table of Contents  

What Do AP® Biology Questions Look Like?

Because taking an exam is a skill, completing AP® Biology exam practice questions and then reviewing the answers carefully is a great way to prepare for the AP® Biology exam so that you are not caught off guard by any content or question formats. The AP® Biology Course and Exam Description (CED) for AP® Biology from the College Board provides 15 multiple-choice practice questions and correct answers that address content knowledge from all eight units as well as skills from all six science practices.

The CED for AP® Biology also provides two practice free-response questions (one long-answer question and one short-answer question) with detailed grading rubrics. The College Board has also released the free-response questions with scoring guidelines from the last 20+ years’ worth of exams. The College Board has also released a complete practice exam with answers based upon the 2013 exam . Albert also provides a wide variety of both AP® Biology exam practice multiple-choice and free-response questions and answers, as well as unit assessments and complete AP® Biology practice tests .

Multiple-Choice Examples

Here are some examples of the types of multiple-choice questions you may see, as well as the correct answer, unit(s), and science practice(s) that each question (or question set) assesses.

Example #1:

AP® Biology Course and Exam Description (CED)

Correct Answer: C

This question challenges students on one core principle and one science practice.

For Unit 2 (Cell Structure and Function), you should flag the topic of tonicity and osmoregulation as important.

For Science Practice 2 (Visual Representations), you should flag the following as important:

• Explain relationships between different characteristics of biological concepts, processes, or models represented visually in applied contexts.

Example #2:

For Unit 1 (Chemistry of Life), you should flag the topic of properties of biological macromolecules as important.

For Science Practice 1 (Concept Explanation), you should flag the following as important:

• Explain biological concepts and/or processes.

AP® Biology Practice Test from the 2013 Administration – MC Examples #10-13

Examples #3-6

Correct Answer #10: C

Correct Answer #11: B

Correct Answer #12: D

Correct Answer #13: B

These questions challenge students on one core principle and two science practices.

For Unit 8 (Ecology), you should flag the topic of population ecology as important.

For Science Practice 6 (Argumentation), you should flag the following as important:

• Support a claim with evidence from biological principles, concepts, processes, and/or data.
• Provide reasoning to justify a claim by connecting evidence to biological theories.
• Predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a biological system based on data.

Free-Response Examples

Note that the specific focus of each free-response question is more targeted than in years past.

When writing answers to free-response questions, be sure to write your answers in the designated space only and in complete paragraphs. Bulleted lists, outlines, and diagrams without explanation are not acceptable and will not be graded. Also be sure that you well understand the various task verbs used, as explained in the AP® Biology Course and Exam Description (CED) . 

Here are two examples of the types of free response questions you may see, as well as the correct answer, scoring rubric, and commentary for each question. The unit(s), and science practice(s) that each question assesses is also provided. One long-answer question and one short-answer question are shown.

Example #1: AP® Biology Long-Answer Free-Response:

Carefully review the scoring rubric provided for this question.

This question challenges students on three core principles: Natural Selection (Unit 7), Gene Expression and Regulation (Unit 6), and the Chemistry of Life (Unit 1).

Here’s the content that you should flag as important from this question: 

• Unit 7: Natural Selection, Population Genetics, and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
• Unit 6: Mutations
• Unit 1: Structure and Function of Macromolecules

This question also covers 4 of the science practices: Concept Explanation (Science Practice 1), Questions and Methods (Science Practice 3), Representing and Describing Data (Science Practice 4), Statistical Tests and Data Analysis (Science Practice 5).

Here are the science practices that you should flag as important from this question: 

Science Practice 1: Concept Explanation:

• Describe biological concepts and/or processes.
• Explain biological concepts, processes, and/or models in applied contexts.

Science Practice 3: Questions and Methods: 

• Identify experimental procedures that are aligned to the question

Science Practice 4: Representing and Describing Data: 

• Describe data from a table or graph.
• Science Practice 5: Statistical Tests and Data Analysis: Perform mathematical calculations.
• Science Practice 6: Argumentation: Support a claim with evidence from biological principles, concepts, processes, and/or data.

Example #2: AP® Biology Short-Answer Free-Response:

This question challenges students on one core principle, Heredity (Unit 5). 

• Unit 5: Meiosis and Genetic Diversity, Mendelian Genetics
• Science Practice 1: Concept Explanation: Describe biological concepts and/or processes.
• Science Practice 2: Visual Representations: Explain relationships between different characteristics of biological concepts, processes, or models represented visually

What Can You Bring to the AP® Biology Exam?

Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early at your testing location.

The College Board is rather specific about what you can and cannot bring to the AP® Biology exam. You are at risk of having your score not count if you do not carefully follow instructions. We recommend that you carefully review these guidelines and pack your bag the night before so that you do not have any additional stress on the morning of the exam.

What You Should Bring to Your AP® Biology Exam :

You should bring:

• At least 2 sharpened No. 2 pencils for completing the multiple-choice section.
• At least 2 pens with black or blue ink only. These are used to complete certain areas of your exam booklet covers and to write your free-response questions. The College Board is very specific that pens should be in black or blue ink only, so please double-check!
• A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator to use on both the multiple-choice and free-response sections of the exam. You may actually bring two calculators. Calculators cannot connect to the internet, make noise, or have a stylus or keyboard. For more information about acceptable versus unacceptable calculators, look here .
• If you do not attend the school where you are taking an exam, you must bring a government-issued or school-issued photo ID.
• If you receive any testing accommodations , be sure that you bring your College Board SSD Accommodations Letter.

What You Should NOT Bring to Your AP® Biology Exam:

You should not bring:

• smartwatches and other wearable technology (including watches that beep or have alarms)
• separate timers
• devices that access the internet or communicate in any way
• Mechanical pencils, colored pencils, or pens that do not have black/blue ink
• Your own scratch paper
• Reference guides (note that you will be provided with an AP® Biology Equations and Formulas Sheet )
• Food or drink, including bottled water, are not permitted in the test room, but are permitted in the break room

How to Study for AP® Biology: 5 Steps to Get a 5

1. Take an AP® Biology practice test. (3 hours)

Identify your areas of strength as well as focus areas for review by taking an Albert AP® Biology practice test . Be sure to have a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator to use.

2. Make a schedule. (1 hour)

Determine your exam date and format. Then, start preparing early, giving yourself at least two months if possible. After taking an Albert AP® Biology practice test to identify areas for study, make a schedule, giving yourself at least a week for each content unit on your AP® Biology study guide. 

• While you should prioritize material where you struggle, spending at least a week on each unit, also review those units you know better for at least 2-3 days each to stay sharp so that you can answer these questions quickly. 
• If you are running short on study time, prioritize Units 3, 6, and 7 since these are the most heavily weighted on the exam, and spend less time reviewing Units 1 and 5 since these will be covered the least.

3. Review challenging concepts using your resources and build your AP® Biology study guide. (2-5 hours)

Use your high school textbook and notes and other accessible materials (like OpenStax Biology , Khan Academy , or CK-12 ) for AP® Biology review of the various content areas. As you review each chapter, build your AP® Biology study guide, the outline of which has already been provided above, to include important key words and concepts for each unit.

4. Use AP® Biology exam practice resources. (20-25 hours)

The best way to become effective at test-taking is by answering lots and lots of AP® Biology exam practice questions because practice makes perfect!

Use the AP® Biology exam practice questions provided by the College Board , the Albert AP® Biology exam practice questions for each unit, as well as unit assessments to support your study. 

5. Get more AP® Biology exam practice. (3 hours)

After completing steps 1-4, take another Albert AP® Biology practice test to identify content areas that require more review.

AP® Biology Review: 15 Must-Know Study Tips

5 AP® Biology Study Tips to Do at Home:

1. be consistent..

Devote time to studying and preparing daily. Even if it is just a few minutes on some days when you are busy, be sure to study each and every day.

2. Use an app like Quizlet for studying key terms.

There are already a bunch flashcards and study guides preloaded into Quizlet (vocab lists from your textbook may already be available), or you can easily make your own. Then, you can be reviewing key terms and studying whenever you have a few free moments (like standing in line at the store, riding the bus, etc.). If this doesn’t work for you, you can still make flashcards the old-fashioned way using index cards.

3. Remove distractions.

It is easy to become distracted during studying by texting, SnapChats, e-mailing, listening to music, etc. Unfortunately, multitasking is ineffective; it takes about 25 minutes to return to a task after a distraction. Therefore, you can be much more time efficient and productive if you study distraction-free.

4. Study with a buddy. 

It can be helpful to meet and study with a friend periodically. It can be helpful to talk out concepts from your AP® Biology study guide with each other because they might describe it differently and in a way that you more easily understand. Additionally, having regular appointments to do so can help to hold you accountable to get through your study plan at a regular pace and not slack off. However, while you can also schedule in time for fun and hanging out after your study appointments, make sure that your planned study time is focused on actual studying.

5. Learn how to use your calculator. 

Remember that you cannot use your phone as a calculator on the AP® Biology exam. Therefore, make sure that you have a calculator that meets the requirements and that you know how to use it. Practice using it as you complete AP® Biology exam practice questions and AP® Biology practice tests. The first time you use it should NOT be during the AP® Biology exam.

5 AP® Biology Multiple Choice Study Tips:

1. pace yourself. .

You will have 90 minutes to complete 60 multiple choice questions on the AP® Biology exam. Thus, you should spend no more than 2 minutes on any one question during your first pass through the questions (this assumes that you will move more quickly through other questions). If you get stuck, mark the question, eliminating any answer choices you can, and move on. Then, come back later after you have completed all other questions. Make sure you fill in an answer for each question. 

2. Imagine the correct answer.

After carefully reading a question, come up with a mental image of an answer before examining the answer choices. Choose an answer that matches your mental image and then justify your choice. Then, justify why you eliminated each of the other choices. If you cannot choose an answer, eliminate as many as possible, then make your best choice. When using the Albert AP® Biology Practice questions , carefully read the explanations of both the correct and incorrect choices, even if you got the answer correct.

3. Carefully examine any visual materials provided. 

Make sure you examine any labels, titles, axes, and legends on tables, graphs, figures, or any other types of images so that you have a clear understanding of how to interpret the visual materials provided in order to answer the questions associated with these materials.

4. Be ready to handle questions that are grouped as sets. 

While many of the multiple choice questions are individual, you should expect a few sets of 2-4 questions. Make sure you know which questions are included as a question set. Questions within a set are all typically associated with one or more figures or tables. While these questions are related, don’t give up if you don’t know the answer to the first question. Each question can typically be answered independently of the others within the set. 

5. Check your work.

If possible, plan to use at least 10-15 minutes of the exam time to check your work. First, return to any questions that you found difficult to compete on the first pass, being sure to select an answer. Then, review your answers to all of the questions, ensuring that you have answered each and every question.

5 AP® Biology Free Response Study Tips:

1. keep track of time..

You will have 90 minutes to complete the 6 free response questions on the AP® Biology exam. Because each of the two long-answer questions are more extensive and together are worth over half of the free response section (10 points each), you should plan to spend about 20 minutes on each. Then, spend no more than 10 minute on each of the four short-answer questions (worth 4 points each). Use any remaining time to review your answers, making sure they are complete.

2. Make sure you understand the scoring rubrics.

The College Board has provided a clear scoring rubric for each of the six free response questions (provided above, from the AP® Biology Course and Exam Description (CED) ). Be sure that you are writing your answers with these rubrics in mind, fully addressing each part. Additionally, within the AP® Biology Course and Exam Description (CED) ), the College Board has also provided detailed scoring guidelines (also provided above) for both a long-answer question and short-answer question. Review these carefully, making sure you understand what is required to earn each and every point. While the College Board has also provided the scoring guidelines for the many free response questions from past exams that they have made available for practice, as well as Chief Reader Reports from past exams that summarize both how students performed on a particular question and what the readers were looking for, remember that the focus of the free response questions on the 2021 AP® Biology exam is different than in years past, so these examples will be slightly different than what you will see when you take the exam.

3. Focus on the verbs.

For each question, focus on its verbs and other clarifying words. Underline or circle each bolded word as well as other key words. Make sure you understand what each task verb is asking you to do. Review the list of AP® task verbs provided above.

4. Write in complete sentences and paragraphs.

The directions for the free response section clearly state that “outlines, bulleted lists, or diagrams alone are not acceptable and will not be scored”. Thus, make sure to write your answers in complete sentences and organize your thoughts into paragraphs, using the space provided for each question.

5. Ensure that you follow these 5 must-dos to answer each question completely: 

• It is common for students to restate the question as they answer a free response question, but this is not necessary and is a waste of precious time. Instead, focus on directly answering what the question is asking. Past Chief Reader Reports from the College Board recommend careful reading and addressing of the prompt.
• The free-response questions are commonly broken into parts. Make sure that you answer each part. Additionally, make sure that you are actually answering what each question is asking. 
• If a calculation is required, be sure to clearly mark your final answer, and show your work as to how you reached that answer.
• If asked to make a table or graph (at least one of the long-answer questions will require this), be sure to follow standard conventions: include a title, label columns or axes (including units), plot points. Draw a line or curve only through the data provided and do not extrapolate unless asked to do so.
• Be succinct but complete in your answers, completing each thought (“closing the loop”). You will not earn points simply for quantity, but rather, for quality. The AP® graders will not know what you were thinking or what you meant; they only know what you wrote. DO NOT PROVIDE ONLY A SINGLE SENTENCE ANSWER to any question. 
• When making an argument, use the structure of “claim-evidence-reasoning”, making sure that you include each of these three components in your answer.

AP® Biology: 5 Test Day Tips to Remember

1. get a good night’s sleep the night before..

Complete your intense studying by the afternoon the day before the exam, then have a good dinner and get a good night’s sleep (6-8 hours, if possible). Set your alarm, giving yourself plenty of time for breakfast and for driving to the exam site.

2. Pack your bag the night before:

Review the items that you are and are not allowed to bring to the AP® Biology exam and pack accordingly. Use Albert’s convenient checklist for packing. Include a snack and some water for the break room, but remember that these are not allowed in the testing room.

3. Replace the batteries in your calculator.  

Because you don’t want your calculator running out of juice during the exam, be sure to change the batteries in your calculator with a fresh set within a day or so before the exam.

4. Eat a healthy breakfast.

Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of the exam. Make sure that it includes both protein and carbs and is not all sugary foods. Also, try to avoid over-caffeinating–you don’t want to be jittery.

5. Make sure you are free of electronic gadgets.  

In this day and age, we have become so accustomed to having or wearing technology. Be sure that you are technology-free when walking into the exam room: no phones, earbuds, smart watches, bluetooth, etc.

AP® Biology Review Notes and Practice Test Resources

Here are our recommendations for resources to review for and prepare for the AP® Biology exam: Your High School Biology Textbook, Notes, Homework Assignments, Exams, Laboratory Activities, and Other Resources Provided by Your Teacher.

If you are taking an AP® Biology course, your teacher has carefully designed the course to prepare you for the AP® Biology exam. Use the many resources that your teacher has provided for AP® Biology review, carefully reviewing your notes, exams, homework assignments, etc. 

AP® Biology Practice Materials Provided by the College Board:

The College Board has provided quite a lot in the way of practice materials for the AP® Biology exam. Throughout this document, we have mentioned the AP® Biology Course and Exam Description (CED) multiple times. You should review this document carefully. Note that there are 15 multiple choice practice questions and correct answers that address content knowledge from all eight units as well as skills from all six science practices. This document also provides two practice free response questions (one long-answer question and one short-answer question) with detailed grading rubrics. 

The College Board has also released the free-response questions with scoring guidelines from the 20 years’ worth of exams through 2019. The College Board has also released a complete AP® Biology practice test with answers based upon the 2013 exam .

OpenStax AP® Biology Textbook and Resources :

This is a great freely available textbook with associated resources designed specifically for preparing for the AP® Biology exam. There are additional resources available for students, including a student solutions manual (requires you to set up a free account) that includes solutions to many of the questions within the text. There is also a reading and notetaking guide that provides strategies for how to read the textbook and take notes as well as study.

• Use this site if: you are looking for a high-quality textbook specifically designed for preparing for the AP® Biology exam, including content knowledge and science practice questions at the end of each chapter.
• Do not use this site if: you are looking for a variety of high-quality videos to display and show the material.

Khan Academy AP/College Biology Resources :

The Khan Academy provides high quality, freely available, specific resources in support of preparing for the AP® Biology exam. Each section includes short readings and videos about the various topics, as well as practice questions, quizzes, and unit tests. While you can access these materials without signing up or logging in, by setting up an account, you can save your progress through the materials. 

• Use this site if: you are a visual learner. There are lots of great videos available.
• Do not use this site if: you primarily learn by reading only or if you find it bothersome switching back and forth between methods of content presentation.

CK-12 Biology for High School Resources :

This is another great freely available set of resources including the CK-12 Biology Advanced Concepts FlexBook . Each section has practice questions associated with it. 

• Use this site if: you learn well from completing worksheets (from the CK-12 Biology Workbook FlexBook ) and lots of sample quizzes and tests (from the CK-12 Biology Quizzes and Tests FlexBook ).
• Do not use this site if: you are looking for a resource that is organized in the same way as the AP® Biology exam.

Albert AP® Biology Practice Questions, Unit Assessments, and Practice Exams :

Albert has developed a series of high-quality resources to support you in your preparation for the AP® Biology exam. There are AP® Biology exam practice questions (both multiple choice and free response ) for each of the 8 content units, organized by the unit and topics found on the AP® Biology exam. For each question, clear descriptions of the correct answer as well as explanations for eliminating the incorrect answers are provided. There are also unit assessments for each of the 8 content units, as well as 4 complete AP® Biology Practice Exams . Albert also provides questions to allow for the data analysis from 13 different laboratory activities , allowing students to further practice the Science Practices also found on the AP® Biology exam.

Return to the Table of Content  

Summary: The Best AP® Biology Review Guide

We have covered a lot in this AP® Bio review guide, so let’s regroup and summarize:

Exam Structure: The exam will take 3 hours to complete and is composed of two 90-minute sections:

Main Topics Covered: The exam will cover 8 content units and 6 science practices, as shown below, with each question typically covering one or more of each:

8 Content Units:

• 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

6 Science Practices:

• Science Practice 1: Concept Explanation
• Science Practice 2: Visual Representations
• Science Practice 3: Questions and Methods
• Science Practice 4: Representing and Describing Data
• Science Practice 5: Statistical Tests and Data Analysis
• Science Practice 6: Argumentation

How to Study for the AP® Biology Exam:

• Take an AP® Biology practice test
• Make a schedule
• Review challenging concepts using your resources and build your AP® Biology study guide
• Use AP® Biology exam practice resources
• Get more AP® Biology exam practice

We hope you have found this AP® Biology review guide useful. If you worked hard throughout the year in your class, have built out a good AP® Biology study guide using the advice and resources provided here, and have practiced extensively (using lots of AP® Biology practice questions and AP® Biology practice tests), you should feel positive and confident that you have what it takes to earn a strong score. Good luck!

Interested in a school license?​

7 thoughts on “the best ap® biology review guide for 2024”.

Do you have one for AP® Environmental???

We will be working to release one by 4/17!

Hey Eric — in case you missed it — here is the APES review guide: https://www.albert.io/blog/ap-environmental-science-review/

I’ve heard that if you pay for the subscription, do all of the practice questions, and don’t get a four or five on the AP® exam you get a refund. Is this true?

Hi Carissa — that is a very old guarantee from our Learnerator days. We no longer offer that at this time. Thanks for asking!

will there be a score calculator for this year’s test?

Yes — our score calculator for AP® Bio is here: https://www.albert.io/blog/ap-biology-score-calculator/

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Chapter Summary

25.1 digestive systems.

Different animals have evolved different types of digestive systems specialized to meet their dietary needs. Humans and many other animals have monogastric digestive systems with a single-chambered stomach. Birds have evolved a digestive system that includes a gizzard where the food is crushed into smaller pieces. This compensates for their inability to masticate. Ruminants that consume large amounts of plant material have a multi-chambered stomach that digests roughage. Pseudo-ruminants have similar digestive processes as ruminants but do not have the four-compartment stomach. Processing food involves ingestion (eating), digestion (mechanical and enzymatic breakdown of large molecules), absorption (cellular uptake of nutrients), and elimination (removal of undigested waste as feces).

Many organs work together to digest food and absorb nutrients. The mouth is the point of ingestion and the location where both mechanical and chemical breakdown of food begins. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase that breaks down carbohydrates. The food bolus travels through the esophagus by peristaltic movements to the stomach. The stomach has an extremely acidic environment. An enzyme called pepsin digests protein in the stomach. Further digestion and absorption take place in the small intestine. The large intestine reabsorbs water from the undigested food and stores waste until elimination.

25.2 Nutrition and Energy Production

Animal diet should be balanced and meet the needs of the body. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the primary components of food. Some essential nutrients are required for cellular function but cannot be produced by the animal body. These include vitamins, minerals, some fatty acids, and some amino acids. Food intake in more than necessary amounts is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells, and in fat cells. Excess adipose storage can lead to obesity and serious health problems. ATP is the energy currency of the cell and is obtained from the metabolic pathways. Excess carbohydrates and energy are stored as glycogen in the body.

25.3 Digestive System Processes

Digestion begins with ingestion, where the food is taken in the mouth. Digestion and absorption take place in a series of steps with special enzymes playing important roles in digesting carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Elimination describes removal of undigested food contents and waste products from the body. While most absorption occurs in the small intestines, the large intestine is responsible for the final removal of water that remains after the absorptive process of the small intestines. The cells that line the large intestine absorb some vitamins as well as any leftover salts and water. The large intestine (colon) is also where feces is formed.

25.4 Digestive System Regulation

The brain and the endocrine system control digestive processes. The brain controls the responses of hunger and satiety. The endocrine system controls the release of hormones and enzymes required for digestion of food in the digestive tract.

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Advanced Placement (AP)

AP Biology can be a pretty challenging course. But if you’re planning on majoring in STEM in college, it can give you a head start on your degree…if you make a great score on the AP Bio exam, that is. 

Even though the AP Biology class and exam might be difficult, getting a perfect score is totally possible! We’ll walk you through how to get a 5 on the AP Bio exam, including how to maximize your classroom time, tactics for getting the most out of your study time, and even tips for boosting your test-day performance. 

Ready? Let’s dive in! 

How to Get a 5 on the AP Bio Exam: The Basics

The first thing you need to understand to learn how to get a 5 on AP Biology is just how hard it is to get a 5. The good news is that according to the 2021 score results , the AP Bio exam had a 59.2% pass rate , which puts it in the middle 50% of pass rates for AP exams. 

The bad news is that only 7.4% of students scored a 5, which is one of the lowest rates of any AP exam. Only four subjects had lower 5 rates, which makes the AP Biology test one of the hardest tests to get a perfect score on.

If you’re on a journey to a perfect AP Bio score, it all starts with understanding what’s on the test. Here’s how it all breaks down: 

Unlike other AP exams, AP Biology weighs the multiple choice section at a full 50% of your total score, plus it requires you to answer more essay questions than other STEM exams . This combination can be difficult for students because it means you not only have to spend a lot of time memorizing information, but you also have to be able to think critically, logically, and creatively. 

Getting a 5 on AP Bio begins with good classroom habits. 

How to Get a 5 on the AP Bio Exam: Making the Most of Your Class

The process of getting a five on the exam starts your very first day of class. That’s because getting a five starts with paying close attention in class and focusing on your coursework. 

The following tips let you know how to get a 5 on AP Bio using your class sessions, labs, homework, and tests to your advantage!

Tip 1: Take Detailed Notes

Since you’re taking an advanced biology class, you probably know that taking notes will be important. But in order to get a 5 on the exam, you’ll need to be a detailed note-taker . 

Detailed note-taking means doing more than just listening and writing down a few key facts that you hear. It also requires you to think critically about what you’re learning as you learn it . Since the AP Bio exam asks you to be able to analyze data in multiple forms and describe relationships between different biological concepts and processes, it’s important to start exercising your thinking muscles right from the start–in your notes . 

In order to create notes that will truly help you on the exam, try to write in complete, detailed sentences that include both the basic facts (“the nucleus of a cell has a membrane with nuclear pores”) and the explanations of those facts (“the membrane has pores so that molecules needed for cell functions like growth and protein synthesis can pass back and forth between the nucleus and the cytoplasm”).

Now, trying to get all that written down in class can be tough. That means it’s important to revisit your notes after class and add in details that you weren’t able to write down during the lecture. And since memorization is going to be a major part of getting a top score on the exam, revisiting your notes will help the information stick in your brain! 

Remember, detailed note-taking is a skill to be learned like any other—that means that practice makes perfect!  

Tip 2: Keep a Running Vocabulary List

This course covers a lot of information, and the exam will test you on all of it . For quick reference, here’s the unit breakdown for the exam: 

As you can see, all of the units are weighted relatively evenly on the exam. That means that you’ll need to remember lots of key words and concepts when test day arrives. Even if your textbook has a glossary of terms, do yourself a favor and create your own vocabulary list anyway. 

When it comes to memorization, nothing beats writing things down. That’s because when you write down the definition or explanation of something like a eukaryotic cell you’re exercising your brain in multiple ways . You’re not just passively taking in definitions by reading them, you’re also translating and re-creating the info. This helps you retain what you’re learning. 

You can keep your own vocabulary list on a computer, on flashcards, or in a notebook. Whichever method you decide, make sure it’s alphabetized for quick reference when you’re using it to study. And don’t just limit yourself to glossary-style definitions. Try to also include any additional info that might be relevant. 

For example, a glossary definition of mitochondria might just say something like “mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles that produce the chemical energy needed for the cell’s biochemical reactions.” This is important to know, but it’s also important to know how things work in context for the exam. 

You should also include details like how mitochondria (and mitochondrial DNA) are usually only inherited from the mother. Or, how if there’s a defect in the mitochondrial pathways at the cellular level in the kidneys–or other parts of the body–-then that part of the body itself will not function properly. So, over the course of your time in class, keep adding to the definitions as you learn more about how things work together.

The only silly question is the one you don't ask!

Tip 3: Ask Questions

If you’re looking to get a 5 on the AP Bio exam, you’ll need to think like a scientist. That involves asking questions, making predictions, and looking for answers. 

Here are each of the six science practices you’ll be learning. 

• Practice 1: Concept Explanation — Learn what things are, and how to describe and explain them. 
• Practice 2: Visual Representations — Learn how visual models of biological concepts and processes explain relationships between parts of a whole system, as well as how to use that understanding.
• Practice 3: Questions and Methods — Learn how to identify or pose testable questions, predict the answer to your question, and choose what methods to use to get the actual answer. This is based on the information you know from the concept explanations and visual representations.
• Practice 4: Representing and Describing Data — Learn how to identify data points and describe trends, patterns, and relationships between variables, as well as create graphs. This is how you put together the information you learn from doing an experiment to find out the answer to your question.
• Practice 5: Statistical Tests and Data Analysis — Learn how to interpret and analyze data using statistics and calculations. Using the data you collected and organized from Practice 4, check your hypothesis using these mathematical calculations. This is how you learn if your prediction was correct or not.
• Practice 6: Argumentation — You learn how to make scientific claims, support those claims with evidence, and provide reasoning to justify those claims. At this stage, you’re putting everything together and coming to a conclusion.  

Each practice builds on the ones before, with the goal of asking questions about the biological world and then finding answers . Since you’ll have to be able to do each of these things on the AP Bio exam, start getting used to going through this process regularly. 

So when you read something new, or learn about an interesting biological concept or process in class, take a few minutes to brainstorm a list of questions about how it works in conjunction with other processes. Then make some guesses about the answer. And if you want to check your answers, make some time to chat with your teacher. 

Tip 4: Make Connections as You Study

AP Biology has four Big Ideas that you’ll encounter in each unit : 

• Information Storage and Transfer
• Systems Interactions 

These ideas will help you make connections between the biological concepts and processes you learn about in each unit. They also function as a basis for questions you ask and answer using the six science practices in the course.

After each of your in-class tests, it’s a good idea to go through your notes from previous units and reorganize or rewrite them based on these Big Ideas . To make it easier, the AP Bio Course at a Glance identifies which topics in each unit fit under each Big Idea.

For example, after Unit 4 go back through and make connections between each of the biological concepts and processes you’ve learned so far that involve Information Storage and Transfer. How do the nucleic acids you learned about in Unit 1 relate to the ideas of cell communication, signal transduction, and the regulation of the cell cycle that you just covered in Unit 4, for instance?

Making connections like these in your notes for each unit and Big Idea can help you retain the information you’re learning. And even better, it can help you make solid arguments in your AP Bio essay questions!

Tip 5: Save Your Lab Notes and Visuals

Over the course of your time in AP Bio you’ll be doing lab work and creating and analyzing visuals like diagrams, graphs, and models. Since both sections of the exam will test your ability to create graphs, analyze data in charts/graphs, and describe processes and concepts that are represented visually, be sure to save all of your in-class work and homework to study with. You can use these visuals and lab write-ups to refresh your memory before both in-class tests and your final exam. 

Although there are lots of study materials available online, studying with the official AP Bio materials you get in class is often a better idea because you know it’s accurate . And if your goal is to get a 5 on AP Biology, you’ll need the best study resources you can get!

You're busy...so make your study time count.

How to Get a 5 on the AP Bio Exam: Maximizing Your Study and Review Time

It’s no secret that the AP Biology exam covers tons of information. So you’re not likely to get a 5 if you rely on cramming at the last minute. Instead, it’s a good idea to pace yourself and start studying sooner rather than later!

After each of your in-class tests, spend some time reviewing what you’ve learned so far and how everything works together. Each of the units in this course builds on the ones before , so this will help you keep the logical progressions fresh in your mind.

The following tips can help you use every minute of your study and review time to your best advantage!

Tip 1: Use All of Your Materials

As the big test day in May gets closer, and your test prep starts to get more intense, be sure to use all of the materials and resources you’ve collected over the course of the semester. So it’s a good idea to read your notes, review your textbook, talk to your teacher, and look online for supplemental sources (we’ll show you where to find some good ones at the end of the article) .  

One resource that students often overlook is the AP Classroom section of the College Board website. It features daily videos for each of the eight AP Bio units, and it provides practice questions and other study resources. You’ll even find free-response questions from previous years that you can practice with!

Tip 2: Make Biology Flashcards

Making flashcards is one of those tried and true study methods that’s helped tons of students. That’s because making your own flashcards has several benefits.

First of all, you’re re-reading your notes and textbooks and writing down the information again, both of which help you remember the material better. And since memorization of things like meiosis or the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium plays a big role in AP Bio success , it’s a good idea to do everything you can to boost your memory retention! 

Second, you’re essentially making your very own quiz based on exactly what you’ve been learning in class . Unlike some of the unofficial AP Bio quizzes you can find online, you can trust that the topics you include are actually part of the current AP curriculum. 

And finally, when you make your own flashcards, you can save some money. AP Biology flashcards are available for sale online, but why spend the cash when making them yourself is easy and more helpful in terms of learning concepts? 

 Tip 3: Take AP Bio Quizzes and Practice Tests

Even though memorization is a big deal for Bio, if you’re interested in getting a 5, you’ve got to do more than reread your notes. You also need to check your ability to remember the info in a realistic test setting and practice writing essay responses. 

That’s where taking practice tests comes in. Full-length, official practice tests released by the College Board are the best option since they’re made by the same company that administers the exam.  

You should try to take a full-length AP Biology practice test at least twice if you’re shooting for a 5. This is a pretty big time commitment, but it will pay off if you do a few things: 

• Leave plenty of study time between each practice test so you can identify and practice your mistakes. 
• After completing your first practice test, create a study plan. Be sure to study your weakest areas the most.
• Make note of anything during the test-taking process that seems to be tripping you up–like making mistakes based on misreading the question–and come up with a plan of action to address the issue. For example, if you’re struggling to write your essays in time, you may need to spend a couple minutes organizing your thoughts before you start, which can help you write faster.
• After each additional practice test you take, reevaluate your study plan as needed.

That said, if you’re still in the early units of the course, full-length practice tests may not be quite as helpful as shorter AP Bio practice tests and quizzes (like those found at Khan Academy ). These shorter quizzes are useful for in-class test preparation, but they can also help you fill in any gaps in your knowledge as you begin the countdown to the final exam.

Sometimes getting the most out of your study time involves making changes to your tactics and even study location!

Tip 4: Triangulate Your Methods

Knowing how to get a 5 on AP Bio means knowing that using one study strategy probably won’t cut it. 

Triangulation (in terms of research) means using multiple theories, sets of data, and methods to answer a question or solve a problem in order to increase the credibility and validity of that solution. As a study strategy, triangulation of your methods enhances your ability to learn and retain the info you’re studying. 

Here’s how the idea of triangulation works for your study sessions: you can use multiple methods and study spaces to maximize the results of your study time. 

First of all, doing just one type of studying again and again–like reviewing your textbook or watching videos online–will limit what you learn. Instead, incorporate multiple different methods into each of your study sessions . You could start by reading through your flashcards, then move on to a video, and end by reviewing your vocabulary list. 

Second, avoid studying in the same place all the time if possible. Ideally, try to find two or three spaces where you can study effectively and alternate between them . For example, your bedroom, the kitchen table, and the library are all good choices. If you’re having trouble staying focused after you’ve been working for a while, try moving to a new location and see if the change of scenery helps. 

Tip 5: Get Creative

Getting a 5 on the AP Biology exam requires lots of hard work. But if you start feeling burnt out by memorization, you can add some creative study methods to your rotation to keep practicing the skills you’ll need for the exam.

One thing you can do is get crafty. Since analyzing visual representations is a big part of the course, try making your own . This can be as simple as drawing your own diagrams, but the sky’s the limit here. You could paint the process of cell replication, or sculpt a 3-D cell model out of clay. Channel your inner kindergartener and have fun with it! 

You can also design your dream experiment, and create a mock lab report using all six of the scientific practices you’ll be tested over. You don’t have to actually do the experiment, just use your knowledge of biological concepts and processes and your imagination. You can pose a testable question, and figure out what methods would be best to test your hypothesis. Then, make up some results that seem likely and practice graphing the data and using your formulas . This will also give you good practice for the writing you’ll have to do on the test.

Teaching someone else can also help you learn. If you can find someone to tutor, that would be the best case scenario. If not, try making your own AP Bio quizzes online! You’ll be thinking about the information in a new way, and helping yourself remember it all in the process.

You can even organize a trivia night for friends and classmates that are also in AP Bio classes. Team up and compete to see who knows the most about Mendelian genetics and DNA structure! You’ll be going over information you need to know…and you’ll have fun in the process. 

One way to boost your performance on test day? Try to sleep like a baby the night before! 

How to Get a 5 on the AP Bio Exam: Making Good Decisions on Test Day

You’ve spent lots of time studying at this point, so you’re well on your way to AP exam success. But there are still strategies you can employ on the day of the test to improve your score . 

Below are some tips that can help you get that perfect 5 on AP Bio! 

Tip 1: Take Care of Your Own Biological Systems

You’ve studied the effects of disruptions in biological systems, so boost your shot at getting a perfect score on the test by taking care of your own body . Start by trying to get plenty of sleep the night before and eating a nutrient-rich meal the day of the exam if you can. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

You can also avoid some additional stress on test day by packing up all your supplies–like your calculator–and choosing what to wear ahead of time. Since you’ll be sitting in one place for three hours, be sure to wear something comfortable . It’s harder to stay focused on graphs and formulas if you’re wearing something scratchy!

And keep in mind the power of pep-talks! People often perform better in stressful situations when they’re confident. You’ve studied hard and learned a ton, so give yourself a pep-talk before the test. It might just give you the boost you need to do well! 

Tip 2: Watch Your Words

In the Course and Exam Description , the College Board reports that lots of students mix up similar terms, like “protein” and “proton.” This is one of the most common mistakes students make on the AP Biology exam, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix.

Because of the time pressure of the exam, you’re reading and writing quickly. That means it’s easy to think you see the word “proton” in a question, when it actually says “protein,” or to accidentally write “protein” when what you meant to say was “proton.”

To avoid losing points this way on the multiple choice section, take the time to underline or circle key words to make sure you know what the question is asking. 

In the free-response section, leave yourself enough time to go back through and proofread what you’ve written . Focus on key words here as well. If you’ve explained the role of stable subatomic particles with a positive electric charge perfectly, but you’ve written that the word for those is “proteins,” you’ll still lose points. 

You’ve spent lots of time studying for a 5. Trying to set aside a little proofreading time during the exam can help you maximize your score!

Tip 3: Use Occam’s Razor

If you want to know how to get a 5 on AP Bio, think about scientific principles like Occam’s Razor . The theory of Occam’s Razor states that when evaluating different hypotheses, experimental methods, and explanations, the simplest one is usually preferable–and the most testable. For instance, if you hear hoofbeats in the distance, it’s most likely to be a horse rather than a zebra–unless you’re out on the African savannah.

On the free-response questions, you’ll be asked to make and justify predictions about experimental results and methods. Keep your arguments focused on the facts and most likely outcomes. Don’t get bogged down in all the possible scenarios–just stick to the one that seems most likely given the information you’ve been provided. 

This same logical tool can also help if you get stumped on the multiple choice section. It’s better to guess than to leave a question blank, so use the process of elimination to your advantage . You’ll have four answer options to choose from, so eliminate the two that are least likely first. The two that are left might both be decent choices, so go with the one that provides the most direct and least complicated answer.

Even though you're taking a biology test, knowing your verb tenses can make a big difference. 

Tip 4: Pay Attention to Verbs

All of the free-response questions on the exam feature task verbs that tell you everything you need to do to answer the question. The verbs to know for AP Bio are:

• Construct/Draw
• Make a claim
• Predict/Make a prediction
• Support a claim 

When you’re under pressure, it’s incredibly easy to overlook or misread task verbs . But that can negatively affect your score since it’s important that you actually answer the question you’ve been asked. 

To keep yourself from making this mistake, take a second to underline or circle the task verbs in each question. Refer back to them when you need to in order to stay on track. And don’t forget to do each of the four tasks in your response!

Tip 5: Make an Outline

The AP Bio exam involves quite a bit of writing for a STEM-based test, so it’s a good idea to take a tip from English class and make an outline before answering your long essay free-response questions. Take about three minutes to brainstorm your answer and organize your thoughts.

An outline can keep your writing focused (it’ll also help you write more quickly). For each question part jot down a few things you want to say, as well as the examples and data you’ll use to support your points and make and justify your predictions. This also includes deciding what kind of graph you want to use for Question 2. 

Because of the time limits you may want to jump right into writing, but remember that a well-organized and thoughtful response will increase your chances of getting that coveted 5!

What’s Next?

Now that you know how to get a 5 on AP Biology, where do you start? If you’re looking for supplemental notes to study with, we’ve got you covered with the best AP Biology notes online . 

Extra books are useful for your study sessions, too. You can check out our favorite AP Bio review books for more info!

And if you’re looking for a little extra help creating a study schedule, our ultimate AP Biology review guide has your back. 

Looking for help studying for your AP exam?

Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

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