College Board
AP Biology
Advanced Placement Biology Exam
The end-of-course exam for the College Board's AP Biology course. A score of 3 or higher commonly earns college credit or placement, saving tuition and accelerating STEM degree paths.
Full program: 8 decks, 655 cards.
What's on the exam
AP Biology Course and Exam Description (College Board)
Chemistry of Life
8–11%Properties of water · Biological macromolecules · Carbohydrates and lipids · Proteins and nucleic acids · Elements of life
Cell Structure and Function
10–13%Organelles and subcellular structures · Cell size and surface area · Plasma membrane structure · Membrane transport · Tonicity and osmoregulation · Compartmentalization
Cellular Energetics
12–16%Enzyme structure and catalysis · Environmental effects on enzymes · Photosynthesis · Cellular respiration · Fitness and energy capture
Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
10–15%Cell signaling pathways · Signal transduction · Feedback mechanisms · The cell cycle · Mitosis and cell cycle regulation
Heredity
8–11%Meiosis and genetic diversity · Mendelian genetics · Non-Mendelian inheritance · Chromosomal inheritance · Environmental effects on phenotype
Gene Expression and Regulation
12–16%DNA and RNA structure · Replication · Transcription and translation · Regulation of gene expression · Mutations · Biotechnology
Natural Selection
13–20%Natural and artificial selection · Population genetics and Hardy-Weinberg · Evidence of evolution · Phylogeny · Speciation and extinction · Origins of life
Ecology
10–15%Responses to the environment · Energy flow through ecosystems · Population ecology · Community ecology · Biodiversity · Disruptions to ecosystems
Frequently asked questions
How much does the AP Biology cost?
The AP Biology costs $99. US price per exam; higher internationally; schools may add fees and fee reductions are available.
How long is the AP Biology and how many questions does it have?
60 multiple-choice questions and 6 free-response questions — 3 hours.
What do you need to pass the AP Biology?
Scored 1–5; most colleges grant credit for 3, 4, or 5 (policies vary).
Can you retake the AP Biology?
Once per year, at the May administration.
What is the best way to study for the AP Biology?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Chemistry of Life 8–11%, Cell Structure and Function 10–13%, Cellular Energetics 12–16%, Cell Communication and Cell Cycle 10–15%, Heredity 8–11%, Gene Expression and Regulation 12–16%, Natural Selection 13–20%, Ecology 10–15%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our AP Biology program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.