Best Strategies for Effective AP Biology Exam Prep 

Exams approaching? Well, hello again, extra anxiety and sleepless nights. We all know that this is a pretty stressful period. No matter what exam you are taking, you still need to put much effort into showing your best performance. If you know what we’re talking about, our complete guide is right for you. Today, we are going to talk about the AP Biology exam, but you may apply most of our advice to other AP exams as well. 

This blog will show you how to use your time before an exam most effectively. What is the AP Biology test? How do you manage your stress? What should you pay attention to? Read on to learn this and much more. 

AP Biology Exam: General Overview

Let’s start by understanding what we’re dealing with. Only then can we choose the right approach. The AP Biology exam is a test for American high school students, scheduled once a year at the end of the spring semester, in May. If you want to study Natural Sciences in college, this exam might be a must for you. 

It consists of two sections, and each contributes 50% to your grade: 

• Section I: Multiple-choice questions – 60 questions;
• Section II: Free-response questions – 6 questions (2 long questions and 4 short questions).

The whole exam lasts 3 hours, with an hour and a half for each section. You will have a 10-minute break between these two parts. 

What about the exam score? Like other AP exams, Biology also has a 5-grade scale. Thus, the best score is 5, which is the equivalent of A+ or A, while the lowest grade is 1 point. 

11 Best Strategies for Effective AP Biology Exam Prep

Source: Freepik

Now that you have a general overview of the AP Biology exam, we can move to the effective prep strategies. 

#1 Learn Everything About the Exam 

The first thing you should do is find out all the necessary info about the AP Biology exam. This way, you will know what to expect without feeling lost. So, what are the things you have to pay attention to?

• Find the exam location. In case your local school does not offer AP courses and exams (or not an exam you need), you have to find an alternative in advance. You can check your options on the AP Course Ledger page and contact the nearest local school that offers your test. You can also communicate with your AP coordinator to get some help. Note: If you are a homeschooled student, you can still take your standardized tests (whether it’s the PSAT or the AP test). Simply follow the advice above to find the nearest local school that offers your AP exam. 
• Open a College Board account. Why do you need a College Board account? Here, you can register for your exams, get important updates, check your test results (and send them to colleges), explore AP resources (including full-length practice tests in the Bluebook testing app), etc.  
• Discover what you need. Check the list of things you can and can’t bring with you on exam day. If you take your test in digital format, you will need to have your device with you and ensure it corresponds to the AP exam standards. 
• Investigate the topics covered on the exam. Make sure you know what’s on the test by getting a complete list of topics. You can find this in official College Board PDFs (they’re lengthy, but they have all the information you might need) or by googling it. Another option is to ask your AP coordinator or check out our blogs where we summarize everything you need to know.
• Check out the examples. This is one of the best things you can do – find the previous year’s test examples. You will likely practice them in the AP class, but you may also search for the additional ones by yourself. 
• Examine skills. In addition to practical examples, check what skills this test examines (it can be anything from writing skills to argumentation). Thus, you’ll identify your strengths and weaknesses. 

#2 Craft a Studying Plan

Next, you should prepare a study plan for managing your time effectively. How can you achieve that? Begin by answering the following questions:

• Are you going to attend an AP class or study by yourself?
• How good are you at biology?
• What topics are the most difficult and the easiest for you?
• How much time do you have before the exam?
• What is your performance on both multiple-choice questions and free-response questions? Is it any different? If so, why?
• How often and for how long can you study for the exam?
• Do you need extra help from your teacher, tutor, or someone else?
• Do you have all the appropriate study materials (books, notes, practice tests, etc.)?

Why is it essential to know all these answers? Basically, they define how you structure your training plan. For example, if you take a Biology course at school, you will cover most of the things you should know with a teacher. 

However, if you are studying by yourself, no worries – you can do it all! Just make sure you find proper books for test prep, guides, test examples, etc. Then, create a ‘studying strategy’ to define what and when you need to learn. With a step-by-step plan, you can save your time, which is the most valuable resource before any exam.

#3 Learn & Memorize Special Vocabulary for the AP Biology Course

Source: Freepik

It’s not a secret that Biology has a lot of difficult terms, definitions, and Latin names. Test questions will definitely include those. So, you need to know and be able to explain all biological concepts. It can be a pretty tough task. But to simplify the process, you can create your own vocabulary with biological terms like you do while preparing for the SAT. How to approach it? The most common option is to write down all the crucial terms from each topic you’ve listed earlier. 

For instance, let’s take population genetics. The most common terms you might face are:

• population, 
• allele frequency, 
• Mendelian inheritance, 
• gene flow, 
• mutations, 
• genetic variation, 
• Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, 
• natural selection. 

Write down unfamiliar terms in your vocabulary and memorize them. Remember that a definition without an example is nothing. Thus, you need to add at least one example to each term to memorize them better. 

#4 Use Flashcards

The next trick you should try is visual representation. Using flashcards is one of the most popular options for a reason. You can print or create them on your own. Place charts, diagrams, schematics, formulas, cycles, and everything you need to know and memorize on those cards. How does it work in practice? 

You take those flashcards with you everywhere you go. Then, when you have a spare moment, review them. That can be several times a day, between lessons or other daily activities. You can skim through them while you’re standing in line or commuting to school on public transport. Memorizing through visual representations could be pretty effective, especially if you are a visual learner. The main secret, though, is consistency. 

#5 Find Appropriate Learning Materials

Finding appropriate study guides is an essential step. They should be up-to-date and contain theory and practical examples. Where do you find them? The first option is to get recommendations from your AP teacher or coordinator. But you can also find them by googling or checking forums. If you prefer the second option, consider the following characteristics:

• Year of edition – the fresher, the better.
• Practice block – the theory is nothing without practice.
• Reviews – users’ experiences and opinions can be very helpful.

Source: Amazon

Here are a few popular choices for AP Biology exam prep books you might want to look into:

1. AP Biology Premium, 2024: Comprehensive Review With 5 Practice Tests + an Online Timed Test Option (Barron’s AP Prep) Premium Edition by Mary Wuerth M.S.
2. Princeton Review AP Biology Premium Prep, 26th Edition: 6 Practice Tests + Complete Content Review + Strategies & Techniques (2024) (College Test Preparation) Premium Edition by The Princeton Review.
3. CliffsNotes AP Biology: 5th Edition, Revised by Phillip E. Pack Ph.D.
4. 5 Steps to a 5: AP Biology 2024 1st Edition by Mark Anestis, Kelcey Burris.

Of course, you can choose other books, authors, and editions. Just remember that they must be up-to-date.

#6 Attend AP Classes 

You can take the AP Biology exam without attending the AP Biology course. Still, the College Board recommends you take a corresponding AP course, which is available in any school with AP accreditation. One lesson lasts 45 minutes and is scheduled five days a week during the entire academic year.  

Now, let’s take a look at the main topics covered in the AP Biology course. Overall, the course has two main components:

1. Science Practices: These are 6 practice blocks that help you develop a set of skills you can later use on your AP Biology exam:

• Concept Explanation;
• Visual Representations;
• Questions and Methods;
• Representing and Describing Data;
• Statistical Tests and Data Analysis;
• Argumentation.

2. Course Content: This is all the theoretical content organized into 8 units:

Source: College Board

Overall, all units and practices cover four big ideas that serve as the foundation of the course:

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

#7 Study With a Tutor

Source: Freepik

If, for some reason, you can not take the AP Biology course, you can study with a tutor. Compared to classic AP classes, studying with a tutor is advantageous due to the following:

• A personalized study plan;
• An individual approach that considers your level of knowledge and learning style;
• Additional educational materials.

Many students choose to work with a tutor even when taking the AP Biology course because of the tailored approach. You can try if it works for you by simply taking a couple of trial sessions with different tutors.

#8 Remember to Practice Questions

The theory is nothing without practice. You might know all the rules and be able to explain biological concepts but have no idea how to use that knowledge in real life. That’s why it is crucial to take as many practice tests as you can.

To make the most of this process, make sure that you analyze each practice test. How can you do that? Check all your mistakes and write down the right answers to those questions. If you felt lost in your free-response section, find the corresponding information and write it down as well. 

In this case, writing everything down is crucial because it will help you memorize everything. If you do this after each practice test and review your notes later on, you will be so much more prepared for your AP Biology exam, or any exam, really.  

#9 Learn to Manage Your Stress

We all know that exams can make us feel anxious. Thus, pay more attention to your physical and mental health during this period. Try to change the types of activities from time to time. For example, doing sports regularly or even going for a walk can reduce stress levels, while reading a book you enjoy can allow you to detach yourself from reality and relax. 

In addition, you may try meditating and doing breathing exercises. Besides, do not neglect sleep. It should be regular and last for at least 8-9 hours. Lastly, remember to take short breaks while studying: sit peacefully, move, or do breathing exercises. 

#10 Get Ready for the Test Day

Before the test day, get some good sleep and rest. Do not forget to set an alarm clock, and prepare everything you need in advance. Also, double-check the test location and calculate how much time you need to get there. But make sure you leave home early.

#11 Don’t Rush

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Time passes too slowly when you are waiting for something. Still, exams are exceptions, and three hours could turn into one moment. So, you never have enough time for the test, which is okay because you are not alone. 

Don’t panic and stop rushing. Read the questions carefully, make sure you understand them, and only then answer. Still, if you’re unsure about the correct answer, skip that question and move on to the next one. You can return to those unanswered questions after you finish everything else. 

Conclusion

We have good news for you. Now, you know how to prepare for the AP Biology exam effectively. Still, remember that you may use your own hacks and tips if they suit you better. Before the exam, try to use your time productively and adequately to show the best performance. Good luck!