AP Biology Exam

Chapter 1 Passing the AP Biology Examination About This Book This book provides an accurate and complete representation of the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology. Our six practice tests are based on the format of the most recently administered Advanced Placement Biology Exam. Each model exam lasts three hours (including a 10-minute for reading period) and includes every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the real test. Following each of our practice tests is an answer key, complete with detailed explanations designed to clarify the material for you. Also included in this book is a targeted biology course review. We provide it as a quick and handy reference for the topics covered on the AP Biology Exam. By using the subject reviews, completing all six practice tests, and studying the explanations that follow, you will pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and, above all, put yourself in the best possible position to do well on the actual test. About the Exam The Advanced Placement Biology Examination is offered each May at participating schools and multi-school centers throughout the world. The Advanced Placement Program is designed to allow high school students to pursue college-level studies while attending high school. The participating colleges, in turn, grant credit and/or advanced placement to students who do well on the examinations. The Advanced Placement Biology Course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course, often taken by biology majors in their first year of college. The AP Biology Exam covers material in three major areas: 1. Molecules and Cells 25% 2. Heredity and Evolution 25% 3. Organisms and Populations 50% The exam is divided into two sections: 1. Multiple-Choice: Composed of 100 multiple-choice questions designed to test your ability to recall and understand various biological facts and concepts. This section of the exam is 80 minutes long, and is worth 60% of the final grade. 2. Free-Response: Consists of four mandatory questions designed to test your ability to think clearly and present ideas in a logical and coherent way. The answers must be in essay form. Outlines alone, or unlabeled and unexplained diagrams are not acceptable. Each of the four questions is weighted equally, and topics covered are as follows: Molecules and Cells one question Heredity and Evolution one question Organisms and Populations two questions Any one of these four questions may require you to analyze or interpret data or information from their laboratory experience as well as classroom lectures. This section of the exam is 90 minutes long, and counts for 40% of the final grade. A 10-minute reading period is included on the exam. You may find the AP Biology Exam considerably more difficult than many classroom exams. In order to measure the full range of your ability in biology, the AP Exams are designed to produce average scores of approximately 50% of the maximum possible score for the multiple-choice and essay sections. Therefore, you should not expect to attain a perfect or even near-perfect score. How to Use This Book What do I study first? Read over the course review and the suggestions for test-taking. Next, take the first practice test to pinpoint your area(s) of weakness, and then go back and focus your study on those specific problems. Studying the reviews thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to take the six practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual exam. To best utilize your study time, follow our Independent Study Schedule, which you will find in the front of this book. The schedule is based on a six-week program, but if necessCallihan, Laurie Ann is the author of 'AP Biology Exam ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780738602691 and ISBN 0738602698.