AP Biology Course and Exam Description (Effective Fall 2020)

Overview

The AP Biology course and exam description provides an outline of the course structure, content, and expectations for the AP Biology exam. It includes details about the course framework, sample exam questions, and instructional resources.

About College Board

• Non-profit organization promoting access to higher education.
• Offers programs like SAT and Advanced Placement (AP).
• Connects over 6 million students to college success.

AP Equity and Access Policy

• Encourages equitable access to AP for all students.
• Schools should ensure diversity in AP classes.
• Emphasizes preparation for AP success through challenging coursework.

Course Content and Structure

Course Framework

• Emphasizes inquiry-based learning and conceptual understanding.
• Organized into units that align with college-level biology courses.
• Focuses on four big ideas: Evolution, Energetics, Information Storage and Transmission, and Systems Interactions.

Units

1. Chemistry of Life (8-11% exam weighting)
   • Topics include structure of water, biological macromolecules, and nucleic acids.
2. Cell Structure and Function (10-13% exam weighting)
   • Covers cell organelles, membrane transport, and cell compartmentalization.
3. Cellular Energetics (12-16% exam weighting)
   • Focus on enzyme structure, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.
4. Cell Communication and Cell Cycle (10-15% exam weighting)
   • Topics include signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, and mitosis.
5. Heredity (8-11% exam weighting)
   • Covers Mendelian genetics, genetic diversity, and chromosomal inheritance.
6. Gene Expression and Regulation (12-16% exam weighting)
   • Includes gene expression mechanisms, mutations, and biotechnology.
7. Natural Selection (13-20% exam weighting)
   • Discusses evolutionary processes, evidence of evolution, and phylogeny.
8. Ecology (10-15% exam weighting)
   • Includes ecosystem dynamics, energy flow, and biodiversity.

Science Practices

• Explain biological concepts and processes.
• Analyze visual representations.
• Determine scientific questions and methods.
• Represent and describe data.
• Perform statistical analysis.
• Develop and justify scientific arguments.

Laboratory Requirement

• 25% of instructional time dedicated to laboratory work.
• Emphasizes inquiry-based investigations and data analysis.

Instructional Approaches

• Incorporates a variety of teaching strategies to enhance understanding of course concepts.
• Encourages the use of diverse resources and primary source materials.

Exam Information

• The exam is 3 hours long, comprising 60 multiple-choice questions and 6 free-response questions.
• Covers all units and science practices with specific weighting.

Exam Sections

• Multiple-Choice Questions: Assess understanding of all science practices.
• Free-Response Questions: Include experimental results analysis, data interpretation, and conceptual analysis.

Resources and Support

• AP Classroom provides tools and resources for teachers and students.
• Personal Progress Checks offer feedback throughout the year.
• Teachers can align instruction with the provided course framework and unit guides.

Lab and Instructional Materials

• AP Biology Investigative Labs manual recommended for guided inquiry.
• Teachers encouraged to adapt lab programs to local conditions.

These notes summarize the main components of the AP Biology course and exam description, providing a quick reference to the course structure, major topics, and exam details.