AP Biology · Exam guide
AP Biology Multiple-Choice Guide: 60 Questions in 90 Minutes
The multiple-choice section is half of the AP Biology score. It has 60 questions in 90 minutes, which is a minute and a half each, and many questions are built on a short passage, a diagram, a graph, or a data table. This guide shows the question types and a routine that fits the time.
The format
- 60 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, and 6 free-response questions in 90 minutes. Each section is half of the exam score.
- Questions come in short sets that share a stimulus, and also as stand-alone questions.
- There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question.
The question types
| Type | What to do |
|---|---|
| Recall with a twist | Pick the statement that is true in the situation described, not the one that is true in general. |
| Interpret a graph or table | Say in words what the data show before you look at the options. |
| Predict | Identify the variable that changes, then follow it one step at a time. |
| Experimental design | Look for the control, the independent variable, and what is being measured. |
| Calculation | Chi-square, Hardy-Weinberg, rates, and percent change. Write the formula, then substitute. |
A routine for every set
- Read the stimulus once and say its main point in a sentence.
- Read each question and cover the options. Try to answer before you look.
- Cross out options that contradict the stimulus or the question.
- Mark a question if it takes more than two minutes, guess, and move on.
A worked example
A student places potato cores in sucrose solutions of different concentrations and measures mass change after an hour. The cores in 0.2 M sucrose gained mass, and those in 0.6 M sucrose lost mass. Which is the best estimate of the solute concentration inside the potato cells?
| Option | Verdict and reason |
|---|---|
| A. Below 0.2 M | Wrong. Cores gained mass in 0.2 M, so water moved in, which means the cells are above 0.2 M, not below it. |
| B. Between 0.2 M and 0.6 M | Correct. Gain at 0.2 M and loss at 0.6 M means the point of no net change lies between them. |
| C. Above 0.6 M | Wrong. The cores lost mass at 0.6 M, so the cells are more dilute than that. |
| D. Exactly 0.4 M | Wrong. The data bracket the value but do not pin it down to a single number. |
Common mistakes
- Choosing an option that is true in general but does not answer the question asked.
- Reading a graph's axes too fast and mixing up the independent and dependent variables.
- Ignoring a word such as "most" or "only."
- Spending too long on a calculation that the question only needs you to estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a penalty for guessing?
No. Answer every question.
How much of the score is multiple choice?
Half. The six free-response questions are the other half.
Are there calculations on the multiple-choice section?
Yes, some. A calculator is allowed, and an equation sheet is provided.
How should I study for it?
Practice describing a graph in a sentence, and explaining why each wrong option is wrong.
Where can I find the official format?
Exam formats change a little from year to year, so check the current course and exam description on the College Board site before test day.
Keep practicing
Every unit in the AP Biology course ends with a quiz of multiple-choice and short free-response questions, with a writing space that scores against the four-point rubric and a model response to compare against. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:
See the AP Biology course Free lessons and lesson list
More AP Biology guides (8)
Start here
Free-response and writing
- AP Biology Long Free-Response Question Explained: Interpreting and Evaluating Experimental Results
- AP Biology Graphing Question Explained: How to Construct a Graph and Interpret the Data
- AP Biology Short Free-Response Questions Explained: The Four Types and the 4-Point Rubric
- AP Biology Statistics and Data Analysis: Chi-Square, Error Bars, and Conclusions
- AP Biology Hardy-Weinberg Problems: Allele Frequencies Step by Step
- AP Biology Experimental Design: Variables, Controls, and Predictions
- AP Biology Math Skills: Rates, Percent Change, Surface Area to Volume, and Water Potential
AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. This guide is our own explanation of the question types and scoring. For the official scoring guidelines, see the College Board.