AP Biology · Exam guide
AP Biology Short Free-Response Questions Explained: The Four Types and the 4-Point Rubric
After the two long questions, the AP Biology exam has four short free-response questions, worth 4 points each. They share one rubric with four one-point parts, and each question is a different type. The examples below are original.
The four types
| Type | What you do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific investigation | Plan or analyze a simple test: identify a variable, state a hypothesis, or describe a control. | Describe a control for a test of whether salt affects seed germination. |
| Conceptual analysis | Apply a concept to a scenario and explain a consequence. | Explain how a mutation that makes a membrane protein nonfunctional could affect a cell. |
| Model or visual representation | Read a diagram or model, then describe and explain what it shows. | Describe what the arrow in a diagram of a feedback loop represents. |
| Data analysis | Work with numbers in a table or graph: calculate, describe a trend, predict, and justify. | Calculate a rate of change from a table and predict the next value. |
The four parts of the rubric
| Part | Verb | What earns the point |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Describe or identify | A specific feature, not just a term. |
| (b) | Explain or describe the relationship | How or why, using accurate biology and the scenario. |
| (c) | Predict or represent | A specific prediction, or a calculation, graph or model in the form asked for. |
| (d) | Justify | Evidence or a principle that supports the claim. |
| Total | 4 |
A worked example: scientific investigation
A student wants to test whether salt concentration affects the germination of radish seeds. Seeds are placed in dishes with water containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 percent salt.
It does not say which dish is the control or why it is one.
It names the control and explains why it is one.
It is a specific prediction with a direction.
It justifies the prediction with a biological principle.
Habits for all four types
- Answer in the order the parts are asked, and label them (a), (b), (c) and (d).
- Use the organism, cell or data in the question, not a general fact.
- Give a direction for every prediction: increase, decrease or no change.
- Write one or two sentences per part. Extra writing does not add points.
Common mistakes
- Restating the question as the answer.
- Describing the result without saying why it happened.
- Predicting "it will change" without a direction.
- Giving a correct fact that does not address the scenario.
Frequently asked questions
How many short questions are on AP Biology?
Four, each worth 4 points, after two long questions worth 9 points each.
Are the four short questions always in the same order?
The types are the same each year: scientific investigation, conceptual analysis, model or visual representation, and data analysis.
Can I earn the later parts if I miss an earlier part?
Yes. Each part is scored on its own, so attempt every part.
How long should each short answer take?
About 6 to 8 minutes each, which leaves time for the long questions.
Where can I find the official scoring rules?
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 15 multiple-choice questions and 5 short free-response questions, with a writing space that scores against the four-point rubric and a model 4 out of 4 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
Other free-response guides:
- AP Biology FRQ Guide: The Six Free-Response Questions and the 4-Point Rubric
- 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 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.