I’m taking AP Biology this year. Can someone share me your experiences? Also, do you happen to have old copies of exams? Thank you!
I can’t share any experiences with you, since I haven’t taken AP Bio yet (i will this year too). However, and you probably already know this, many people have told me that AP Biology is one of the hardest classes in high school. Oh, and not to mention the fact that only around 6% of all test-takers each year make a perfect score of 5.
As for your second question, I found some resources you could use to prepare for AP Biology:
Course and Exam Description: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-biology-course-and-exam-description.pdf
This is the main document for AP Biology, officially released by the CB. Look over this and you can find some sample multiple choice and grid-in questions. It also tells you everything you need to know and understand for AP Biology.
Quantitative Skills in the AP Sciences (starting on page 34): https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/quantitative-skills-ap-sciences.pdf?course=ap-biology
This basically goes over the math you’ll be using in the labs you’ll be doing in AP Biology.
2015 FRQs: https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap15_frq_biology.pdf
2016 FRQs: https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap16_frq_biology.pdf
2017 FRQs: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-biology-frq-2017.pdf
2018 FRQs: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap18-frq-biology.pdf
Official AP Biology Practice Exam: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-biology-practice-exam-2013.pdf?course=ap-biology
This is a modified version of the 2013 exam, but it still has the same topics and skills tested that you will have tested in 2019. Use this practice exam with albert.io next spring to prepare for the exam.
Finally, if you want to start doing some self-studying to prep for the class in the summer, I would highly recommend Khan Academy:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology
I self studied the AP Bio exam this year and got a 5. For tips, I would suggest getting the Pearson book and the cliffs notes books. They definitely have the most accurate questions(Pearson has the best and they could pass for real questions , cliffsnotes are ok). DO NOT GET PRINCETON OR BARON’s. Baron’s has way to much stuff and you will waste time studying the wrong stuff, Princeton review does not have enough. The material covered is not that much, it was virtually the same as my honors bio course from freshman year so I only had to study an hour a week while playing fortnite lol. If you have taken a challenging high school bio class you should be fine with the material. What makes the exam challenging for some people is the application of knowledge and connecting of concepts. I would suggest completing the 2013 sample test that collegeboard released about 2 weeks before. Also save the free response practice for the end since you will actually be able to answer them then. They are in the post above.
I’m really worried about this class. Sounds really hard. I’m sorry I should not have said the exam. I knew that the College Board provided the old exams. I meant the old copies of tests.
Great! I ordered the Pearson Education book a few days ago. Should I get a cliff notes too, or do you think Pearson is enough? What I’m worried is that I only took regular bio freshmen year and I’m not so good at connecting the concepts. I hope I’ll do good 
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
If the material is not on the CB website (as in the above links), then one should assume that any links violate copyright laws. Therefore they would not be allowed here.
Here is a comprehensive review of A.P. Biology.
I took the class last year, a.k.a. my freshman year, and I was able to get a 5. However, when I saw the score I couldn’t believe it, mainly because I was in the same boat as many of you guys are and didn’t think I was good enough. As an incoming freshman with A.P. biology as my only AP class, I was extremely nervous. HOWEVER, I have a few tips for you guys.
- If you don't do well in the class at first, that's OK. I got C's on my first three tests and finished the class both semesters with an A. It's really about getting used to the book, and finding out what to identify is important.
- Get a study book in August. Use this book along with lectures as they summarize important details. Whatever book one gets, (I got Barron's and Princeton Review) it doesn't matter. I personally used the Barrons book more because I liked the formatting better, but its preference at the end of the day because all the material is in both books. (I had both)
- When in class, ASK QUESTIONS. You won't believe how much it helps.
- When time comes around for AP Exams, start to study about 1.5 months prior, give or take. What I did was I read through Barrons once, and read the sections I forgot about in Barrons and Princeton for reinforcement of material. Take practice tests frequently, and really focus on test taking strategies and pacing more than anything else, for the knowledge will naturally come as you study.
@Max147 I personally didn’t see anyone in my class use the Pearson, but one of my best friends was using the Cliff Notes Book. I found it to be the same, but really whatever study book one uses doesn’t matter, as long as they learn the information vital to the test. Congrats on the 5 BTW!
At the end of the day as long as someone wants that top 7% they will achieve it. Hope this helps you guys that are worrying.
ONE MORE THING: Don’t just memorize everything, know how to apply it. That’s really what the test is about.
Thank you so much! How can I study how to apply? I’m not really good at it.
All teachers are given “practice” tests that the college board releases for educators every year. Ask your teacher about them. Some teachers do not allow the tests to exit their classroom, so maybe you can come up with some sort of agreement like working on them once a week after school. Just a thought. That is what mainly helped me get a 5. Personally I thought they were a bit easier than the actual exam, so make sure to prepare well. Knowing labs is also key!! Many questions ask you about them, and if you already know it you can quickly answer and move on.
@Bolt0612 It’s hard to explain. I’ll give you an example.
Say there is water in a container with a membrane across the middle, with two different amounts of the same salt on either side. Water will want to cross the membrane from the side with more salt to the side with less salt.
Knowing this knowledge, how will the ability of water to cross membranes in such a manner affect cells?
(You don’t need to know the answer, you will learn about this, just an example)
@Bolt0612 With biology, it isn’t very difficult to apply knowledge, however it is hard for people who just memorize a definition of a certain cell part and don’t know what it does and how it truly affects the cell.
@abcdefghijk101 Is that test different from exams that are posted on College Board?
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-biology/exam-practice
Are you talking about the practice AP exam or individual tests that are given throughout the year?
@TheScholasticKid Sounds difficult… I hope I do well… I’m really worried…
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
No teacher should allow the test to leave the classroom for the copyright reasons I mentioned before. The CB states:
and
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-course-audit/explore-by-role/teachers
Yes
Practice exams.
@Bolt0612 Have you taken any honors or regular biology before?
I took regular biology freshmen year. That’s one of the reasons I’m worried.
As long as you did well in regular bio, you should not be worried. I don’t see a huge advantage in having had honors bio vs. regular bio. My eyes tend to roll, however, when the student attempts AP Bio as a first bio class.
I did okay in the regular bio. I think it’s impressive to take AP Bio as their first bio class, but in my school, they only allow students who took bio class first. I really hope I’ll do great.
My teacher taught both honors and AP Biology. There wasn’t a huge difference in the content learned, just AP went deeper. I feel you will do ok because regular bio should’ve taught you the basics.