What you need to know about the AP Biology Exam

Reasons for taking the AP Bio Exam For personal satisfaction To compare yourself with other students across the nation Because colleges look favorably on the applications of students who elected to enroll in AP courses and take AP exams.

Reasons for taking the AP Bio Exam To receive college credit or advanced standing at their colleges or universities Because you love the subject So that your family is proud of you!

AP Exam Grades A 5 indicates that you are extremely well qualified. A 4 indicates that you are well qualified. A 3 indicates that you are adequately qualified. A 2 indicates that you are possibly qualified. A 1 indicates that you are not qualified to receive college credit.

Organization of the AP Bio Exam The exam has two parts. Scheduled for 3 hours One break

Section One: 100 multiple-choice Qs 80 minutes Types of Qs: Factual (recall) Reverse M/C Conceptual/Thematic (synthesize info) Matching Lab-based

Section Two: Free-response Section (Essay) 4 Qs 10 minute reading period Green sheet Outline 90 minute writing period

Section Two: On average: One essay = molecules and cells One essay = heredity and evolution Two essays = organisms and populations At least one essay will ask you to analyze experimental data and possibly even design and experiment of your own.

Scoring: Section One Scantron Sheet run through computer and counts the NUMBER OF WRONG ANSWERS AND SUBTRACTS A FRACTION OF THAT NUMBER FROM THE NUMBER OF CORRECT ANSWERS. 5 answer choices, ¼ is the fraction used. Blank = 0

Scoring: Section One The formula for scoring this section looks like this (N = the number of answers): N right – (N wrong x 0.25) = raw score Raw score = rounded up or down to the nearest whole number

Scoring: Section Two Trained AP readers score them Readers become experts on ONE question Table leaders, content experts, and question leaders Scoring guide Each essay is read by multiple readers to make sure scoring is valid

Scoring: Section Two Score = 1-10 each ANSWER EACH PART OF THE QUESTION!!!!! You dont have to answer the questions in order. You dont get marked down for having wrong information, you are only graded on the correct information you write!!!!!!!

Composite Score Calculation Composite score = 150 pts Free-response = 40% (60 pts) Multiple-choice = 60% (90 pts)

Composite Score Calculation Multiple-choice results go into the following formula: N correct -1/4 N incorrect x = your score for the multiple-choice portion

Composite Score Calculation Free-response results go into the this formula: (Pts earned Q1)(1.50) = Q1 score (Pts earned Q2)(1.50) = Q2 score (Pts earned Q3)(1.50) = Q3 score (Pts earned Q4)(1.50) = Q4 score Total weighted score = sum of Q1-Q4

Composite Score Calculation Total composite score = Multiple choice score + Free-response score Rounded to the nearest whole number

Cut-offs Determined by a committee of AP, College Board, and Educational Testing Service (ETS) directors, experts, and statisticians. The same exam you get is also given to college students. Provides data to make cut-off 5 is the avg score received by college students who score and A on the exam! 3 or 4 is equivalent to a B

Cut-offs Over the years there is a trend: 5 = mid 80s – = mid 60s – mid 80s 3 = high 40s – mid 60s 2 = high 20s/low 30s – high 40s 1 = 0 – high 20s

Scores released… early July

What to bring to exam: Several pencils Eraser Black ink pens Watch Water Quiet snack (ex: lifesavers, lol) Tissues

What NOT to bring: Colored ink pens Loud snack Bad attitude

Other tips: Wear comfortable clothes. Eat breakfast or lunch. Enjoy the challenge…dont stress.

Multiple-choice Tips: Dont outthink the test! Dont be afraid to leave questions blank! Be on the lookout for trick wording! Use your time carefully! Be careful about changing answers!

Free-response Tips: Be aware of ALL parts of multipart Qs! Budget your time wisely! 22.5 mins per essay Spread the wealth! Use paragraphs for each part Make a quick outline! You are NOT graded on grammar/organization Two wrongs can still make a right! If you think it might be right, give it a shot!