Exam Overview and Advice

Overview The AP Exam consists of two sections: Multiple choice (63) Free Response Both sections include questions that assess students’ understanding of the big ideas, enduring understandings, and essential knowledge and the ways in which this understanding can be applied through the science practices. These may include questions on the following: the use of modeling to explain biological principles the use of mathematical processes to explain concepts the making of predictions and the justification of phenomena the implementation of experimental design the manipulation and interpretation of data. The exam is 3 hours long and includes both a 90-minute multiple- choice section and a 90-minute free-response section that begins with a mandatory 10-minute reading period. The multiple-choice section accounts for half of the student’s exam grade, and the free-response section accounts for the other half.

Overview cont. Section I, Part A, consists of 63 multiple-choice questions that represent the knowledge and science practices outlined in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework that students should understand and be able to apply. Part B includes 6 grid-in questions that require the integration of science and mathematical skills. For the grid-in responses, students will need to calculate the correct answer for each question and enter it in a grid in the grid-in section on their answer sheet

Overview cont. In Section II, students should use the mandatory reading period (10 minutes) to read and review the questions and begin planning their responses. This section contains two types of free-response questions (short and long), and you will have a total of 80 minutes to complete all of the questions.

Tips Due to the increased emphasis on quantitative skills and application of mathematical methods in the questions on both sections, students will be allowed to use simple four-function calculators (with square root) on the entire exam. Students will also be supplied with a formula list as part of their testing materials. Beginning with the May 2013 administration of the AP Biology Exam, multiple-choice questions will contain four answer options, rather than five. This change will save students valuable time without altering the rigor of the exam in any way. Student’s total score on the multiple-choice section is based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered questions (SO GUESS!!!). Each sample multiple-choice and free-response question is followed by a box that shows the question’s alignment with the essential knowledge statements (so you should know these to help you answer the questions – it makes guessing the correct multiple choice answer easier) When answering your essay questions, please be sure to ANSWER EACH PART OF THE QUESTION! Helpful website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-biology

Practice Essay Question Matter continuously cycles through an ecosystem. A simplified carbon cycle is depicted on the left. A. Identify the key metabolic process for step I and the key metabolic process for step II, and briefly explain how each process promotes movement of carbon through the cycle. For each process, your explanation should focus on the role of energy in the movement of carbon. B. Identify an organism that carries out both processes.

Answer: Process Carbon Input Role of energy in the movement of Carbon Carbon Output Photosyn CO2 is fixed Uses (light) energy OR ATP from light reactions Organic molecules (Cellular) Resp. Organic molecules are hydrolyzed/broken down Uses energy for cellular processes such as growth and/or ATP production CO2 A. Identify the key metabolic process for step I and the key metabolic process for step II and briefly explain how each process promotes movement of carbon through the cycle. For each process, your explanation should focus on the role of energy in the movement of carbon. Identification : 1 point maximum I = photosynthesis / Calvin cycle AND II = (cellular) respiration / citric acid cycle / Krebs cycle Explanation: 1 point each row; 2 points maximum – See chart B. Identify an organism that carries out both processes. (1 point maximum) •Plant •Algae •Photosynthetic protist (e.g., Euglena) •Cyanobacterium •CO2 fixing bacterium •Lichen (not fungus)