There are two types of multiple-choice questions on the AP Biology Exam: discrete questions and question sets. The discrete questions are the typical stand-alone test questions in which four choices, A–D, are given, and you select the best answer. Question sets include two or more questions connected to a shared stimulus—such as a graph, experimental results, a diagram, or a data table.

Pace Yourself

You are allowed to use a graphing calculator and the official AP Biology Equations and Formulas Sheet for the entire exam. While many questions rely on your understanding of biological concepts, some require interpreting data and performing calculations.

For even pacing and maximizing your score, try this strategy: Examine each question for a maximum of 40 seconds (on average—some will be quicker, giving you more time for complex question sets). Quickly determine what the question is testing. Some questions will require data analysis or mathematical reasoning; use your calculator when needed, but don’t forget that rounding and estimation can often speed things up.

By the end of each 40-second window, either:

• (a) Mark the correct answer from the four choices.

• (b) Mark a “Y” next to questions you understand but need more time to solve.

• (c) Mark an “N” next to questions that completely stump you.

Move through 15 questions every 10 minutes to complete the 60 questions in 40 minutes.

Then, make a second pass focusing only on the “Y” questions. Don’t waste time on the “N” questions yet. If you don’t immediately see the answer, use logic or eliminate obviously incorrect options. Try to finish this pass in 40 minutes.

Now for your third pass: focus only on the “N” questions. Your goal is to eliminate at least two choices and make an informed guess. These are bonus points if you get them right—this final pass should take 10 minutes.

You should try to answer every question—there is no penalty for guessing, so make sure nothing is left blank!

Calculate Accurately

Since you can use a graphing calculator, expect some questions—especially in experimental and data-heavy sections—to require accurate arithmetic and knowledge of basic biological formulas. Be sure you’re comfortable using your calculator for tasks like calculating mean, rate, standard deviation, or performing log transformations. Familiarity with your calculator’s functions will help you solve these quickly and correctly.

The following strategies for answering the free-response questions will help you on exam day.

• Before beginning to solve the free-response questions, it is a good idea to read through all the questions to determine which ones you feel most prepared to answer. You can then proceed to solve the questions in a sequence that will allow you to perform your best.

• Monitor your time appropriately on the free-response section. You want to ensure that you do not spend too much time on one question that you do not have enough time to at least attempt to answer all of them.

• Show all the steps you took to reach your solution on questions involving calculations. If you do work that you think is incorrect, simply put an "X" through it, instead of spending time erasing it completely.

• Many free-response questions are divided into parts such as a, b, c, and d, with each part calling for a different response. Credit for each part is awarded independently, so you should attempt to solve each part. For example, you may receive no credit for your answer to part a, but still receive full credit for part b, c, or d. If the answer to a later part of a question depends on the answer to an earlier part, you may still be able to receive full credit for the later part, even if that earlier answer is wrong.

• Organize your answers as clearly and neatly as possible. You might want to label your answers according to the sub-part, such as (a), (b), (c), etc. This will assist you in organizing your thoughts, as well as helping to ensure that you answer all the parts of the free-response question.

• You should include the proper units for each number where appropriate. If you keep track of units as you perform your calculations, it can help ensure that you express answers in terms of the proper units. Depending on the exam question, it is often possible to lose points if the units are wrong or are missing from the answer.

• You should not use the "scattershot" or “laundry list” approach: i.e., write as many equations or lists of terms as you can, hoping that the correct one will be among them so that you can get partial credit. For exams that ask for TWO or THREE examples or equations, only the first two or three examples will be scored.

• Be sure to clearly and correctly label all graphs and diagrams accordingly. Read the question carefully, as this could include a graph title, x and y axes labels including units, a best fit line, etc.

Task Verbs

Pay close attention to the task verbs used in the free-response questions. Each one directs you to complete a specific type of response. Here are the task verbs you’ll see on the exam:

• Calculate: Perform mathematical steps to arrive at a final answer, including algebraic expressions, properly substituted numbers, and correct labeling of units and significant figures.

• Construct/Draw: Create a diagram, graph, representation, or model that illustrates or explains relationships or phenomena. Labels may or may not be required.

• Describe: Provide relevant characteristics of a specified topic.

• Determine: Decide or conclude after reasoning, observation, or applying mathematical routines (calculations).

• Evaluate: Judge or determine the significance or importance of information, or the quality or accuracy of a claim.

• Explain: Provide information about how or why a relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome occurs, using evidence and/or reasoning to support or qualfiy a claim. Explain “how” typically requires analyzing the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome; whereas, explain “why” typically requires analysis of motivations or reasons for the relationship, process, pattern, position, situation, or outcome.

• Identify: Indicate or provide information about a specified topic, without elaboration or explanation.

• Justify: Provide evidence to support, qualify, or defend a claim, and/or provide reasoning to explain how that evidence supports or qualifies the claim.

• Make a claim: Make an assertion that is based on evidence or knowledge.

• Predict/Make a prediction: Predict the causes or effects of a change in, or disruption to, one or more components in a relationship, pattern, process, or system.

• Represent: Use appropriate graphs, symbols, words, illustrations, and/or tables of numerical values to describe biological concepts, characteristics, and/or relationships

• State (the null/alternative hypothesis): Indicate or provide a hypothesis to support or defend a claim about a scientifically testable question.

• Support a claim: Provide reasoning to explain how evidence supports or qualifies a claim.

There are two types of multiple-choice questions on the AP Chemistry Exam, discrete questions and question sets. The discrete questions are the typical stand-alone test questions in which four choices, A–D, are given from which the correct answer is to be selected. Question sets will have two or more test questions, each with four choices, A–D, based on a graph, an experiment, a set of data, or some other stimulus given at the beginning of the set.

Pace Yourself

Remember that you will have access to a calculator, the AP Periodic Table of the Elements, and the AP Chemistry equations and constants sheet for the entire exam.

For even pacing and maximizing your score, try the following strategy:

1. Examine each question for a maximum of 40 seconds (on average, some will take less time allowing more time for others, like question sets). Quickly determine the subject of the question. Remember that there will be some math-based questions; you may use your calculator to solve them, but some questions may be solved more quickly through basic rounding, estimations, and approximations.

2. By the end of the 40 seconds either: (a) Mark the correct answer from one of the 4 answer choices. (b) Mark a “Y” next to the questions that you know how to work but need more time. (c) Mark an “N” next to the questions that you don’t have any idea how to work.

3. Force yourself to move through 15 questions each 10 minutes and the full 60 questions in 40 minutes.

4. Now make a second pass concentrating on the “Y” questions only. Do not spend any time on the “N” questions. If you don’t know the correct answer, see if some key piece of knowledge will allow you to eliminate 2 or 3 of the choices. Complete this pass in 40 minutes.

5. Now make your third pass. Focus only on the “N” questions. Attempt to eliminate at least 2 choices. Make an intelligent guess. Any correct “guesses” on this pass are bonus points. You have only 10 minutes, so make it count!

6. You should try to answer all questions. Remember that there is no penalty for guessing.

Calculate Accurately

Since a calculator is allowed on the exam, arithmetic may not involve round numbers on MCQs, and accurate answers are expected on FRQs. Be familiar with the functions on your scientific calculator in order to select the appropriate calculator buttons. For example, some calculations might involve the entry of numbers in exponential notation, the conversion into or from common and natural logs, and perhaps percent.