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AP Biology is a college-level course offered by the College Board to high school students who are interested in studying biology at an advanced level.
It was opted by 242,000 students in 2023 as it is one of the preferred AP courses. The pass rate of the 2023 AP Biology exam was 64% and 14% of students scored a 5.
AP Biology is known for its challenging curriculum and rigorous exams. It deals with topics such as cellular structure and function, genetics, evolution, ecology, and the diversity of life.
Scoring well in AP Biology requires understanding intricate biological processes rather than rote learning. If you feel uncertain about core topics, a biology tutor can reinforce fundamental concepts before transitioning to intensive AP Biology.
Course Contents
The framework specifies what students must know, be able to do, and understand, with a focus on the big ideas that encompass core principles, theories, and processes of the discipline. The framework also encourages instruction that prepares students for advanced work in STEM majors.
The AP Biology framework is organized into eight commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.
| Unit | Details | Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Chemistry of Life | You’ll learn about water’s role as the basis of life and the functions of macromolecules like lipids and proteins. | 8%–11% |
| Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function | You’ll study the makeup of cells and the fundamentals of evolution. | 10%–13% |
| Unit 3: Cellular Energetics | You’ll explore how cells interact with their environment and how fundamental biological processes work at the cellular level. | 12%–16% |
| Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle | You’ll learn how cells grow and reproduce, as well as how cells communicate. | 10%–15% |
| Unit 5: Heredity | You’ll study how hereditary information passes from parent to offspring and how those traits are expressed. | 8%–11% |
| Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation | You’ll learn how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. | 12%–16% |
| Unit 7: Natural Selection | You’ll learn about Darwin’s theory, the concept of natural selection, and evolution. | 13%–20% |
| Unit 8: Ecology | You’ll explore biological concepts at a broader organism level and analyze how populations interact within ecosystems. | 10%–15% |
AP Biology Resources
Mar 27, 2025
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