Important Updates
Updated Example Textbook List
An updated example textbook list is now available on the AP Course Audit website for AP Biology. This resource was reviewed by Learning List, an independent instructional materials review service for schools and districts. Learning List's detailed alignment reports and editorial reviews will help you use these materials more effectively.
Updated Course and Exam Description
The AP Biology Course and Exam Description now reflects the AP Calculator Policy updates for 2018.
Secure Exam for Classroom Use
A secure 2017 AP Biology Exam is available on the AP Course Audit website. To access, sign in to your AP Course Audit account, and click on the Secure Documents link in the Resources section of your Course Status page.
Online Learning for AP Biology Teachers
Looking for guidance on teaching quantitative reasoning in your classroom? Start with a this two-part series of interactive online modules.
Course Overview
AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes—energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.
Essential Course Resources
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AP Biology Lab Manual Resource Center
The AP Biology Lab Manual Resource Center provides information, links, and resources relating to the lab manual. -
AP Biology Course Overview
The two-page Course Overview (.pdf/1.3MB) provides a succinct description of the course and exam.
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AP Biology Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the course, exam, and AP Course Audit. -
AP Biology Quantitative Skills Guide (2012)
The AP Biology Quantitative Skills Guide (2012) contains an overview of the quantitative skills included in the course and on the exam. It provides numerous links to online activities.
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CB Standards for Science Success
The CB Standards for Science Success outlines the prior knowledge and skills necessary for students to be successful in an AP Science course.
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Inquiry Instruction in the AP Science Classroom
Inquiry Instruction in the AP Science Classroom describes what inquiry might look like in your AP Biology class.
Course Planning and Pacing Guides
Written by AP teachers, these versatile guides demonstrate a variety of ways to plan and pace the AP Biology curriculum across one academic year. Each author presents a host of ideas for activities, resources, and assessments.
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AP Biology Course Planning and Pacing Guide 1
Teresa Massey, Elizabeth Andrews High School, GA—This course is taught at a nontraditional public high school on a block schedule where the teacher focuses on student-centered and inquiry-based investigative labs.
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AP Biology Course Planning and Pacing Guide 2
Ed Braddy, J. W. Mitchell High School, FL—This course is taught at a suburban public high school where the teacher uses open and guided inquiry-based labs and activities, models, role-playing, videos, and other techniques to develop scientific inquiry and reasoning.
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AP Biology Course Planning and Pacing Guide 3
Elizabeth Carzoli, Castle Park High School, CA—This course is taught in a public suburban high school where the teacher plans instructional activities around the difficulty of the content or the students' prior knowledge. Activities are student-centered and inquiry-based.
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AP Biology Course Planning and Pacing Guide 4
Julianne M. Zedalis, The Bishop's School, CA—This course is taught at an independent college-preparatory school in a suburban community. The teacher uses lectures, open and guided inquiry-based labs and activities, videos, journal readings, and other practices to develop students' critical thinking about biology
College Board Store
Find AP Biology publications, released exams, and more in the College Board Store.
AP and Higher Education
Higher Education professionals play a key role developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Ed site features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.
This chart shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the AP Credit Policy search.
Meet the current Development Committee for AP Biology.