The Course

AP Biology

Sign In to AP Classroom

Future AP Biology Updates

We're updating AP Biology for earliest possible implementation in the 2025-26 school year.

Course Overview

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions.

Course and Exam Description

Course Resources

Course Content

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 Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)
 Unit 1: Chemistry of Life 8%–11%
 Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function 10%–13%
 Unit 3: Cellular Energetics 12%–16%
 Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle 10%–15%
 Unit 5: Heredity 8%–11%
 Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation 12%–16%
 Unit 7: Natural Selection 13%–20%
 Unit 8: Ecology 10%–15%

Science Practices

The AP Biology framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills, called science practices, that students should practice throughout the year—skills that will help them learn to think and act like biologists.

 Skill DescriptionExam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)
 1. Concept Explanation Explain biological concepts, processes, and models presented in written format 25%–33%
 2. Visual Representations Analyze visual representations of biological concepts and processes 16%–24%
 3. Question and Method Determine scientific question and method 8%–14%
 4. Representing and Describing Data Represent and describe data 8%–14%
 5. Statistical Tests and Data Analysis Perform statistical tests and mathematical calculations to analyze and interpret data 8%–14%
 6. Argumentation Develop and justify scientific arguments using evidence 20%–26%

AP and Higher Education

Higher education professionals play a key role in developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Education section 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 AP Biology Development Committee

The AP Program is unique in its reliance on Development Committees. These committees, made up of an equal number of college faculty and experienced secondary AP teachers from across the country, are essential to the preparation of AP course curricula and exams.