AP Biology is known to be one of the more challenging exams, so we gathered some suggestions on how to be successful in that class pulled from students who excelled in the class and on the exam.

While it is true you should do as much as you can before the exam, such as free response questions and multiple-choice questions provided by the college board and Dr. James, pace yourself. You have many months until the exam and many resources. And, remember to be confident. You have been prepping for multiple years!

Homework

1. If you remember what you learned in Honors Biology, complete the topic questions earlier than when it’s due. Review what you got wrong and review why the right answer is correct
2. Complete the progress checks after you finish the material in class.
3. Watch the videos and make note of diagrams and repeated ideas. Remember these ideas because they will be applied in the AP and assessments.

Understanding content

1. Focus on the overall idea of processes and remember a few key details that Dr. James and the textbook make.
2. Make diagrams of those processes.
3. Remember vocabulary and its use in biological functions.
4. Read the textbook. It will help A LOT in understanding complex concepts
5. Watch the AP daily videos prior to class so that you are ready for the class.

Recommended prep books

• Barron’s Premium Edition provides great FRQs and MCQ practice 
• Black book – Dr James will give this to you. Note: this book covers advanced concepts so do not fret if you don’t understand some chapters. 
• 5 steps to a 5 offers a quick conceptual review

Doing well on the AP

1. Do the FRQs which Dr. James makes optional. Read the task verbs, see what they expect and the amount of sentences/detail they require. 
2. Practice on the given FRQs from the prior exams. Focus on the ones from 2020. At first, practice doing the questions without timing and then start timing by January/February.
3. Annotate the FRQ answer keys- often those same required answers are repeated later on. Do not just name-drop key terms. Instead, explain their function and RELATE BACK TO QUESTION.
4. Review the multiple choice which Dr James gives in the tests and the AP classroom questions. Identify what the question is asking and answer accordingly. 
5. For a more general comprehensive review, watch APsolute Recaps and AP Bio Penguins. For more in-depth analysis: watch Paul Anderson.

The most important tip, however, out of all of these is to lean on Dr. James for support. She will re-explain and wants to see you succeed, so trust her, and you will do well. To do well on the exam, all you need to do is practice, practice, and practice.