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AP Biology Practice Test

Build AP Biology readiness with original cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, data analysis, and experimental reasoning questions.

AP Biology practice sets

This page provides one canonical AP Biology practice hub with five short sets of 10 original questions each. The sets cover chemistry of life, cells, cellular energetics, communication and heredity, gene expression, natural selection, ecology, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific argumentation.

Skills covered

  • Explain biological concepts, processes, and models
  • Analyze visual representations, data tables, graphs, and experimental results
  • Identify questions, methods, controls, variables, and evidence
  • Use quantitative reasoning and statistical evidence in context
  • Develop and justify scientific arguments using relevant biological evidence

AP Biology course and exam scope

College Board organizes AP Biology into eight units: Chemistry of Life, Cells, Cellular Energetics, Cell Communication and Cell Cycle, Heredity, Gene Expression and Regulation, Natural Selection, and Ecology. The course also emphasizes science practices such as concept explanation, visual representations, questions and methods, data analysis, and argumentation.

College Board’s current exam page describes a hybrid digital exam in which students view questions in Bluebook and handwrite free-response answers in paper booklets. Current information also allows approved calculators on both sections, while 2027 calculator guidance limits handheld calculators with storage capabilities. Check the current official policy before test day.

How to use this page

Start with one untimed set to identify a topic gap, then use timed sets to build pacing. For every missed item, name the biological mechanism, inspect the evidence, and write a conclusion that stays within the experimental conditions.

These questions are original supplemental practice. They are not official College Board questions, secure AP Exam content, AP Classroom assignments, a score predictor, or a substitute for current AP policies and course materials.

For current scope and preparation, review the AP Biology course page, the AP Central course overview, the AP Biology exam page, the AP Biology Course and Exam Description, and the AP calculator policy.

For more study options, visit AP Exam Tests or explore College Readiness Tests, High School Course Tests, and Pomodoro.

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5 Tests
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1. Test

AP Biology Practice Questions

A 10-question AP Biology practice set on ap biology: chemistry of life, cells, and energetics, with answers and explanations.

Read the biological scenario, model, data, or experimental design carefully. Choose the best answer and review the explanation after each response.

10 Questions
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1. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does water have a relatively high specific heat?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Hydrogen bonds absorb energy before water molecules increase in temperature.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: Hydrogen bonding helps water resist rapid temperature change.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

Hydrogen bonding helps water resist rapid temperature change.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which macromolecule is built from amino acid monomers?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Protein.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: Amino acids link through peptide bonds to form proteins.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

Amino acids link through peptide bonds to form proteins.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a major function of the plasma membrane?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It regulates movement into and out of the cell.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: The selectively permeable membrane helps maintain cellular conditions.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

The selectively permeable membrane helps maintain cellular conditions.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A cell placed in a hypertonic solution will generally do what?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Lose water by osmosis.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: Water moves toward the solution with lower water potential.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

Water moves toward the solution with lower water potential.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the role of an enzyme?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It lowers activation energy for a reaction.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: Enzymes speed reactions by lowering activation energy without being consumed.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

Enzymes speed reactions by lowering activation energy without being consumed.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Where does most cellular respiration occur in a eukaryotic cell?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Mitochondria.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: Mitochondria contain structures for the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

Mitochondria contain structures for the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the main role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It absorbs light energy.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: Chlorophyll captures light energy that drives photosynthetic reactions.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

Chlorophyll captures light energy that drives photosynthetic reactions.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

If a reaction has a negative ΔG, what does that suggest?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The reaction is thermodynamically favorable under the stated conditions.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: A negative free-energy change indicates a favorable direction, although enzymes can affect rate.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

A negative free-energy change indicates a favorable direction, although enzymes can affect rate.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the function of ATP in cells?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It transfers usable energy to drive cellular work.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: ATP hydrolysis can be coupled to energy-requiring processes.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

ATP hydrolysis can be coupled to energy-requiring processes.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does a smaller cell often exchange materials more efficiently than a larger cell of the same shape?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It has a greater surface-area-to-volume ratio.

  1. Identify the biological system: Determine the process, structure, evidence, or experimental variable described in the AP Biology prompt.
  2. Apply the concept: A greater surface-area-to-volume ratio supports exchange relative to internal volume.
  3. Connect evidence: Check that the conclusion matches the model, data, mechanism, or biological level named in the question.

A greater surface-area-to-volume ratio supports exchange relative to internal volume.

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Frequently asked questions about AP Biology Practice Tests

What topics are included on this AP Biology practice page?

The page covers cells, energetics, communication, heredity, gene expression, evolution, ecology, experimental design, data analysis, and scientific argumentation.

Are these official College Board questions?

No. These are original supplemental questions. Use AP Classroom, Bluebook previews, AP Central, and current College Board course materials for official preparation.

Is the AP Biology exam digital?

College Board’s current exam page describes a hybrid digital exam, with questions in Bluebook and handwritten free-response answers in paper booklets.

Can I use a calculator on AP Biology?

Current College Board policy allows approved calculators on both sections, but students should check the latest device restrictions and 2027 updates.

How should I answer a biology data question?

Identify the variables and trend, cite the relevant evidence, connect it to a biological mechanism, and limit the conclusion to the tested conditions.