For details on the 2024 AP Biology Exam, check this article.
Unlike 2020 and 2021, when the College Board modified the AP exams as a response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the 2022 AP exams will return to its original format.
This year, the AP exams will take place over a two-week period in May: May 2–6 and May 9–13.
The College Board may change the format, however, if schools are disrupted in the spring due to COVID-19.
“We’ll continue to monitor global, national, and local health conditions, putting the health and safety of students first, and if there are widespread school closures in spring 2022, we’ll provide options similar to those offered in 2021,” the College Board noted here.
We will, of course, update this guide if that should happen.
The AP Biology exam for 2022 will be a full-length paper-and-pencil exam that students can take in school only.
Here is what you need to know to do well in the upcoming AP Biology exam.
Will I get college credit for the 2022 AP Biology exam?
Students who take the 2022 AP Biology exam will be eligible for college credit.
As in previous years, a student must obtain a score of 3, 4, or 5 to be eligible for college credit.
How long is the 2022 AP Biology exam?
The 2022 AP Biology exam will be 3 hours long.
What’s the 2022 AP Biology exam date and time?
The 2022 AP Biology exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11 at 12 PM local time.
What will be tested on the 2022 AP Biology exam?
The 2022 AP Biology exam will test students on the whole course content, so be prepared to answer questions on these topics:
- Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
- Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
- Unit 3: Cellular Energetics
- Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
- Unit 5: Heredity
- Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation
- Unit 7: Natural Selection
- Unit 8: Ecology
What is the AP Biology exam format for 2022?
The 2022 AP Biology exam will be split equally between two sections: multiple-choice and free-response questions. Each section is worth 50 percent of the exam score.
You will have 1 hour, 30 minutes to answer 60 multiple-choice questions and 1 hour, 30 minutes to answer 6 free-response questions.
The chart below shows the breakdown of the exam components.
| Section | # Questions | Time Allocation | Exam Weight |
| I: Multiple Choice | 60 | 1 hour, 30 mins | 50% |
| II: Free Response | 6 | 1 hour, 30 mins | 50% |
You may use a 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, such as this TI-84 graphing calculator by Texas Instruments, on the exam. You may also use the AP Biology Equations and Formulas Sheet.
Does the College Board offer any free AP Biology exam prep resources?
The College Board is offering a number of free AP Biology exam resources to students to help them prepare for the exam.
AP Biology Practice Tests
You can get examples of free-response questions from past AP Biology exams for free. You can use these as practice tests to supplement other test prep materials you use.
Check here for free-response questions posed in the 2021 AP Biology exam. You can also log in to the AP Classroom Question Bank for questions posed in the 2020 exam.
And check here for free-response questions from the 1999-2019 AP Biology exams.
AP Biology Courses
The College Board’s AP YouTube channel gives students access to APLive classes and recordings delivered by AP teachers from across the country. Additionally, to help students review course content and skills before their exam, the College Board gives students access to the AP Daily: Live Review sessions for the 2021 AP Biology exam.
What are my other options for preparing for the 2022 AP Biology exam?
If you don’t have an AP Biology review book already, check out TUN’s Textbook Save Engine to compare prices and get the best deals.
There are also online resources that you can use to help you prepare for the 2022 AP Biology exam.
Khan Academy
In partnership with the College Board, Khan Academy provides an official AP Biology course that comes with free instructional videos, articles, and practice exercises created by current and former AP teachers. In addition, Khan Academy offers free exam skills and strategies.
Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers a 6-Hour AP Cram Course for the AP Biology exam. The course covers topics on DNA and RNA, the cell cycle, evolutionary biology, and more. A Princeton Review expert will help you get ready for test day.
The course, which comes with a Princeton Review prep book, can be ordered online for $399. For now, there are 3 available Cram Course schedules.
- April 30 & May 1, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Eastern time)
- May 2 & 4, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Eastern time)
- May 7 & 8, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM (Eastern time)
The Princeton Review also offers private tutoring, available both in-person or online, for a fee starting at $206 an hour. If you decide to go with this personalized option, expert tutors will work with you to “make a plan, set goals, and exceed them.” The Princeton Review guarantees that if you’re not 100% satisfied, you will be matched with another tutor and get your next lesson for free.
If you’re taking more than one AP exam in 2022, check TUN’s AP Exam Review for details on other AP exams.
