ap bio multiple choice questions

ap bio multiple choice questions

Effective Strategies for Answering AP Biology Multiple Choice Questions

1. Introduction to AP Biology Exam Format and Structure

Skill six: Ability to communicate concepts in a cogent and logical manner.

Skill five: Understanding the relationship between a lab-based science course and lab work.

Skill four: Understanding of the relationship between and among concepts.

Skill three: Ability to quantify and interpret data.

Skill two: Thorough understanding of inquiry-based processes in science.

Skill one: Comprehension of the programmatic content of biology and an understanding of the results of scientific studies.

Unlike the exams many of you may be used to, the College Board organizes the AP Biology exam in several distinct sections. There are 69 questions in total. In chapter 7, I will discuss in depth how to organize your time for the exam and finish all the questions in the time allotted. The first section is a 60 multiple-choice question section that consists of discrete questions and questions in sets. There are seven sets of questions. Some sets have as few as 3 questions, but most have four or five. All the questions focus on the interpretation of experimental results or require you to design an experiment that would test certain hypotheses. The questions require you to use the following six major skills:

2. Key Content Areas and Concepts in AP Biology

2.3 Continuity of life An organism’s life cycle has three major stages: development, growth, and reproduction. Characteristics common to most forms of life typically arise from similar types of genetic changes. Fundamental division mechanisms operate at the cellular level; mitosis is the division of genetic material, followed by cytokinesis, resulting in daughter cells with identical sets of chromosomes and identical genetic material. Meiosis leads to the production of sex cells (gametes) which result in the formation of daughter cells with only half of the chromosomes and genetic material, contributing to differences in the genetic make-up of individuals of a species. AP Biology students should understand that complex interactions among the various organelles and systems of a cell help provide an integrated response to changing conditions within an organism.

2.2 Energy transfer within cells The cells of living organisms are involved in a highly integrated network of reactions, possibly greater than several thousands. These reactions may be broadly classified as catabolic (those that degrade larger molecules to smaller ones and liberating energy in the process) or anabolic (synthetic reactions that use energy supplied by the catabolic reactions).

2.1 Nature, function, and evolution of biological molecules Cells and organisms are composed of biological molecules. The sizes and shapes of these molecules are essential to their function. These molecules may be held together through chemical bonding to form a molecular complex. Small molecules may be the subunits of complex molecules. Molecules, in turn, are the building blocks of larger and more complex biological structures.

3. Strategies for Analyzing and Answering Multiple Choice Questions

Positive Choices: Always examine all the choices before making the prediction. Even if, as here, you can make a prediction before looking at the choices, you must interpret all of the answer choices in relation to your prediction.

The AP Biology multiple choice questions test your ability to interpret and apply biological information and data. Therefore, the best strategy for answering a test question is to come up with a prediction for the answer before you even glance at the choices given. Having a predicted answer enables you to avoid falling for trap answers and to use the answer choices as a way to recognize and evaluate evidence that might apply to solving the problem. You should immediately eliminate any choices that are inconsistent with your prediction. Spend your time figuring out the thinking level or content category that the question is addressing, and then craft a prediction to help you choose which concept or skill knowledge set you should be using.

4. Practice and Preparation Tips for AP Biology Multiple Choice Questions

When preparing for a high stakes test like the AP Biology exam, it is important to find out if your preference is for learning information by reading it over and over again to retain the information. Many people find it more helpful to use a multisensory approach to retain the information necessary to pass the exam. This means that you learn best when the information is presented to you in a variety of ways, including hands-on experiments and visual aids or demonstrations. If you find that the preferred method is to use more than one method to prepare the information, it is important to practice the techniques multiple times and to begin as early as possible in order to retain the most information. Use photographs and diagrams when necessary for the information to be developed by a student for better multi-sensory effects.

AP Biology multiple choice questions should be approached very methodically once you have cracked the code. Remember that the multiple choice section is made up of individual questions, just like the free response area – they cannot be grouped or banked. These questions represent a portion of those that are found in each of the eight AP Biology practice areas, which include molecular biology, genetics and evolution, organismal biology and ecology, cellular processes and structure and physiology as well. In addition, the emphasis of the course is the scientific process, questions may ask about integral course themes or topics from many of the curriculum supporting ideas.