If you are preparing for the AP Biology Exam for the first time or have never taken this type of examination before, it can be an intimidating experience. For students who have never taken the AP Exam, they may wonder if the format is similar to that of the SAT or College Test of English. This is not true. The exam is in fact quite different from these exams because of the multiple choice format and because it is designed for high school students.

The AP Biology Exam for 2020 is shorter, more condensed, administered over the Internet, and has a very different format from prior tests. The test is also broken down into six different sections, each covering different aspects of the biology subject. The topics covered on the exam include:

An introduction to biological processes and their relationship to human biology. The topics covered include cellular and molecular mechanisms, cellular metabolism, reproductive processes, cell death, cellular maintenance, and development. There will also be discussions of environmental influences on these processes and their effect on human biology.

The study of complex behaviors such as language, vision, hearing, balance, walking, thinking, writing, and walking and the associated mechanisms. The topics covered include the genetic information needed for learning these skills, the neural mechanisms behind these behaviors, learning and retention of these skills, the structures involved in language and vision, the brain mechanisms used to learn, and how these behaviors affect the brain. Topics that will not be included in the examination are genetics, cells, hormones, enzymes, cell communication, nervous systems, brain function, brain plasticity, and evolution.

Learning about human anatomy and physiology, and pathology. There will also be discussion about the human reproductive system, nutrition and health, endocrine systems, endocrine glands, kidneys, liver, nervous system, blood, lungs, urinary tract, bowels, lymphatic system, reproductive systems, urinary, skin, muscles, bones, joints, bones, and muscles.

Learning about living organisms. This section covers both living things and in their natural state and in their state in laboratory culture. The topics covered include the structure and function of cells, the development of living things in a culture, the mechanisms involved in the metabolism and life cycle, the reproduction process, growth, the maintenance of life, and growth, the functioning of the nervous system, the role of the immune system, the regulation of growth, and maintenance of life and growth, the functioning of the digestive and reproductive systems, the role of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, circulatory, and urinary systems, the regulation of metabolism, the process by which all of these systems operate, the tissues involved in the metabolism and life processes, the functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, circulatory, digestive, circulatory, metabolic, circulatory, and urinary systems. Topics that will not be included in this section are DNA, cell structure and function, growth and development, metabolism, DNA and gene regulation, cell function and regulation, DNA repair and replication, cells in culture, cell division and function, cell metabolism, DNA repair and maintenance, DNA synthesis and replication, growth and development, cells in culture, reproduction, and genes.

Studying knowledge and information about the living world. This section will cover both living organisms and nonliving matter in their natural state and in the laboratory. The topics covered include living and nonliving objects, the structures and functions of living things, the processes involved in the exchange of matter and energy among living things, the functions of animals and in the exchange of matter and energy among organisms, the functions of nonliving things, the processes of living things and the relationships between living things and their environment, the development and function of the environment, the relationship between living things and the environment, the process of evolution, the relationship between living things and the environment, and the effects of changes in the environment on the physical structure and functions of living things.

All students will take a comprehensive test based on the topics covered in this chapter of the biology exam. This chapter should provide an excellent basis for preparing for all of the other biology exams taken at the postsecondary level.