The last big push for Team 2019-2020 AP Biology was the AP exam that we took on Monday, May 18th from 11am-12pm. This AP test was formatted as a 50 minute, two question, free-response style test that coved six main topics in the subject. This is a completely new style than the previous 3 hour, half multiple choice and half free response question test. Overall, I did enjoy the format of the new test since I could take it from home, the timing was a lot shorter, and there were less topics covered. This test and the AP exam season overall is definitely an experience I will never forget.
In case YOU find yourself taking the AP Biology exam next year or further into the future, here are some tips that I’ve compiled from my experience taking this new style of exam.
General Advice:
- Take your time reading the question as soon as you start the test.
- I ended up reading the same sentence about 5 times because I was reading too fast and couldn’t understand what it was saying.
- Make sure to do a normal pre-test taking routine before sitting down at your computer for the exam.
- This includes (but is not limited to): getting a lot of sleep, eating a good breakfast, going to the bathroom, taking deep breaths, and of course getting pumped up beforehand!
- Be CONFIDENT!
- You know a lot more than you think you do, so show some self-love and confidence! Any test does not define you as a person, so don’t be afraid to fail. No matter what happens in life, there are always ways to improve and learn!
What I used to study:
- Full length, timed AP exam practice videos on YouTube produced by the CollegeBoard
- I was able to practice the timing, grapple with the fast-pace of the test, and review content all at the same time!
- Review slideshows posted by Mrs. Girard on Schoology
- Really useful, but don’t spend so much time getting all of the details of every process down. Look overall at the main concepts and how everything can be interconnected
- Practice FRQ’s on MyAP (CollegeBoard website)
- These FRQs are so helpful in finding your weak spot in test taking. Make sure to set a timer so you know how much time you take, and always score yourself afterwards to see where you can improve!
I hope you enjoyed these tips and advice! I was fairly concerned about being unable to submit my exam, so when I got this message at the end of my test I was so relieved. Now we wait for the test results in July!!
All photos attached were taken by Kristen Carpio.
Work Cited:
“AP Biology: Timed AP Exam Practice #1”. YouTube, uploaded by Advanced Placement, 4 May 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watchv=18TFsswP5SU&list=PLoGgviqq4847VchRdUdvbDPzsp9ResrjD&index=29
AP Biology with Kristen 
Wow, I can only imagine what an experience it must’ve been to take an AP exam during a pandemic. I’m sure you did a great job! All the tips you provided for the future students are very detailed. They will not go unnoticed. Good job, Kristen!
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This post is awesome! Kristen, you are always open to sharing what you have learned and providing tips to help others succeed. Thank you for sharing your generous spirit.
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