AP Biology w/CD-ROM (REA) 7th Edition - The Best Test Prep for the AP Exam

Chapter 1

Passing the AP Biology Examination

About This Book
This book provides an accurate and complete representation of the Advanced Placement Examination in Biology. Our six practice tests are based on the format of the most recently administered Advanced Placement Biology Exam. Each model exam lasts three hours (including a 10-minute for reading period) and includes every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the real test. Following each of our practice tests is an answer key, complete with detailed explanations designed to clarify the material for you. Also included in this book is a targeted biology course review. We provide it as a quick and handy reference for the topics covered on the AP Biology Exam. By using the subject reviews, completing all six practice tests, and studying the explanations that follow, you will pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and, above all, put yourself in the best possible position to do well on the actual test.

About the Exam
The Advanced Placement Biology Examination is offered each May at participating schools and multi-school centers throughout the world.
The Advanced Placement Program is designed to allow high school students to pursue college-level studies while attending high school. The participating colleges, in turn, grant credit and/or advanced placement to students who do well on the examinations.
The Advanced Placement Biology Course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course, often taken by biology majors in their first year of college. The AP Biology Exam covers material in three major areas:
1. Molecules and Cells – 25%
2. Heredity and Evolution – 25%
3. Organisms and Populations – 50%

The exam is divided into two sections:

1. Multiple-Choice: Composed of 100 multiple-choice questions designed to test your ability to recall and understand various biological facts and concepts. This section of the exam is 80 minutes long, and is worth 60% of the final grade.

2. Free-Response: Consists of four mandatory questions designed to test your ability to think clearly and present ideas in a logical and coherent way. The answers must be in essay form. Outlines alone, or unlabeled and unexplained diagrams are not acceptable. Each of the four questions is weighted equally, and topics covered are as follows:
Molecules and Cells – one question
Heredity and Evolution – one question
Organisms and Populations – two questions
Any one of these four questions may require you to analyze or interpret data or information from their laboratory experience as well as classroom lectures. This section of the exam is 90 minutes long, and counts for 40% of the final grade.

A 10-minute reading period is included on the exam.

You may find the AP Biology Exam considerably more difficult than many classroom exams. In order to measure the full range of your ability in biology, the AP Exams are designed to produce average scores of approximately 50% of the maximum possible score for the multiple-choice and essay sections. Therefore, you should not expect to attain a perfect or even near-perfect score.

How to Use This Book

What do I study first?
Read over the course review and the suggestions for test-taking. Next, take the first practice test to pinpoint your area(s) of weakness, and then go back and focus your study on those specific problems. Studying the reviews thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to take the six practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual exam.
To best utilize your study time, follow our Independent Study Schedule, which you will find in the front of this book. The schedule is based on a six-week program, but if necessary can be condensed to three weeks by combining each two-week program into one week.

When should I start studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the AP Biology Examination. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with it.

Content of the AP Biology Examination
The AP Biology course covers the material one would find in a college-level general biology class. The exam stresses basic facts and principles, as well as general theoretical approaches used by biologists.

The approximate breakdown of topics is as follows:
25% Molecular and Cellular Biology
· Chemistry of life
· Cells
· Cellular energy

25% Heredity and Evolution
· Heredity
· Molecular genetics
· Evolutionary biology

50% Organisms and Populations
· Diversity of organisms
· Structure and function of plants and animals
· Ecology

About Our Review Section
This book contains an AP Biology Course Review that can be used as both a primer and as a quick reference while taking the practice exams. Our 120-page review is meant to complement your AP Biology textbook and is by no means exhaustive. By studying our review along with your text, you will be well prepared for the exam.

Studying for the AP Biology Exam
It is very important for you to choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some students may set aside a certain number of hours every morning, while others may choose to study at night before going to sleep. Other students may study during the day, while waiting in line, or even while eating lunch. Only you can determine when and where your study time will be most effective. But be consistent and use your time wisely. Work out a study routine and stick to it.
When you take the practice tests, create an environment as much like the actual testing environment as possible. Turn your television and radio off, and sit down at a quiet table free from distraction. Make sure to time yourself, breaking the test down by section.
As you complete each practice test, score your test and thoroughly review the explanations to the questions you answered incorrectly; however, do not review too much at one time. Concentrate on one problem area at a time by reviewing the question and explanation, and by studying our review until you are confident that you completely understand the material.
Keep track of your scores and mark them on the Scoring Worksheet. By doing so, you will be able to gauge your progress and discover general weaknesses in particular sections. You should carefully study the reviews that cover areas with which you have difficulty, as this will build your skills in those areas.

Test-Taking Tips
Although you may not be familiar with standardized tests such as the AP Biology Examination, there are many ways to acquaint yourself with this type of examination and help alleviate any test-taking anxieties. Listed below are ways to help you become accustomed to the AP exams, some of which may be applied to other standardized tests as well.
Become comfortable with the format of the exam. Stay calm and pace yourself. After simulating the test a couple of times, you will boost your chances of doing well, and you will be able to sit down for the actual exam with more confidence.
Read all of the possible answers. Just because you think you have found the correct response, do not automatically assume that it is the best answer. Read through each choice to be sure that you are not making a mistake by jumping to conclusions.
Use the process of elimination. Go through each answer to a question and eliminate as many of the answer choices as possible. By eliminating just two answer choices, you give yourself a better chance of getting the item correct, since there will only be three choices left from which to make your guess.
Work quickly and steadily. You will have only 80 minutes to work on 100 questions in the multiple-choice section, so work quickly and steadily to avoid focusing on any one question too long. Taking the practice tests in this book will help you learn to budget your time.
Beware of test vocabulary. Words such as always, every, none, only, and never indicate there should be no exceptions to the answer you choose. Words like generally, usually, sometimes, seldom, rarely, and often indicate there may be exceptions to your answer.
Learn the directions and format for each section of the test. Familiarizing yourself with the directions and format of the exam will save you valuable time on the day of the actual test.
Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question before you run out of time, even if you are not sure of the answer.