AP Biology exam-day guide
AP Biology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring a current, government-issued photo ID. Acceptable ID types and exact requirements vary by testing site and administration-confirm with your school or the testing provider which forms of ID are accepted.
Admission ticket / registration confirmation
Print or save your registration confirmation and any admission materials your school or testing coordinator provided. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Number 2 pencils and erasers
Bring several sharpened No. 2 pencils with good erasers for any paper-based multiple-choice sections. For digital administrations, confirm what writing materials are permitted or provided.
Blue or black pens
Bring dark blue or black pens for free-response writing if you are taking a paper administration. Confirm the permitted ink color with your proctor.
Approved calculator
AP Biology permits a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. Bring one you know well, with fresh or spare batteries, and confirm the current calculator policy with the provider before test day.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analog or digital watch helps you pace yourself. Smartwatches and any device with communication or storage capability are generally prohibited-confirm the exact rules with your proctor.
Know your timing
Familiarize yourself with the section structure and time limits for your administration. Section lengths and whether there is a break can change, so confirm the current format with the provider.
Eat and hydrate beforehand
Have a normal meal and water before the exam. Avoid trying new caffeine levels or foods on test day.
Plan your route and arrival time
Know your testing location, parking, and how early you must arrive. Arrival and late-admission policies vary-confirm with your school or testing site.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are typically restricted or must be turned off and stored. Confirm the specific device policy and storage rules with your proctor.
Review the formula list and command words
Know where the provided equations and constants appear and what verbs like 'describe,' 'explain,' and 'justify' require, so you do not lose time during the exam.
Prepare for free-response structure
Practice writing concise, labeled answers that address each part of a multi-part question explicitly, including units and clear reasoning.
Plan the day
Take one or two timed practice sections under realistic conditions. Focus your remaining review on weak units and on experimental design, data analysis, and genetics, which are heavily represented.
Review the equation and formula list and practice selecting the right equation for a prompt rather than memorizing derivations.
Re-read your own notes and error log. Practice free-response questions by outlining answers and checking them against scoring guidelines or rubrics.
Do a light review only: skim key terms, graphs, and lab techniques. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pencils, pens, and calculator.
Confirm your testing location, start time, and arrival instructions with your school or the provider. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat breakfast, arrive early, and leave prohibited devices behind or stored as instructed. Do a brief mental warm-up with one or two easy practice questions.
Read each question fully, note what is being asked, and budget time by section. On multiple choice, answer every question and flag uncertain ones to revisit.
On free response, label each part, show your reasoning, include units, and use data from any described experiment. If time is short, write bullet-style key points rather than leaving blanks.
Check that every question is answered, transfer or verify answers if needed, and review flagged items without second-guessing correct reasoning.
Rules to check
Bring and present the identification required by your testing site; acceptable ID types vary, so confirm with the provider before test day.
Follow all proctor instructions about seating, materials on the desk, and starting or stopping work.
Electronic devices such as phones and smartwatches are generally restricted during testing; confirm the exact policy and storage requirements with your proctor.
Calculator use is permitted for AP Biology, but confirm the current approved calculator policy and any restrictions with the provider.
Break timing and whether breaks are allowed depend on the administration format; confirm with your proctor and use breaks only as directed.
Scoring is based on correctly answering questions; there is typically no penalty for wrong answers on multiple choice, but confirm the current scoring rules with the provider.
Do not communicate with other examinees during the test or share exam content afterward; follow the integrity rules your school or provider specifies.
If you need accommodations, confirm approval and logistics with your school's AP coordinator well before test day.