Hey folks, I was wondering how the AP Biology exam is scored. How much weight do the multiple-choice and free-response sections hold? And what contributes to the composite score? I want to make sure I'm focusing my study time on the right areas.
Hello! The AP Biology exam is scored based on two main sections: the multiple-choice section and the free-response section.
1. Multiple-Choice Section: This section accounts for 50% of your final score. It consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that you need to complete within 90 minutes. Each correct answer will add one point to your total multiple-choice score.
2. Free-Response Section: This section also accounts for the other 50% of your final score. It contains six free-response questions, including two long-form and four short-form questions, to be completed in 90 minutes. The long-form questions are each worth 10 points, and the short-form questions are worth 4 points each. Your free-response score will be the sum of the points you receive on each question based on the specific rubric.
After both sections are completed, your raw scores for the multiple-choice and free-response sections are combined to get your composite score.
Regarding the AP exam's 5-point scale:
- A composite score of 67 or above typically corresponds to a 5
- A composite score between 56 and 66 is typically a 4
- A score between 45 and 55 generally earns a 3
- Scores between 34 and 44 usually receive a 2
- Composite scores of 33 or below most likely earn a 1
Keep in mind that the College Board may slightly adjust these score boundaries each year based on exam performance. For more detailed information about AP exam scoring, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-are-ap-exams-scored-heres-the-breakdown/
It's advisable to balance your study time between the multiple-choice and free-response sections as they both contribute equally to your overall score. Focus on key concepts that will be relevant to both sections to best prepare for the exam, and practice applying them using sample questions from past exams or prep books.
If you want a more comprehensive breakdown of what the AP Biology exam covers, as well the structure of the exam, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which also includes study tips that you might find handy: https://blog.collegevine.com/ultimate-guide-to-the-biology-ap-exam
Good luck with your studies!
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