If you’re just days or weeks away from the AP Biology exam, you don’t have time for a slow, chapter-by-chapter review. What you need is a condensed, high-impact crash course that zeroes in on the concepts, skills, and strategies that will actually move your score up in a short amount of time. This guide from RevisionDojo is designed to help you maximize every study hour and walk into the exam feeling confident.
We’ll cover:
- What to prioritize when time is short
- The most tested AP Biology topics
- How to quickly review labs and experiments
- Strategies for FRQs and MCQs
- A sample last-week study plan
Why a Crash Course Works for AP Biology
The AP Biology exam is less about memorizing every detail and more about applying big concepts to new scenarios. In a last-minute setting, this means:
- Reviewing core themes and not obscure details
- Focusing on data interpretation, experimental design, and reasoning
- Practicing with real College Board questions so you know the style
This approach avoids time traps and ensures your brain is in “exam mode” by test day.
Step 1: Lock in the Most Tested Topics
With limited time, focus on the high-yield units according to past AP Biology exam data:
- Unit 1: Chemistry of Life – water properties, macromolecules, enzymes
- Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function – organelles, membranes, transport
- Unit 3: Cellular Energetics – photosynthesis, cellular respiration, ATP production
- Unit 4: Cell Communication & Cell Cycle – signal transduction, feedback, mitosis, meiosis
- Unit 5: Heredity – Mendelian genetics, inheritance patterns, meiosis errors
- Unit 6: Gene Expression and Regulation – transcription, translation, operons, gene control
- Unit 7: Natural Selection – evidence for evolution, Hardy-Weinberg, speciation
- Unit 8: Ecology – population growth, energy flow, ecosystem interactions
Crash course tip: Don’t just read notes—teach the concept out loud in 1–2 minutes as if explaining to a friend. If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough.
Step 2: Review AP Biology Labs Fast
AP Biology labs are common sources for FRQs and MCQs. Here’s how to speed-review them:
- Know what each lab was testing (the hypothesis)
- Be clear on the independent, dependent, and controlled variables
- Recall the expected results and why they happen
- Understand graphing and statistical analysis (χ² tests, error bars)
High-priority labs:
- Enzyme activity
- Osmosis and diffusion
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular respiration
- Population genetics (Hardy-Weinberg)
- Behavior (choice chambers, ethology)
Step 3: FRQ Crash Strategy
The FRQ section is 50% of your score—you can’t wing it.
What to Do:
- Memorize the FRQ command verbs (describe, explain, justify, predict) and what each requires
- Practice timed writing using past AP Biology FRQs from College Board’s website
- Always label graphs (title, axes with units)
- Write in bullet points if short on time—just make sure each point is complete
Last-minute FRQ formula:
- Restate the question in your first sentence (shows the grader you understand)
- Answer exactly what’s asked—don’t wander
- Use scientific vocabulary wherever possible
Step 4: MCQ Crash Strategy
Multiple-choice questions can feel tricky because of distractors. Here’s how to boost accuracy:
- Read the question stem carefully before looking at answers
- Eliminate obviously wrong choices immediately
- Look for data clues—most MCQs give you charts, graphs, or tables
- If two answers seem right, pick the most complete and precise one
Tip: Practice with AP Classroom question banks or past released exams. The style matters as much as the content.
Step 5: Formula Sheet & Calculations
Unlike some AP sciences, AP Biology doesn’t give you a massive formula sheet, but you should know:
- Chi-square test formula & interpretation
- Hardy-Weinberg equation
- Water potential formula
- Basic probability (monohybrid & dihybrid crosses)
Step 6: Last-Week Study Plan
7 Days Before Exam:
- Take a full-length practice test (timed)
- Identify weak units—focus crash review on those
6–4 Days Before:
- Review FRQ writing format daily
- Do 1–2 AP Biology FRQs each day under time pressure
- Watch condensed review videos on difficult topics
3–2 Days Before:
- Revisit labs and data analysis practice
- Do 30–40 MCQs each day from past exams
Day Before Exam:
- Light review—no cramming till 3 a.m.
- Skim formula sheet & vocab lists
- Prepare ID, calculator, pencils, and snacks
Extra Rapid-Review Hacks
- Use flashcards (Quizlet or physical) for vocabulary recall
- Mind maps for processes like photosynthesis and respiration
- Practice explaining processes in under 2 minutes—forces clarity
- Review graphs and tables from old exams to train pattern recognition
FAQ – AP Biology Crash Course
Q: Can I still get a 5 if I start studying a week before?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to focus purely on high-yield content and past exam practice without distractions.
Q: Should I memorize or understand concepts?
A: Focus on understanding. AP Biology rewards application, not rote recall.
Q: Are past FRQs better than practice books?
A: Yes—past College Board FRQs match the exact style and scoring rubrics you’ll face.
Final Call to Action
If you’re in crunch time, the best thing you can do is simulate the AP Biology exam environment and practice like it’s test day.
At RevisionDojo, we’ve built AP Biology study resources that are condensed, exam-focused, and proven to help students jump from a 3 to a 5.
✅ Get your free AP Biology FRQ practice pack here and start mastering the exact skills the College Board wants.
