AP Biology Data Analysis Practice Questions | RevisionDojo

One of the most common AP Biology FRQ formats involves analyzing data from an experiment — tables, graphs, or research scenarios. These questions test your ability to interpret trends, draw conclusions, and connect results to biological concepts.

At RevisionDojo, we’ve broken down exactly how to approach AP Bio data analysis FRQs and included practice examples modeled on real College Board questions.

1. What Data Analysis FRQs Look Like

College Board usually gives you:

• A graph or data table with experimental results.
• A short description of the experimental setup.
• Questions that ask you to:
  • Describe trends.
  • Identify relationships.
  • Explain biological reasoning.
  • Predict outcomes for new scenarios.

2. Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1 – Read the Entire Prompt First
Don’t skip to the data — understand the context before interpreting results.

Step 2 – Identify Variables
What was manipulated (independent variable) and what was measured (dependent variable)?

Step 3 – Look for Patterns
Is the relationship positive, negative, or constant? Any outliers?

Step 4 – Connect to Biology
Explain why the trend occurs using the relevant AP Biology concept (e.g., cellular respiration, photosynthesis, gene expression).

Step 5 – Use Proper Data References
When describing trends, include exact data points or changes — this is essential for scoring points.

3. Common Mistakes on Data Analysis FRQs

• Describing data without explaining why it happens.
• Ignoring anomalies or unexpected results.
• Failing to mention units or exact values.
• Making vague statements like “it increases” without context.

4. Sample Practice Question 1 – Modeled on Past FRQs

Prompt: A scientist measured the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea plants under different light intensities. The table below shows the mean rate of oxygen production (mL O₂ per minute).

Light Intensity (lux) Rate of O₂ Production (mL/min) 0 0.0 500 2.1 1000 3.8 1500 4.0 2000 4.1

Questions:

1. Describe the trend in the data.
2. Explain the biological reason for the plateau in oxygen production.
3. Predict what would happen if the light intensity increased to 2500 lux.

Sample High-Scoring Answer (from RevisionDojo rubric):

1. The rate of O₂ production increases from 0.0 mL/min at 0 lux to 4.0 mL/min at 1500 lux, then levels off around 4.1 mL/min at 2000 lux.
2. The plateau occurs because another factor (e.g., enzyme saturation in the Calvin cycle) limits photosynthesis despite increased light.
3. At 2500 lux, the rate would remain around 4.1 mL/min due to the same limiting factor.

5. Sample Practice Question 2 – Modeled on Past FRQs

Prompt: A researcher studied the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. The results are shown in the graph below. (Graph shows enzyme activity peaking at 37°C and decreasing sharply after 40°C.)

Questions:

1. Identify the optimal temperature for the enzyme.
2. Explain why enzyme activity decreases after 40°C.
3. Predict the effect of cooling the solution to 10°C.

Sample High-Scoring Answer:

1. The optimal temperature is about 37°C.
2. Above 40°C, enzymes denature, altering the active site and preventing substrate binding.
3. At 10°C, molecular motion slows, reducing collision frequency between enzyme and substrate.

6. Where to Find Real AP Biology Data Analysis FRQs

• College Board AP Central – Search past FRQs from 2002–2023. Look for any question involving a graph or data table.
• 2018 #5: Cellular respiration rates at different temperatures.
• 2015 #4: Photosynthetic rate under varying light wavelengths.
• 2013 #7: Population growth of bacteria under different nutrient levels.

7. RevisionDojo Quick Data Analysis Checklist

Before moving on from a data question, make sure you:

• Described the trend with exact data values.
• Explained the biological cause of the trend.
• Addressed anomalies if present.
• Predicted future outcomes if asked.

FAQ – AP Biology Data Analysis FRQs

1. Should I always mention exact numbers?
Yes — this is a common scoring requirement on College Board rubrics.

2. What if my explanation is wrong but I describe the data correctly?
You can still earn description points, but you’ll lose reasoning points. Always connect to correct biological concepts.

3. How much detail do I need for predictions?
Brief but clear — describe the expected change and explain why.

RevisionDojo Pro Tip: The fastest way to improve on data FRQs is to practice describing trends out loud while pointing to graphs or tables. This builds speed and accuracy for test day.