If you’re planning your AP course load, you might be wondering: Should I take AP Biology or AP Chemistry?
Both are challenging, college-level science classes with lab work, heavy reading, and cumulative exams. But they serve different purposes in your academic journey.
In this RevisionDojo comparison guide, we’ll break down:
- How each class is structured
- Which topics are covered
- The type of student who thrives in each
- Exam format and scoring differences
- Career and college major relevance
1. Core Differences at a Glance
AP Biology:
- Focus: Living systems, genetics, evolution, ecology, and cell biology
- Skills: Conceptual understanding, data analysis, experimental design
- Less math-heavy, more reading and vocabulary memorization
- Great for students who enjoy life sciences or plan on pre-med
AP Chemistry:
- Focus: Matter composition, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, kinetics
- Skills: Problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, lab techniques
- Math-intensive (algebra-based calculations in nearly every unit)
- Ideal for students interested in engineering, physical sciences, or pre-med with strong math skills
2. Course Content
AP Biology Units:
- Chemistry of life
- Cell structure and energetics
- Genetics and heredity
- Gene expression and regulation
- Natural selection and evolution
- Ecology and environmental interactions
AP Chemistry Units:
- Atomic structure and periodicity
- Chemical bonding and molecular geometry
- Intermolecular forces and states of matter
- Chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and kinetics
- Thermodynamics and equilibrium
- Acids, bases, and buffers
3. Workload and Study Style
AP Biology:
- Heavy emphasis on vocabulary (hundreds of terms to know)
- FRQs often require written explanations, diagrams, and analysis of experimental results
- Practice often involves reading primary literature or interpreting graphs
AP Chemistry:
- Frequent problem sets — expect to calculate moles, concentrations, enthalpy changes
- Labs require precise measurements and understanding of error analysis
- Success depends on mastery of math skills applied to chemistry concepts
4. Exam Format & Difficulty
AP Biology Exam:
- Section I: 60 MCQs in 90 minutes (50%)
- Section II: 6 FRQs in 90 minutes (50%)
- Emphasis on data analysis, trends, and written reasoning
- Pass rates (recent years): ~65% score 3+, ~7% score 5
AP Chemistry Exam:
- Section I: 60 MCQs in 90 minutes (50%)
- Section II: 7 FRQs in 105 minutes (50%)
- Heavier quantitative focus — multiple multi-step calculations per FRQ
- Pass rates (recent years): ~56% score 3+, ~11% score 5
5. Which Is Harder?
It depends on your strengths:
- If you’re stronger in math and logical problem solving, AP Chemistry may feel more straightforward.
- If you’re better at memorizing terms and explaining concepts, AP Biology may suit you better.
Many students consider AP Chemistry more time-consuming due to its math intensity, but AP Biology can also feel overwhelming with the sheer volume of content.
6. College & Career Relevance
AP Biology:
- Useful for majors like Biology, Environmental Science, Psychology, and Medicine
- Demonstrates strength in life sciences
AP Chemistry:
- Useful for majors like Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Chemical Engineering
- Shows strength in physical sciences and quantitative reasoning
7. Student Scenarios
Choose AP Biology if:
- You’re considering medicine, nursing, or environmental work
- You prefer conceptual questions over multi-step math problems
- You’re taking AP Chemistry later and want a science AP now
Choose AP Chemistry if:
- You’re aiming for engineering, physical sciences, or chemistry-heavy majors
- You’re comfortable applying algebra to science problems
- You want a rigorous AP science that emphasizes calculations
8. Taking Both
Some students take both AP Biology and AP Chemistry, often in different years.
- This can be beneficial for pre-med students who will need both subjects in college.
- However, avoid taking them in the same year unless you have exceptional time management and a strong science foundation.
FAQ – AP Biology vs AP Chemistry
Q1: Which AP science looks better for college?
Both are respected — choose based on your intended major. STEM-heavy majors may prefer AP Chemistry, while health sciences may prefer AP Biology.
Q2: Is AP Chemistry much harder than AP Biology?
It’s not necessarily “harder,” but AP Chemistry is more math-intensive, while AP Biology is more memorization-heavy.
Q3: Can I take AP Biology without AP Chemistry?
Yes — they are independent courses, though chemistry knowledge helps with some AP Biology units like biochemistry.
Final Call-to-Action
Whether you choose AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or both, time management and consistent review are key. Get RevisionDojo’s AP Science Study Pack with pacing templates, past FRQs with scoring guides, and targeted MCQ practice to maximize your exam score.
