AP Biology 2026–27: The Score Is Split Exactly 50/50 — Exam Format, Fees, and the May 3, 2027 Date
AP Biology splits its score exactly down the middle between multiple choice and free response, which makes it one of the few AP exams where writing practice is worth as much preparation time as content review. Candidates who drill only multiple choice are optimising half the exam. The next administration is Monday, May 3, 2027, and it is a Session 2 exam — College Board describes Session 2 as the afternoon timeslot, and it does not publish exact start times. Your school’s AP coordinator sets and communicates the actual time, so do not plan around a morning start. This page keeps the practical details in one place: section structure and timing, what the exam costs including the fees people forget, what score colleges typically want, and which SimpuTech resources to use next.
AP Biology runs 3 hours. Section I is 60 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 30 minutes for 50% of the score; Section II is 6 free-response questions — two long and four short — in another 1 hour 30 minutes for the other 50%. Calculators are permitted and reference materials are provided, so reasoning from supplied data matters more than raw recall. The next exam is Monday, May 3, 2027, in Session 2.
Last updated on August 30, 2026
How we verified this page
Exam structure, timing, weighting, calculator policy, and the 2027 exam date were verified against the College Board AP Biology assessment page and the AP Exam calendar on August 30, 2026. Fees come from the College Board AP exam fees page and apply to the 2026–27 school year. Score interpretation comes from the College Board AP scores page. Wage data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 figures. College Board does not publish exact session start times — confirm yours with your AP coordinator.
Official AP Biology exam facts
| Fact | Current detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total exam length | 3 hours | College Board AP Biology assessment |
| Section I — Multiple Choice | 60 questions, 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of score | College Board AP Biology assessment |
| Section II — Free Response | 6 questions (2 long, 4 short), 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of score | College Board AP Biology assessment |
| Calculator and reference policy | Calculators are permitted, and reference materials such as equation sheets and reference tables are provided for this course | College Board AP Biology assessment |
| Next exam date | Monday, May 3, 2027, in Session 2. College Board describes Session 2 as the afternoon timeslot and does not publish exact start times — your AP coordinator confirms the time | College Board AP Exam calendar |
| Exam fee | $99 in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada, and DoDEA schools; $129 outside the U.S. | College Board AP exam fees |
| Late order and cancellation fees | $40 per exam ordered between November 14 and March 12, and $40 per exam that is ordered then unused or cancelled | College Board AP exam fees |
| Fee reduction | Eligible students with significant financial need may receive a $37 College Board fee reduction per exam | College Board AP exam fees |
| What your school may add | College Board notes that schools may charge more than the base fee to cover their own proctoring and administration costs, so the figure you pay can exceed $99 | College Board AP exam fees |
| Score needed for credit | Scored 1–5. Many U.S. colleges grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 3 and above, but each college sets its own policy | College Board about AP scores |
Where the biology track leads
AP Biology is a high school exam, so its direct payoff is college credit and placement rather than a wage. The benchmarks below show representative destinations for students who continue in the life sciences.
| Role / benchmark | Pay | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Medical scientists | $103,410 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. A representative life-sciences destination, projected to grow 13% from 2025 to 2035 BLS Medical Scientists |
| Registered nurses | $97,550 median annual wage | May 2025 figure, with 6% projected growth. A common destination for students who take AP Biology as a pre-health course BLS Registered Nurses |
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Official resources
Section structure, timing, weighting, and the calculator and reference-material policy.
The 2027 exam dates and which session each subject falls in.
Base fee, out-of-country fee, late-order and unused-exam fees, and the fee reduction.
The 1–5 scale and how colleges use it for credit and placement.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the AP Biology exam in 2027?
Monday, May 3, 2027. It is a Session 2 exam, which College Board describes as the afternoon timeslot. College Board does not publish exact start times, so confirm the time with your school’s AP coordinator rather than assuming a morning start.
How is AP Biology scored between the two sections?
Exactly 50/50. Sixty multiple-choice questions carry half the score and six free-response questions carry the other half, with 1 hour 30 minutes allotted to each section.
Can I use a calculator on AP Biology?
Yes. Calculators are permitted, and College Board also supplies reference materials such as equation sheets and reference tables. Check the AP Exams Calculator Policy for approved models.
What does the AP Biology exam cost?
$99 in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada, and DoDEA schools, or $129 outside the U.S. Exams ordered between November 14 and March 12 add a $40 late fee, and an ordered exam that goes unused or is cancelled also costs $40. Schools may charge more to cover proctoring and administration.
What score do I need for college credit?
Many U.S. colleges grant credit or advanced placement for a 3 or above, but every college sets its own policy. Check the requirement at the schools you are applying to rather than assuming a 3 is enough.