Updated for 2026 examMatches College Board scoring formulaReviewed by AP educators
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Section I: Multiple Choice (60 questions)
Section II: Free Response
Long FRQ: 2 questions, 10 pts each
Short FRQ: 4 questions, 4 pts each
How AP Biology Scoring Works
The AP Biology exam is divided into two equal sections, each worth 50% of your total composite score.
MC Score = (Correct / 60) × 50
FRQ Score = (Raw FRQ / 36) × 50
Composite = MC Score + FRQ Score (out of 100)
Section I (MC): 60 multiple-choice questions. Your score = (correct / 60) × 50.
Section II (FRQ): 2 long FRQs (10 pts each) + 4 short FRQs (4 pts each) = 36 raw points. Score = (raw / 36) × 50.
Composite: Add both weighted sections for a score out of 100, then map to a 1–5 AP score.
Worked Example
Maya is a junior who answered 48/60 MC correctly, scored 9 and 8 on her long FRQs, and earned 3, 4, 3, 3 on her short FRQs.
MC weighted: (48/60) × 50 = 40.0
FRQ raw: 9 + 8 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 30 / 36
FRQ weighted: (30/36) × 50 = 41.7 → 42
Composite: 40 + 42 = 82 → AP Score 5
Frequently Asked Questions
The AP Biology score is calculated in two steps. Section I has 60 multiple-choice questions scaled to 50 points: (correct/60) x 50. Section II has 6 free-response questions: 2 long FRQs worth 10 points each and 4 short FRQs worth 4 points each, for 36 raw points scaled to 50: (raw FRQ/36) x 50. Both weighted sections are added for a composite out of 100, which maps to the final 1 to 5 AP score using College Board cutoffs.
AP Biology FRQs are scored by sub-parts: each point is earned independently. Even if you cannot fully answer a long FRQ, attempt every sub-part for partial credit. A partial answer beats a blank every time.