I didn't want to hijack the other more general AP thread, but can any tell me what the AP Biology test is like? Like format, duration, difficulty, focus (deep or wide)?

DD11 is taking her first AP class and has rather hesitantly told the teacher she wants to take the test (which we are so NOT insisting on). Frankly, this might just be the first class where she needs study skills (we are giving her a crash course in note taking, using a real textbook, and how to study this weekend). If I have some data about the test, I can give her some context about the work required to prepare.

She's a little "deer in the headlights" at her workload right now (the size of the Biology text itself is daunting). It's one thing to read course requirements and add up homework hours, it's another to actually live the experience. We're trying to balance encouraging her to step up with reminding her she has options and keeping her from burning out.

I can comment more later, but the AP Bio test changed two years ago. Middle kid took it last year as a 10th grader (after taking Biology & Chemistry prior to AP Bio).

She thought that the MC was pretty easy - more a critical thinking exercise than needing to know a bunch of Bio facts. She thought she bombed the FRQs, but I guess she didn't (she got a 5), though the FRQs required quite a bit of actual Bio knowledge.

Most AP tests run 2.5-3 hours.

As you've correctly interpreted, the key with an AP course (ANY of the AP courses) is to stay out ahead of the workload. It isn't difficult, necessarily-- but it is a steady deluge of work.

While valuing individual anecdotes, it is often also beneficial to locate information from source documents. You may already be familiar with the College Board webpages dedicated to the current AP Biology course and AP Biology exam? There are webpages for students, and for teachers. Many links on these webpages are open and accessible to all; Others are protected and require account login. These webpages are easily found with a web search - AP Biology exam info page, course overview, course planning.

Fair enough indigo and thank you for the links.

DD got a crash course from me on how to read a "real" textbook and how to highlight correctly last night. In fact her text (which looks really excellent BTW) has a section at the front about how to read the book and study (including a website for additional material).