Pre-AP Biology
AP Science Readiness

Think Like a Scientist. Build the Foundation for AP.

The College Board's Pre-AP Biology course builds the scientific investigation skills, biological literacy, and evidence-based reasoning that power success in AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science — guided by Dr. Kwame Osei.

Scientific Investigation Skills

• › Designing controlled experiments with clear variables
• › Collecting, recording, and organizing quantitative data
• › Statistical analysis and identifying sources of error

Biological Literacy

• › Building precise science vocabulary through spaced repetition
• › Constructing concept maps to connect big ideas
• › Reading and interpreting primary and secondary scientific texts

Laboratory Techniques

• › Compound and dissecting microscope use and cell identification
• › Proper pipetting, measurement, and solution preparation
• › Gel electrophoresis simulation and virtual dissection techniques

Evidence-Based Argumentation

• › Constructing scientific claims supported by specific data
• › Selecting and citing relevant evidence from experiments
• › Reasoning that links evidence to claims using biological principles

Experimental Design: You will design controlled experiments before AP Biology requires it — giving you 2 years of practice on AP's most complex skill.

CER Writing: The Claim-Evidence-Reasoning framework is the backbone of AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and APES free response questions.

Data Analysis: Reading graphs, identifying trends, calculating percent change — you'll do this every unit so it becomes automatic.

Biological Literacy: Vocabulary depth and concept mapping skills that allow you to read AP Biology passages without stopping to look things up.

Assessment Types

Every assessment in Pre-AP Biology is designed to develop skills that transfer directly to AP exams — not just measure content recall.

Phase 1: Cell Biology and Chemistry of Life

• Daily vocab review: 5 terms per day from Unit 1 word list
• Complete all Unit 1 lab activities: microscopy, osmosis experiment, enzyme lab
• Write 2 full CER responses on cell biology topics
• Draw and label cell diagrams from memory by Week 4

Phase 2: Genetics and Heredity

• Master Punnett squares: monohybrid, dihybrid, sex-linked crosses
• Practice pedigree analysis with at least 5 family trees
• Write a complete Lab Report for the DNA extraction lab
• Connect DNA → protein → phenotype chain before Week 16

Phase 3: Evolution and Natural Selection

• Apply Hardy-Weinberg to at least 3 practice problems
• Read and interpret 2 phylogenetic trees per week
• Write a CER response using evolutionary evidence (fossils, DNA, anatomy)
• Connect evolution to Unit 2 (mutation as source of variation)

Phase 4: Ecology and Environmental Systems

• Build a complete food web with 3 trophic levels for a chosen biome
• Calculate energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels
• Complete a biogeochemical cycles concept map connecting all 4 cycles
• Final synthesis: write a CER response connecting all 4 units (how ecology depends on evolution, genetics, and cell biology)

Pre-AP Biology Is Your Launchpad for AP Science Success

Every skill you build in Pre-AP Biology — experimental design, CER writing, data analysis, biological literacy — is exactly what AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science reward. Start here. Arrive at AP ready.