Biology for the AP® Course

Biology for the AP® Course, Second Edition is the only major AP® Biology program built entirely for the AP® course. Unlike college texts adapted for high school, this text was written from the ground up to align with the latest 2025-2026 Course and Exam Description (CED), support the Big Ideas, and meet the needs of AP® students and teachers alike.

This trusted second edition adds even more AP® practice questions, new Unit-Opening Essays, a full Unit 0 on foundational skills, and end-of-unit Illustrative Examples that connect concepts to real-world science. The highly readable text balances accessibility with rigor—carefully scaffolding learning to help all students succeed with college-level biology.

Throughout the program, science practices are seamlessly integrated into the student friendly narrative along with visuals, activities, and assessments, helping students build the skills they need for the exam and beyond. Every element—from the AP® Exam Tips to the in-text tutorials and Practicing Science boxes—was crafted by a team of AP® experts, including former Chief Readers and longtime educators.

With powerful digital tools in Achieve—including assignable assessments, adaptive quizzing, and rich media like animations, simulations, and podcasts—this program equips teachers to deliver a complete, engaging, and effective AP® Biology experience.