Biology CLEP Test

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

There are 856 multiple-choice practice questions and detailed explanations contained in the Practice Tests and Study Guides below.

The ACE (American Council on Education) recommends 6 lower level college credits for this exam.

Studying, and passing, the practice tests below will allow you to confidently take and pass your Biology CLEP test. The overall key concepts, and specific individual points, that will allow you to pass your test are within the practice questions and detailed explanations.

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CLEP Practice Test and Study Guides - Begin your studies here
# of questions
Animal Reproduction and Development 35
Cell Division 42
Cells 55
Chemical Composition of Organisms 75
Chemical Nature of the Gene 71
Energy Transformations 37
Enzymes 26
Plant Reproduction and Development 71
Principles of Behavior 32
Principles of Ecology I 60
Principles of Ecology II 33
Principles of Evolution 87
Principles of Heredity 65
Social Biology 35
Structure and Function in Animals 76
Structure and Function in Plants 56


Course Information and Overview
This CLEP Test consists of material typically taught in 2 semesters of an introductory-level college course. Most colleges award 6 units of credit for this CLEP test. The actual CLEP Test is 115 questions and allows 90 minutes to complete. The exam will be testing your skills related to your knowledge of Biology including your knowledge of the processes, principles, and facts of biology, your understanding of information collection, interpretation, and hypotheses, and your understanding of biology as an endeavor with social consequences.

According to the official College Board site the Biology CLEP test contains questions from the following topics:

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology (33%)
    Organisms and their chemical composition
    Water and its properties
    The origin of life
    Chemical reactions, bonds
    Functions and structures of cell organelles
    Cell membrane properties
    Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
    Enzymes and coenzymes
    Regulation and inhibition of enzymes
    Transformation of energy including photosynthesis
    Division of cells
    Chromosomes
    Cytokinesis, mitosis, and meiosis
    Nucleic acids
    DNA replication
    Regulatory and structural genes
    Viruses
  • Organismal Biology (34%)
    Plant structures and angiosperms
    Root, stem, leaf, flower, seed, fruit
    Water absorption and mineral absorption
    Development and reproduction in plants
    Gametes fertilization/formation
    Photoperiodicity and tropisms
    Structures and functions of vertebrates
    Systems of vertebrates including skeletal, digestive, circulatory
    Homeostasis and related mechanisms
    Development and reproduction in animals
    Fertilization and formation of gametes
    Vertebrate development
    Function and formation of mammalian placenta
    Human embryos and circulation
    Heredity and mendelian inheritance
    Inheritance and chromosomal bases
    Other forms of inheritance i.e. polygenic inheritance
  • Population Biology (33%)
    Ecological principles
    Ecosystems and productivity
    Regulation and growth in populations
    Migration and density
    Niche concepts
    Habitats
    Ecology and evolution
    Concepts and history of evolution
    Natural selection and associated concepts
    Plant and animal evolution
    Living organisms and classification
    Humans and their evolution
    Behaviors including stereotyping and social behaviors
    Societies
    Population growth
    Population impacts on the earth
    Social progress

    CLEP Biology information is available at The College Board.