If you need help studying for the FTCE Biology 6-12 test or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free FTCE Biology 6-12 practice test!
What’s on the Test?
The FTCE Biology 6-12 test contains 80 multiple-choice questions and is timed at 2.5 hours.
The exam is split into 10 competencies:
1. The Investigative Processes of Science
18% of the exam
- Light microscope components and use
- Types of microscopy and their applications
- Common lab procedures
- Proper techniques for field studies
- Calculating measurements in the appropriate metric units
- Knowing the difference between, laws, theories, conclusions, hypotheses, observations, inferences, and assumptions
- Interpreting empirical data
- Scientific vs. nonscientific knowledge
- Relationships between variables and possible outcomes
- Relating the validity of scientific knowledge to statistical significance, technological limitations, reproducibility, bias, and types of error
- The development of biological theories and knowledge
- Qualitative and quantitative data
- Elements of a well-designed and controlled experiment
- The dynamic nature of science
- Patterns that govern the occurrence of natural events
2. Interactions Between Science, Technology, and Society
4% of the exam
- Ethical, legal, social, and economic implications of scientific research and practices
- Environmental challenges that may result from advances in science and technology
- The effects of globalization on pathogens and invasive species
- Pertinent legislation and national guidelines surrounding lab safety, hazardous materials, and using organisms in the classroom
3. The Chemical Processes of Living Things
14% of the exam
- Structures and functions of organic and inorganic compounds
- Applying the laws of thermodynamics to living systems
- The effects of various variables on reaction rate
- Substrates, products, and relationships in aerobic respiration
- End products and energy yields of aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- Raw materials and products of C3 photosynthesis
- Key differences between C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis
- The role of chemiosmosis in respiration and photosynthesis
- Comparing heterotrophy and autotrophy
- Evaluating antigen-antibody reactions
- Active and passive immunity
- The roles of cell recognition in cell activity
- The effect of environmental factors on biochemistry
- The roles of ATP and ADP
- Chemosynthetic and photosynthetic processes
- Cell-to-cell communication
- Immune responses to vaccines and inoculations
4. Interactions Between Cell Structure and Cell Function
7% of the exam
- Major scientists and events that contributed to the development of the cell theory
- Major structural characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- The structure of cell organelles
- The events of each phase of the cell cycle
- Mechanisms and results of nuclear division
- Characteristics of the major taxa
- Relationships between the structures and functions of cell membrane components
- Active and passive cellular transport mechanisms
5. Genetic Principles, Processes, and Applications
11% of the exam
- Structure and function in nucleic acids
- DNA replication
- Protein synthesis
- The functions of DNA and RNA
- Regulatory systems for prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein synthesis
- Proper techniques for recombinant DNA technology
- Environmental and genetic influences on gene structure and expression
- Meiosis in plants, animals, and fungi
- Mendelian laws of inheritance
- Probability and statistical analysis in genetics
- Patterns of inheritance
- Causes of genetic disorders
- The effect of a mutation in a DNA sequence on the products of protein synthesis
6. The Structural and Functional Diversity of Viruses and Prokaryotic Organisms
4% of the exam
- The structure and function of viruses and prokaryotic organisms
- The effects of viruses on organisms
- The structures and functions of prokaryotes
- Major types of bacterial genetic recombination
- Microbial processes and products
7. The Structural and Functional Diversity of Protists, Fungi, and Plants
8% of the exam
- Major types of protists, fungi, and plants
- Effects of protists, fungi, and plants on other living things
- The structures of specialized plant tissues
- Characteristics of vascular and nonvascular plants
- The functions of the major organs of angiosperms and gymnosperms
- The structures of monocots and dicots
- Major mechanisms in plants
- The role of major plant growth regulators
- Methods of reproduction in plants
- Patterns of alternation of generations in plants, fungi, and algae
8. The Structural and Functional Diversity of Animals
13% of the exam
- Structures of animal tissue types
- Major animal body plans
- The stages, sequence, and processes of differentiation in embryological development for representative animal phyla
- he structures of the various body systems
- The contribution of the body systems to the human immune response
- The interconnectedness of animal organ systems
- The effects of positive and negative feedback loops in human systems
- Aspects of animal social behavior
9. Ecological Principles and Processes
11% of the exam
- Knowing the difference between individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, and the biosphere
- The relationship between organisms and their trophic levels
- Organisms in the hydrologic, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycles
- Patterns of energy flow in an ecosystem
- Factors that affect population composition, growth, size, and geographic distribution
- Classifying examples of species interactions
- Primary and secondary succession in biotic communities
- Costs and benefits of managing renewable and nonrenewable resources
- The effects of human population size, resource use, and technology on environmental quality
- Consequences of loss of biodiversity
- Biotic and abiotic components that define Florida’s ecosystems
10. Evolutionary Mechanisms
10% of the exam
- Comparing the current theory of evolution with previous theories
- Exceptions to and limitations of the biological species concept
- Systems of classification
- Applying a taxonomic key
- Variation within a species along an environmental cline
- Factors affecting speciation
- Various roles in evolution
- Punctuated equilibrium and gradualism
- Examples of evidence for evolutionary theory
- Aspects of modern scientific theories
- Patterns of evolutionary change
- The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
- Basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors to modern humans
How to Register
To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to create an FTCE/FELE account on their website. You can then register for the exam via your account.
The testing fee is $150.
FTCE Biology 6-12 Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
How the Exam is Scored
The FTCE Biology 6-12 test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. You’ll need a scaled score of at least 200 to pass the exam.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
FAQs
How many questions are on the FTCE Biology 6-12 exam?
The exam contains 80 multiple-choice questions.
What is the time limit for the FTCE Biology 6-12 exam?
The exam is timed at 2.5 hours.
What is the passing score for the FTCE Biology 6-12 exam?
You’ll need to get a final score of at least 200 to pass.
How much does the FTCE Biology 6-12 exam cost?
The testing fee is $150.