Biology Equivalency Exams
The Biology department offers equivalency exams for our introductory courses, BIOL 1101, 1102, and 1121, annually at the start of the Fall semester. These exams are open ONLY to incoming first year and transfer students. Students who pass an equivalency exam, will earn credit for the lecture portion of the course. Students intending to take the BIOL 1102 equivalency exam, should also take the BIOL 1101 exam.
Please contact the Biology Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies if you have additional questions.
Exams for the Fall 2025 semester will be held on Thursday, August 21, at 10:00 am in Leidy Laboratories room 10.
If you are taking both the BIOL 1101 AND 1102 exams, you will have 3:30 hours to complete both exams.
If you are taking only the BIOL 1101 OR 1121 exam, you will have 2 hours to complete the exam.
BIOL 1101: Introductory Biology A Exam
Duration: 2 hours
BIOL 1121: The Molecular Biology of Life Exam
Duration: 2 hours
BIOL 1102: Introduction to Biology B Exam
Duration: 2 hours (unless taken with the BIOL 1101 exam)
To register for any of these exams, complete the form at Biology Placement Exam Registration.
Please arrive ~15 minutes before the start of the exams.
You MUST bring your valid Penn ID to be admitted to the exam.
The exam will be closed notes/closed book. Any pertinent information necessary to answer a given question will be provided at the time of the exam.
NO use of electronic communication devices will be permitted! (e.g. cell phones, tablets, laptop computers, etc.).