How to Take an AP Test By: Annie Seeley
Studying the Material Know the Layout of your book Create a timeline of when and which chapters to study Leave at least a week before the test to review the material that you have already studied Know the Layout of your book Create a timeline of when and which chapters to study Leave at least a week before the test to review the material that you have already studied
Studying the Material Read the Summaries First Read every chapter’s summary before studying in depth Gives you an overview of all the material that you need to study Helps you to create a timeline You know which chapters to study the most Read the Summaries First Read every chapter’s summary before studying in depth Gives you an overview of all the material that you need to study Helps you to create a timeline You know which chapters to study the most
Studying the Material List of Key Terms Make Flashcards Put the definitions into your own words Give examples from the book and any that you can think of on your own Include diagrams List of Key Terms Make Flashcards Put the definitions into your own words Give examples from the book and any that you can think of on your own Include diagrams
Studying the Material Carefully Read While Reading ask: What are the general principles? What examples are used? Can I think of any other examples? Who are the main personalities? Why are their contributions important? Make Sure you understand each concept thoroughly Carefully Read While Reading ask: What are the general principles? What examples are used? Can I think of any other examples? Who are the main personalities? Why are their contributions important? Make Sure you understand each concept thoroughly
Studying the Material After Reading Look at the key terms and quiz yourself Know definitions as well as examples Complete practice questions at the end of each chapter Carefully note what you don’t know Highlight what to work on After Reading Look at the key terms and quiz yourself Know definitions as well as examples Complete practice questions at the end of each chapter Carefully note what you don’t know Highlight what to work on
Answering Multiple Choice Questions Read the whole question Underline key words in the question and in the answer Elimination If you still don’t know the answer circle it and come back later Beware Negative Questions! Look for words such as: except, not, etc. Follow your first instinct Read the whole question Underline key words in the question and in the answer Elimination If you still don’t know the answer circle it and come back later Beware Negative Questions! Look for words such as: except, not, etc. Follow your first instinct
Answering Multiple Choice Questions Do not guess wildly Leave it blank if you don’t know You receive an 1/4 point deduction for every question you get wrong If you can get it down to two options guess Be aware of the time limit Bring a watch 60 min to answer 75 questions They increase in difficulty Do not guess wildly Leave it blank if you don’t know You receive an 1/4 point deduction for every question you get wrong If you can get it down to two options guess Be aware of the time limit Bring a watch 60 min to answer 75 questions They increase in difficulty
Answering Free-Response Questions Identify your task See what the question is asking you to do List, identify, describe, explain, evaluate, analyze, assess, compare Read the entire question and underline key terms This will help you to make sure that you have included all of them in your outline and essay Identify your task See what the question is asking you to do List, identify, describe, explain, evaluate, analyze, assess, compare Read the entire question and underline key terms This will help you to make sure that you have included all of them in your outline and essay
Answering Free-Response Questions Make an Outline Must correspond with the type of question Those with multiple components, be sure to dedicate a section to each component Identify premise, identify tasks that support the premise List supporting claims, arguments, or examples you will use Organizes thoughts and ideas Make an Outline Must correspond with the type of question Those with multiple components, be sure to dedicate a section to each component Identify premise, identify tasks that support the premise List supporting claims, arguments, or examples you will use Organizes thoughts and ideas
Answering Free-Response Questions Identify and write down the central ideas, e.g., thesis statement, and specific examples to support this statement. Grabs reader’s attention, make it solid and be sure to support it. This becomes the compass and skeleton of your response. Remember, your content is more important than your form, but a good response will be both readable (literate) and informed. Emphasize main points Identify and write down the central ideas, e.g., thesis statement, and specific examples to support this statement. Grabs reader’s attention, make it solid and be sure to support it. This becomes the compass and skeleton of your response. Remember, your content is more important than your form, but a good response will be both readable (literate) and informed. Emphasize main points
Things to Avoid When Writing Free-Response Essays If you aren’t sure of facts or examples, don’t use them! Weak facts cause readers to question if you actually know what is being discussed Don’t use statements that are: Implausible, can’t be proven, or don’t relate to the question Stay on track and don’t make claims that you can’t back up or are based on opinion If you aren’t sure of facts or examples, don’t use them! Weak facts cause readers to question if you actually know what is being discussed Don’t use statements that are: Implausible, can’t be proven, or don’t relate to the question Stay on track and don’t make claims that you can’t back up or are based on opinion
Things to Avoid When Writing Free-Response Essays No Generalizations Without supporting examples Any claims without evidence are insubstantial Don’t use your own opinion It is sometimes difficult when you are asked to evaluate something It is always better from an unbiased standpoint No Generalizations Without supporting examples Any claims without evidence are insubstantial Don’t use your own opinion It is sometimes difficult when you are asked to evaluate something It is always better from an unbiased standpoint
Things to Avoid When Writing Free-Response Essays Be careful when evaluating Always point out the positive and the negative of any theory or diagram Validity and credibility are stronger without and opinion No lengthy descriptions of verbiage Readers know what you are doing Length doesn’t matter, just answer the question Readers prefer short and concise to long and excessive arguments Be careful when evaluating Always point out the positive and the negative of any theory or diagram Validity and credibility are stronger without and opinion No lengthy descriptions of verbiage Readers know what you are doing Length doesn’t matter, just answer the question Readers prefer short and concise to long and excessive arguments
Good Job!!!!!! And Good Luck!!!!! GGood Job!!!!!! And Good Luck!!!!!