APES FRQ Tips Secrets to earn the points you deserve on the written portion of the APES exam

Structure of the exam You have 90 minutes to write 4 essays. Plan to use 22 minutes per essay. Leave yourself a few minutes to read over your answers and breath a little, too. Each essay is graded on a 10-point scale. Usually the grading rubric is set up to contain slightly more than 10 points (e.g., 11-13). However, you can only earn a maximum of 10 points on any one question, for a total of 40 points. This means that extra points can be earned to some parts of questions, especially in listing things. (list ones you know to be true first, and only list extras if you are 100% positive they are correct)

Types of questions One of the four questions will involve the Analysis of a Data Set, and math based (Calculators not allowed) One of the questions will be a Document-Based question. You will have to read a document and answer questions based on that information as well as your general knowledge. This is often where you can add sustainable examples or quote Environmental Laws to support your argument Two questions will be Synthesis and Evaluation. One of these questions will require you to set up an experiment to show some particular effect.

DO THESE THINGS o Read the questions carefully, noting especially the instructional words (describe, compare, design, develop an argument, etc…) o Pace yourself! Look at the clock at the beginning of each essay question. Break the time into four 22 minute periods. Stop working on each question when your time is up. You can always come back if you have time. o Organize and label the question as it is asked. If it has three distinct parts, then organize your answer into three distinct parts. o Use, and define academic vocabulary! Say something about each of the important terms you use. o Go into detail that is on the subject and to the point. Be sure to state the obvious. Remember no detail is too small to be included as long as it is to the point! o Develop your ideas as completely as possible in the time allotted, but avoid repeating the same information. o Cite examples of major concepts, where applicable.

DO THESE THINGS…Continued o Follow all instructions carefully. If a question instructs you to choose three out of five topics to discuss, you will ONLY be evaluated on the first three that you discuss, regardless of the quality of your fourth or fifth response. o You are NOT penalized points for wrong information UNLESS you contradict a correct answer for which you received credit. Attempt an answer to every question or part of a question. A blank paper earns no points. o If you are asked to design an experiment, the most important point is to be creative, well organized and knowledgeable about how to do the experiment. Practice doing this in class is IMPORTANT!!! o Write an ESSAY! Outlines and diagrams, no matter how elaborate and accurate are NOT essays and will not get you much, if any, credit by themselves.

DON’T DO THESE THINGS… o Rewrite the question…it earns you no points, and wastes precious time. Just dive right into the answer. o Don’t waste a lot of time on background information or a long introduction, unless the question calls for it. o Don’t ramble…get to the point. o Don’t use a pencil…ball point pen with blue or black ink ONLY. o Don’t panic because you are unfamiliar with the question. You have probably heard something about the subject…be calm and think. Write whatever you know. It could be good for a point…which is better than none! o Don’t scratch out excessively. A single line or two through unwanted words are fine. o Be as neat as possible. If a grader can’t read it, you won’t get any points. o Don’t leave any questions totally blank. Remember that each point you earn on an essay question is the equivalent of two correct multiple choice questions! There is NO penalty for wrong answers. Make an effort on every questions, and Don’t QUIT!!!