How to get the credit you deserve… AP Test Basics How to get the credit you deserve… Charlie Blair-Broeker Cedar Falls (Iowa) High School ctb-b@cfu.net

AP Scoring Scale 5 = Extremely well qualified 4 = Well qualified 2 = Possibly qualified 1 = No recommendation

Part 1: Multiple Choice 100 Questions 5 answer choices per question 70 minutes (42 seconds per question) No time prompt from proctor 2/3 overall exam credit

Part 1: Multiple Choice Scanner skills—bring a good eraser

Part 1: Multiple Choice Scanner skills—bring a good eraser Course description has % of questions in each area

Part 1: Multiple Choice Scanner skills—bring a good eraser Course description has % of questions in each area Questions organized from easiest to hardest

Part 1: Multiple Choice Scanner skills—bring eraser or whiteout Course description has % of questions in each area Questions organized from easiest to hardest

How well do you need to do? Approximate conversions Assuming half credit essays MC of 65 = 3 on exam MC of 75 = 4 on exam MC of 85 = 5 on exam

Part 2: Free Response

Part 2: Free Response 2 equally-weighted questions 50 minutes (25 minutes per question) Time prompt with 10 minutes to go 1/3 overall exam credit Instructions call for dark blue or black ink Fatal error: beginning to write before beginning to think (you must answer the question)

Part 2: Free Response To impress your reader… Get to the point (intros & conclusions count for nothing) Write in simple, declarative sentences Organize answer into paragraphs Write legibly!

Part 2: Free Response Rubric scoring Readers are looking for specific points

From 2005 Free Response Question 2 Value of diagnostic labeling Point 1: Advantages of diagnostic labeling can be established by briefly explaining any of the following. Labels can… help professionals communicate clearly and efficiently with one another. improve the reliability/consistency or validity/accuracy of diagnosis or categorization. help determine an appropriate course of treatment. help predict the course of a disorder. increase insight for those wishing to cope with a disorder. meet general scientific purposes or stimulate appropriate research on the nature of disorders. allow for more objective discussion of disorders. facilitate appropriate billing or recordkeeping. Trap: Do not award this point for advantages that are overly vague (e.g, “Labels are good.”).

A Typical Scoring Grid

Part 2: Free Response Rubric scoring Readers are looking for specific points Range: 6 to 16 (typically about 8) Usually possible to anticipate points from the structure of the question Some points will be easy and others hard

Part 2: Free Response General principles The “Oprah rule” Misinformation and “shotgunning” Spelling, grammar, and the “nuture rule”

Part 2: Free Response Goals of a good essay question Reliable scoring Good distribution of scores Better prepared students score higher

Part 2: Free Response The mindset of a reader