AP Testing Tips

Notes from LTISD NO Backpacks Please leave backpacks at home, in the car, or in a locker. No Cellphones Please leave the cell phones someplace else. Be on Time We usually have everyone seated by 8:15. Do you typically ride the bus? That is fine but let us know so we can plan on you arriving after 8:30. MISC Water is fine. Jackets or sweater are suggested. Pencils and Pens!! No electronics allowed.

Multiple Choice 50% of grade 60 questions in 45 minutes Answer EVERY question Time permitting – go back over questions you did not guess on and make sure you did not make any mistakes Easier questions come early and get harder with the last five or so being easy again Probably will see 2 or 3 charts/graphs. Remember – if it is not on the graph – even if the info is correct – do not select it. Probably be 2-3 I, II, III, IV questions

Break In between parts you will get a short break to hang out and/or go to the restroom

FRQ 50% of grade 4 essays – 100 minutes Use a separate paragraph for each point. Copy their sentences EXACTLY and then answer – almost as if it were a short answer. The average AP grader will look at your essay for seconds and you want to practically hand the answer to him/her. AP graders are taught to count the points on their fingers and the better essays have the same simple format and are quickly graded

FRQ cont.. Explain – answer with how and why Describe – answer with how and why (sometimes grades as identification and sometimes as explain so go the harder path) Score essay as you go – Discuss, explain, compare, contrast = 2 pts – Identify, define, list = 1 pt If question asks for 1 example – give two. If it asks for 2, give 3. This gives you a chance to be wrong and not loose points. EXCEPTION – if asks you for Fundamental task then giving more than one answer will negate the question. Don’t’ write a conclusion – wastes time Define governmental terms even if it doesn’t ask you to. There is a 50/50 chance it will be counted as a point. Use a pen

AP Government Today AP Exam Review Reminders – C-Span tomorrow morning 8:15 am – Cram for the Exam – Videos on YouTube by Keith Hughes “for dummies” – Multiple Choice Questions – In Class – AP Test PPT – Watch last year’s Cram for the Exam – Sample FRQs – Review Activity Homework – Study for AP Exam - Tuesday Test Corrections (last unit) – Wednesday - Wednesday