AP Environmental Science Flo Gullickson How to take the APES Exam Part 3 gullicf@gcsnc.com

The Exam May 1998 – 5,163 students took the first AP Environmental Science exam In May 2009 – 59,000 students took the APES exam What is it? Section I – 100 Multiple Choice Questions with a time limit of 90 minutes Section II – 4 Free Response Questions with a time limit of 90 minutes All questions come from the test development committee – 2 years to develop and tested at different universities.

Three exams have been released to use for review 1998,2003 & 2008 If you pass the Audit there is a third exam available to you to use. All Essays except 1998 are on line for you to use Exams are good to use as pre and post tests

May 3,2011 from 8-12AM

Effective Instructional Practices Connect with other professionals Develop a repertoire of effective teaching resources Share Activities and Post exam activities Share effective practices and lessons from with others Begin to develop an action plan and syllabus

The Exam I. Multiple Choice (60%) 100 questions in 90 minutes Breadth - Thought-provoking, fundamental ideas - Recall facts/concepts Guessing - ¼ point penalty Released Exams - three released exams

The Exam II. Free Response (40%) 4 Questions in 90 minutes Depth - 1 data set question - 2 synthesis/evaluation questions - 1 document-based question Test-taking hints - Students may be asked to plot graphs, predict, describe, identify, discuss, analyze Score range 1 - 5

Common Verbs Compare: point out similarities and differences, to examine 2 or more objects and consider the likenesses. Explain: Tell how to do( steps), tell the meaning of or why.. Give reasons for Describe: to give a picture or account of in words Discuss: to consider from various points of view

What to know about the multiple choice 1/4 point for every wrong answer No point are subtracted if you leave it blank It may be to your advantage to guess if you can eliminate at least two It is not expected that everyone will finish so DO NOT spend too much time on difficult questions Use your time effectively

What to know for the Free Response Read all four essays first, pick the one you know best and start with that one DO NOT RESTATE the question Follow the directions EXACTLY Underline the key words. If it says two only answer two Give Clear and Concise answers Do NOT make lists. You must give the answer in complete sentences Do NOT use buzz words without an explanation, example- bioaccumulate

More on Free Response Know the common APES language, example- reduce or remediate Do NOT give up on a question there is a point there for you Make sure you do all your work in the PINK booklet Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers Be aware of “negative” questions such as “ all of the following except”

Math Problems Remember NO CALCULATORS Problems are simple multiplication, division and addition Show every calculation in the PINK booklet Do NOT give up because you’re afraid of the math Read the free response carefully it’s not completely math so there can be points even if you can’t do the math

Designing an Experiment Hypothesis- If…….Then statement. Example – If the number of gypsy moths increase then the number of acorns will decrease. Control- Clearly indicate a control and the experiment Independent and dependent variable- Independent – the variable that is being changed Manipulative variable ( pH) What treatment will you apply dependent - the one that you are testing Responsive variable ( Frog) What will you measure Data or description of experiment – describe how you will take data, materials, organism etc. How it will be graphed an analyzed. State how you will draw a conclusion. Your experiment needs to be at least theoretically possible. Be consistent throughout.

Free Response Graphs Set up the graph with the independent variable along the x-axis and dependent along the y-axis Mark off axes in equal increments and label with proper units Plot points and attempt to sketch in the curve (line) If more than one curve is plotted, write a label on each curve ( this is better than a legend) Label each axis Give your graph an appropriate title( what is it showing)

Types of Free Response Data- analysis Document based Synthesis and evaluation Lets look at one of each:

MAJOR THEMES Biosphere, the living world Cycling of matter Population Food Agriculture & Soils Solid Earth Land & Water Use Atmosphere/pollution Water/pollution Human Health Energy Laws & Influential people

Hints Follow the directions EXACTLY Blue or Black ball pt. pen ONLY Complete sentences ONLY Write clearly and neatly Look for the buzz words When asks for two – only first two Label parts, a-d or e If you can’t exactly remember a word – give a shot Read all four essays first

General Misconceptions Niche & Habitat CO2 & CFC’s Atmospheric Ozone & Ground level Ozone Fission & Fusion Origin of Acids in the Atmosphere,Sulfuric & Nitric acids Convention & Alternative energy Passive and Solar energy

Become a Reader The Reading 60% College professors, 40% AP teachers Hierarchy (quality control ensures consistent scoring) - Readers - Table leaders - Question leaders - Chief reader No rubric/answer key