TIPS FOR WRITNG SUCCESSFUL FRQ’S AP BIOLOGY

1. READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY TWICE !  Circle key words as you read. EX: Explain TWO unique properties of human embryonic stem cells that distinguish them from other human cell types. Describe a current medical application of human stem cell research.

2. BREAK DOWN THE QUESTION TO BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING ASKED! EX: Explain TWO unique properties of human embryonic stem cells that distinguish them from other human cell types. Describe a current medical application of human stem cell research. Break this down. Q. How many unique properties of human embryonic stem cells do you need to address? A. two Q. What must you do with these properties? A. You must explain or describe them Q. What does distinguish mean? A. It means, “to show the difference between two or more things,” so you’re describing something a stem cell can do that a non-stem cell can’t. Q. What must you do with a current medical application of human stem cell research? A. You must describe it.

3. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE VERBS The exam writers even bold key verbs and use all-caps to specify quantities. DESCRIBE EXPLAIN COMPARE CONTRAST GIVE EVIDENCE FOR GRAPH CALCULATE DISCUSS DEFINE

4. IF YOU ARE GIVEN A CHOICE OF TWO TOPICS, CHOOSE CAREFULLY! DO NOT ANSWER BOTH! Readers are looking for you to answer what is asked, nothing more!

5. BRAINSTORM & PLAN! You will have a 10-minute reading period before writing your responses. *Spend this period reading all the questions, and use the unlined pages to sketch graphs, make notes, outline, and plan your answers. Do NOT begin writing on the lined pages until the proctor tells you to do so. Do your brainstorming in the answer booklet. Next to each question is an unlined, blank area called a “planning space.” This area is provided for making notes, outlines, diagrams, or whatever else you need to craft your answers.

AP BIOLOGY TEST BOOKLET LAY-OUT

6. GIVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN YOUR ANSWERS These questions get straight to the point, and so should your answers. There are lots of important details in those little sentences. Read them carefully. Students should never miss points because they glossed over the details.

7. DO NOT WRITE A STANDARD ESSAY! It is unnecessary to write an introduction or conclusion for your answers. Just answer the question directly. Remember that you CANNOT WRITE IN OUTLINE FORM! You must write IN COMPLETE SENTENCES IN PARAGRAPH FORM. Graphics (properly labeled) can earn points and may be a quick way to convey what you know, but be sure to refer to them in your answer!

8. BE SURE YOU ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTIONS SEPARATELY! A single question might have two or three parts requesting specific information. Answer each part of the question in a separate paragraph. Some questions are divided into parts such as a, b, c, & d. Answer these questions separately, in paragraphs labeled a, b, c, & d accordingly.

9. ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE FRQ Don’t overload the detail on one part at the expense of another part because each part is apportioned a specific number of points. If you “over-answer” one part, you will only get the apportioned points for that part and none for the part you overlooked. You will NOT receive more than the apportioned points for any given part of an answer.

10. BUDGET YOUR TIME! It is best to respond to all the questions rather than to answer a couple of them extremely well with no response on the others. Questio n Number Question StylePoint Value Approximate Weight Suggested Minutes to Complete 1Long FRQ1025%22 2Long FRQ1025%22 3Short FRQ410%6 4Short FRQ410%6 5Short FRQ410%6 6Short FRQ37%6 7Short FRQ37%6 8Short FRQ37%6

11. DO NOT BE OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT MECHANICS OF WRITING You will not be penalized for incorrect grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You will not be penalized for poor penmanship, unless the reader cannot recognize the content. Write as neatly as possible, in ink, and scratch out errors neatly.

12. NEVER LEAVE AN FRQ BLANK!!!!! The eight FRQ’s count as 50% of your grade. Make an effort to answer ALL of the questions. In terms of the amount of detail in the knowledge required, the essay section is easier than the multiple-choice. On essay questions, you get to choose what to write. You can get an excellent score without writing every relevant piece of information. A general answer that addresses the question with a limited number of specifics will get a good score. Additional details may improve your score, but the basic principles are the most important elements for a good score. BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE OBVIOUS; MOST POINTS ARE EARNED FOR THE B ASICS !