AP Exam Strategies
How to
Minimize the Pain
and
Maximize the Points
General Ideas
•
You are well prepared. You have learned a
lot this year.
•
The test(s) will be hard, but do not panic.
Try to stay calm.
•
Look to grab the easy points first. Then go
back to work on the harder things.
Multiple Choice
•
Know your pace.
•
You have 1 min and 17 sec per question.
•
Do not spend 3-4 minutes on 1 question.
•
Look for the approach that will solve the
question quickly.
Multiple Choice
•
Decide upon your strengths and
weaknesses.
•
Know before the exam which questions you
are going to skip 1st pass through.
FOLLOW YOUR PLAN!
•
Multiple choice questions do not necessarily
start easy and get harder.
Multiple Choice
•
If you are unsure of the answer, try to
narrow your choices and then guess.
•
There is no longer a penalty for incorrect
answers.
•
A blank answer will definitely be a zero.
Free Response
•
Know your pace. You have 15 minutes for
each question.
•
Clearly show your work. Be as neat and
complete as you can. Partial credit adds up!
•
If you don’t know how to precisely solve a
problem, simply and succinctly explain your
thinking process to the AP Reader.
Free Response
•
If you don’t get an answer to one part, but
need if for the next. Create a variable and
then insert it into your work in the next
section.
•
Do not write more than one answer. The
AP Readers will grade the one that is
wrong.
Free Response
•
Do not include unnecessary equations and
information.
•
If you write something that is wrong, you
could lose points.
•
Go for as much partial credit as you can get.
Free Response
•
If you make a mistake cross it out.
•
If your work is messy, circle your answer.
•
If you get stuck, move on. Try to get the
easy points first.
Free Response – Lab Questions
•
There may not be a single correct answer.
Several approaches may be valid.
•
Don’t assume you have to use all the stuff
they give you.
•
Don’t over think the problem.