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AP Statistics Exam Tips

AP Statistics Exam Tips. Many thanks to many colleagues for tips Lew Davidson (Dr. D.) Mallard Creek High School. For an electronic copy of this presentation, please email me:. Lewis.Davidson@cms.k12.nc.us Quick questions – call me at home 704-786-0470.

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AP Statistics Exam Tips

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  1. AP Statistics Exam Tips Many thanks to many colleagues for tips Lew Davidson (Dr. D.) Mallard Creek High School

  2. For an electronic copy of this presentation, please email me: Lewis.Davidson@cms.k12.nc.us Quick questions – call me at home 704-786-0470

  3. KNOW YOUR EXAM!12 Years - Questions & Answers https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-statistics/exam-practice Or go to http://www.collegeboard.com • AP (2nd Item, top menu bar) • Get Practice Questions (1st row, right blue box) • Scroll down to AP Statistics

  4. Get Familiar with Exam Format • Look at 2012 Exam - (link on previous slide) • Pages 3 – 5: (both MC and FR)Formulas - understand them! • Pages 14 – 17: (both MC and FR)Tables - understand them! • What do they mean? • How do we use them?

  5. The Multiple Choice Section • WARNING:These comments are based on Dr. D.’s views and are not guarantees. They are “food for thought” to help in making your decision on how to take the exam. Be aware some “gurus” (I am not at that level) suggest other approaches. In the end you must decide what is right for you - it is your test!

  6. Multiple Choice [90 minutes – 40 questions] • Answer every question . (period!!!!!!!) • Do work in the test book and circle answers there – but remember work/answers in the test book are neither graded nor seen! • Only the bubble sheet is graded–That’s It • Only bubble when you are done [Dr. D.’s view] – but leave time to bubble! • TRY to NOT ERASE on the bubble sheet!

  7. Answering Multiple Choice Questions • Know your test – For AP Statistics • No penalties for wrong answers (Answer every one) • One or two questions may make a huge difference in your normalized score! (Your score is based on relative performance) - EVERY ONE QUESTION COUNTS BIG TIME • BubbleBEST ANSWER in the context of the question • Possible: No answer choice may be precisely correct or • Possible: More than one choice may be correct

  8. Answering Multiple Choice Questions • Know your test – For AP Statistics • Often the stem has extraneous information • Often data is given, but there may also be a summary metric which precludes the need for calculations • No HighlightingBUT YOU CAN WRITE IN THE TEST BOOK • Bubble Sheet: Weakly erased answers or stray marks may result in wrong scanned scores – and no one will know it!  That is why you need a super eraser!

  9. Multiple Choice Questions • Cover answer choices (called distracters!): • Do not start calculations until you understand the question • Read (skim if long) the stem of the question • Underline the precise question (usually at the end) [note: Highlighters are not allowed] • Think about the intent of the question (what content is the author trying to find out if you understand) • Reread the stem -- thinking about the precise question and intent • Determine the most likely answer(s)

  10. Multiple Choice Example # 2Page 20 of College Board’s Course Description Under which of the following conditions is it preferable to use stratified random sampling rather than simple random sampling? The population can be divided into: (a) a large number of strata so that each stratum contains only a few individuals (b) a small number of strata so that each stratum contains a large number of individuals (c) strata so that the individuals in each stratum are as much alike as possible (d) strata so that the individuals in each stratum are as different as possible (e) strata of equal sizes so that each individual in the population still has the same chance of being selected

  11. Multiple Choice Example #2Page 20 of College Board’s Course Description Under which of the following conditions is it preferable to use stratified random sampling rather than simple random sampling?

  12. Multiple Choice Example # 2Page 20 of College Board’s Course Description • Under which of the following conditions is it preferable to use stratified random sampling rather than simple random sampling? • So we need to know • what are these 2 types of sampling and how are they different • when it is best to use one or the other

  13. Multiple Choice ExamplePage 20 of College Board’s Course Description Under which of the following conditions is it preferable to use stratified random sampling rather than simple random sampling? The population can be divided into [a]: (a) large number of strata so that each stratum contains only a few individuals (b) small number of strata so that each stratum contains a large number of individuals (c) strata so that the individuals in each stratum are as much alike as possible (d) strata so that the individuals in each stratum are as different as possible (e) strata of equal sizes so that each individual in the population still has the same chance of being selected

  14. Multiple Choice Questions • Compare your answer(s) to the answer choices • Look at each answer choice & mark off those that are clearly impossible choices • Watch out for answers that are part of your solution calculations/considerations but do not answer the precise question • If you are sure of an answer – circle it and move on --- DO NOT BUBBLE ANY ANSWERS AT THIS TIME • If not sure, leave possible choices unmarked (you should designate the answer(s) that seems most likely). Mark this question (On the test only) and return to it later

  15. Multiple Choice Questions • Often as you are doing a test you will get an idea on an earlier problem • DO NOT SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON ONE QUESTION – figure your pace and more on! – for the AP Exam there are 90 minutes for 40 questions • So MOVE ON if a question is not answered in 2 minutes • I understand many kids finish a first pass of the MC test in one hour or so. Thus you probably will have time to go back. (Dr.D.’s view) • Do not bubble at this stage to minimize eraser errors • BUBBLE in the last 10 minutes (WATCH YOUR TIME) .

  16. Multiple Choice Questions #4 (Dr.D.’s view) • DO not pass in your test early – CHECK YOUR ANSWERS • If GUESSING go with your first guess. Only change your first guess if you think of a specific reason to change it • Use a MARS or equivalent eraser • Do not OVERANALYZE the problem. Think of the Intent and go for the BEST not necessarily the PERFECT answer

  17. See College Board Resource • Go to the Course Description link on the College Board link on Slide # 3, then select Course Description to get to:https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/ap-student/course/ap-statistics-2010-course-exam-description.pdf • Study Multiple Choice section: Pages 19 - 26

  18. The Free Response Section First, I share my viewpoints as a complement to the great resources included next from key teachers

  19. The Free Response Section • WARNING:These comments are based on Dr. D.’s views and are not guarantees. They are “food for thought” to help in making your decision on how to take the exam. Be aware some “gurus” (I am not at that level) suggest other approaches. In the end you must decide what is right for you - it is your test!

  20. Free Response Questions • Must move fast & write only what is needed - most kids report not enough time • 1st: Five comprehensive questions (75%) • They usually include different parts of our course • 1st Question: Plan ≤ 10 minutes (often Descriptive) • Next four: average ≈ 12 minutes each 2nd: Investigative Task(25 % of FR Score) • Plan on 25 minutes – Just follow the prompts! • It is best to use bulletsunless sentence(s) or paragraphs are requested

  21. Game Plan • Many say 1st read all questions – Dr. D. disagrees. -- “Not enough time”, I say • Consider this approach • Do Q#1: It is usually the easiest & fastest - 10 Minutes MAXIMUM • Next Do Q#6 – Investigative task, unless you have no idea what to do. Usually, just follow the prompts EXACTLY 30 Minutes MAXIMUM • Next Do Q #2 – # 5 in order: Do or come back • Say what you know-you may get partial credit

  22. Exam booklet Insert • An insert in the exam booklet contains the questions without the answer spaces • Remove it from the exam booklet and use it for reference • No credit is given for anything written on the insert (readers do not see it) • Write answers and all your work for each problem in the pages in the exam booklet!

  23. The Plays – in EXAM Booklet • Glance at last sentence or a), b), etc of answer choices – get a sense of problem • Start reading from the beginning of the question, but for now just scan long scenario descriptions – now you understand the problem • Now read carefully from the start and underline the key facts you need

  24. Free Response Scoring • 1st Readers check for specific attributes specified in the rubrics (0 – 4 points total) • Then Readers holistically consider your demonstrated knowledge & set your score • Unlike Multiple Choice: • Partial Credit is granted! • There are no penalties for wrong answers

  25. Free Response Ideas • Readers “are on your side” and record points based on work shown • Write what you best know on the topic • Some work can earn Partial Credit • Note: Blank = zero! • NO “alternate solutions”  give it your best shot! (if 2 solutions, your worst one is scored so cross out worst comments!

  26. Readers must read & understand • Be legible! (Dark pencil or pen) • Write in good sentences! • Show a logical flow! • Clearly show your work and answer! • Use standard statistical jargon! • The answer space provided has plenty of room for what is expected – use it as a guide for the maximum answer length • Often only some of the space is needed!

  27. See College Board Resource • Go to the Exam Practice College Board link on Slide # 3, (see each year’s questions at bottom and select Course Description to get to:https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/ap-student/course/ap-statistics-2010-course-exam-description.pdf • Study Free Response Questions section: Pages 27 - 34

  28. Answers for FR Practice • At the bottom of the College Board resource link page (Slide # 3 of this presentation) select the Free Response Questions for year 2001 • Note The question #’s for the pg 27-34 questions in the course description correspond to the 2001 question numbers (Follow links to see the answers)

  29. Misc – But Important • You can bring two calculators to the exam • You can bring extra batteries - DO IT! • Bring at least two sharp # 2 Pencils • Bring a super eraser! -- Note if the scanner can’t read one of your answers, you will not know it! • Have “Catalog Help” on your TI 83 or 84 • Know how to activate “Catalog Help” and “Diagnostics On”

  30. AP Statistics Exam Tips2012 Edition Daren Starnes The Lawrenceville School dstarnes@lawrenceville.org BFW Publishers May 3, 2012

  31. #1. Get Prepared! • Do released AP Exam MC and FR questions • Do practice questions from other sources • Stats 4 Stemhttp://www.stats4stem.org/index.html • AP Statistics Review books • Cumulative AP Practice Tests in TPS 4e • Review Formulas and Tables for AP Exam • Review inference procedures • http://www.ltcconline.net/greenl/java/Statistics/catStatProb/categorizingStatProblems12.html • Inference summary from TPS 4e endpapers

  32. #2: Be a smart test taker! • General • Get a good night’s sleep • Review TPS 4e Appendix A AP Exam Tips • Eat a healthy lunch • Check that your calculator is working • Multiple choice section • Answer all the questions (no guessing penalty) • Cover up answers while reading the stem • Free response section • Don’t run out of time before Question 6!! • Start with questions you feel confident about • Use bullets and outlines rather than complete sentences whenever possible

  33. #3: Use technology wisely • Don’t type in data just because it’s there! • On inference questions, use STAT TESTS for calculations. Only show formulas with values subbed in for partial credit if you get the same answer! • Calculator speak = no full credit (1) Binompdf(12,.2,3) = no full credit Better: P(X = 3) = (12C3)(0.2)3(0.8)9 Minimal: binompdf with n = 12, p = .2, k = 3 (2) Normalcdf(90,105,100,5) = no full credit Better: Find z score. Then draw, label, shade Normal curve Minimal: normalcdf with lower bound = 90, upper bound = 1-5, mean = 100, std. dev. = 5

  34. #4: Follow the 4-step inference process Starting in 2010, partial credit became available on 4-step rubrics.

  35. #4: Follow the 4-step inference process 2011 Question #4: High Cholesterol 2010 Question #5: Fish tales Remember: Don’t just start typing in the data unless you have a reason to do so!!

  36. #4: Follow the 4-step inference process 2011 Question #4: High Cholesterol RIN TIN TIN http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046576/

  37. #4: Follow the 4-step inference process 2011 Question #4: High Cholesterol

  38. #4: Follow the 4-step inference process 2011 Question #4: High Cholesterol • Now for Step 3: • State the calculator test • Report: • Test Statistic • p-value • df (mean only)

  39. #4: Follow the 4-step inference process • Do not “accept” the null hypothesis!! 2011 Question #4: High Cholesterol

  40. #5: Don’t shoot yourself in the foot! • Misuse of term or notation  mandatory deduction • Putting statistics instead of parameters in hypotheses • Saying there’s confounding when there isn’t • Using experiment language in an observational study Blocking vs. stratified sampling; experiment vs. survey • Advice: • Only use terms and symbols you know • It’s better to explain in your own words than to use a term incorrectly • If you’re unsure about notation, use words instead of symbols

  41. #6: Naked answer = no credit Directions: Show all your work. Indicate clearly the methods you use, because you will be graded on the correctness of your methods as well as on the accuracy and completeness of your results and explanations. 2009, Question #2

  42. #6: Naked answer = no credit 2009, Question #2(a): 70th percentile of stopping distances

  43. #7: If you can’t answer part of a question, don’t assume you can’t answer other parts 2010 Question #4 If needed, make up a reasonable answer for the part you can’t answer…

  44. #8: Know what distribution you’re talking about! 2010 Question #2 Population distribution (lengths of all rock-and-roll songs the station plays) Distribution of sample data (lengths of 40 songs in the sample) Sampling distribution of statistic (e.g. sample means of all song length samples)

  45. #9: Don’t write too much • Answer the question, then STOP! • Space provided is more than enough • The mandatory deduction rule • The parallel solutions rule

  46. #10:RTQ & ATQ!! 2011 Question #1: The Combine

  47. #10:RTQ & ATQ!! 2011 Question #1: The Combine

  48. AP Statistics Exam TipsRecap #1: Get prepared! #2: Be a smart test taker. #3: Use technology wisely #4: Follow the 4-step inference process #5: Don’t shoot yourself in the foot! #6: Naked answer = no credit #7: If you can’t answer part of a question, don’t assume you can’t answer other parts #8: Know what distribution you’re talking about! #9: Don’t write too much! #10:RTQ & ATQ!!

  49. Tips for Writing Free Response Questions on the AP Statistics Exam Laura Trojan Cannon School

  50. Common Topics • Exploratory Data Analysis • One-variable data • Descriptive statistics: Center, Shape, Spread • Two-variable data • Correlation, regression, residual plots, coefficient of determination • Hypothesis Tests • Probability • Experimental Design

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