AP Environmental Science Exam Strategies and Tips
Prepare effectively for the AP Environmental Science test by understanding the format, time management, and strategies for answering multiple-choice questions. Learn how to approach different question types, manage your time efficiently, and maximize your chances of success. Utilize valuable tips such as covering answer choices, pacing yourself, and making educated guesses. Stay focused throughout the exam to achieve a passing score and outperform your peers nationwide.
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To pass the APES test you need to get about half of the questions right. You are competing with all of the other students from across the country. Some of those students will not have enrolled in the APES class they just take the test on a whim. Some will have teachers who don t give test tips like these. You have a very good shot at beating the curve! What you need to pass!
How much time? 90 Minutes to do 100 MC Questions Less than 1 minute / question Bringing a watch is recommended
There will be: Matching Math Graph analysis Chart/table analysis Diagrams Conceptual/Specific topics Experimental design Logistics 25% of test is about pollution Meaning there shouldbe more questions about pollution than any other topic
Logistics (cont.) The first 20 questions are sometimes matching Some consider it to be hardest portion of MC Some skip this and do it later You can write all over the exam packet Make sure your answer gets on bubble sheet You are required to answer questions with pencil
Logistics (cont.) In the beginning of test: First 20-30 questions will seem difficult You will ease into the test and it will become easier towards the middle Towards the end: You may fizzle out -you may rush just so you can finish Don t fizzle out-stay focused the entire time
Before you look at the possible answers: Cover up the choices with your hand. Try to answer the question. Lift your hand, and see which answer, if any, matches most with your answer. That s probably the right one. Strategies Read each question thoroughly watch out for words like EXCEPT , or IS NOT in the question.
Do not rush. Make sure you consider your options and you comprehend each question. Circle questions you want to go back to. Make your best guess. If you have time at the end of the test, then you can put more thought into it. Strategies
Make sure you look for key words that can narrow down your answers. Examples: -CERCLA: Superfund, toxic waste management -Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: Cradle to grave Strategies Eliminate all incorrect answers.
Double check if you have time in the end. There is no penalty for guessing. If you eliminate two answers that make no sense, there is a 33% chance you will get it right. Strategies
Strategies Your gut feeling isn t always the right answer. Don t go with your gut if you have second doubts WHY did I choose this answer over that one? Use common sense
APES Exam-Free Response Questions (FRQs)
90 Minutes to do 4 FRQs Approximately 22 minutes/ FRQ Bringing a watch is recommended Prioritize! You don t have to do these in order. Go from easiest to hardest! If you like the math question, do it first! Hate it? Save it for last! The order of the type of questions is generally: 1.Document-based, 2.Some sort of math, 3.Typical APES, 4.Fairly easy question (usually analyzing a graph or chart ) How much time?
The graders work really hard for you! Make their job easier by using your best handwriting! Clearly label each part of each question! There could be eight or more separate things to answer. Label them A, B, C, etc.! The graders grade the same question (day in and day out) for 9 straight days, eight hours a day. You don t want them to have to hunt for your answers! Make the graders happy!
FRQ 1 is typically a Document Based Question (DBQ). You will get a made up article and you will have to answer questions related to that article. This question is thought to be one of the easier ones. Don t worry too much about perfectly written sentences, but be sure to complete your thought (there are no grammar police here!) Logistics
FRQ 2 is typically the math FRQ It can be one of the harder ones (but not all the time sometimes the math can be easier) Some people like to do this question last. Show all of your work on the math, no matter how simple it seems! Why? If you just say 400, you get one point, but if you say 1 X 400=400, you get two points! Crazy, I know, but you want those points, right? Always put your units every time! Logistics (cont.)
FRQ 2 is typically the math FRQ Logistics (cont.) If they ask you to make a graph Get happy! Why? Because most people choke on these and because you know the tricks to getting the points! Graph tricks: 1. Create a descriptive title, 2. Label each axis with what you are measuring and units! (Time usually goes on the x axis), 3. Then draw your graph! (Not sure if your graph is right? Don t worry, even if it is not exactly right you can earn points for the first two tricks!) When in doubt, do a scatter graph! It is harder to find fault with a scatter graph!
FRQ 3 is typically your average FRQ It goes by very fast, if you really know the concept being focused on Some people like to do this question first. If they ask you about a system, break it down by imput and output . Diagrams are great! (Just be sure to explain them!) If designing an experiment, be sure to use the chart for independent variable, things held constant, and dependent variable Independent variable Held constant Dependent variable Amount tablet water, container height achieved Logistics (cont.)
Logistics (cont.) FRQ 4 is probably the easiest. It typically involves analyzing a graph or a chart of some sort It is either analysis or an average FRQ like FRQ 3 This question is one of the easier ones Some people also like to do this first
Understanding the Question what do they want? If the question has this word, they want you to Identify -1 sentence Just name the answer Describe/ discuss/ explain -3-4 sentences Connect the dots-keep explaining why you wrote your answer until you cannot write any more Write like you are talking to a fourth grader
If they mention this buzzword, they want this kind of answer Environmental Impact - Do NOT write about humans. Talk about the biosphere, the atmosphere, the geosphere, and hydrosphere only Economic Impact -This is NOT about the environment. Talk about businesses, tourism, trade, money, law of supply and demand, etc. Do not talk about animals, the atmosphere, humans (in a societal/ health context), etc. If they ask about the different kinds of Impacts What to say and what not to say
Impacts continued What to say and what not to say Societal Impact -Talk about humans and ONLY humans! How the topic can impact a culture, for example Don t mention the economy or human health Human health Impact -Talk about how this impacts the health of the average human being Do not mention culture, economic interests
Impacts continued Be sure to mention Human impacts on biodiversity Talk about habitat loss; pollution; overharvesting/overhunting, etc. Look in your text book and know the ways that humans have impacted biodiversity Propose an action the government can take to . Talk about taxes, legislation, education to the public Make sure you are specific
Make sure you are VERY familiar with experimental design Know how to identify/ form a (n): hypothesis, control group, experiment, and conclusion. If there is an FRQ asking you to design an experiment, they will ask you for the terms above, if not more terms. Just know your experimental design front and back. Again, if designing an experiment, be sure to use the chart for independent variable, things held constant, and dependent variable Independent variable Held constant Dependent variable Amount fertilizer Soil, water, light Growth achieved Hints/Tips
Hints/Tips Write in complete sentences. But if you are running out of time, you should probably bullet/list. You will have to write the exam in pen. Try to practice writing in pen. Read the whole FRQ before you begin to answer the question. Sometimes, something in part D could spark a memory about something in part B where you were stuck.
Hints/Tips If you have to scratch/remove statements you wrote, put a single line through your word/sentence/paragraph. They will not score what you have put a line through.
Hints/Tips Read the question twice. Be sure to underline key words. Do not restate the question. Get straight to the point.
Hints/Tips You should generally know the pros/cons dealing with different energy generating techniques. If they ask for 2 examples, they will only score the first 2 you give. So make sure they are the best examples. Don t waste your time and write more than 2.
Hints/Tips Write as neatly as you can. Try to get on the readers good side. Go for the OBVIOUS answers. Remember, you will only get points if it is on the answer key, so if you make up some wacky explanation, you aren t impressing anyone.
Hints/Tips You do not have to go in order. You can do (b) (ii), (b) (i), (a), (d), (c), just LABEL which answer is which CLEARLY. Diagrams ARE allowed! Just make sure you EXPLAIN your diagrams.
Hints/Tips If you aren t sure of an answer, try to think of something else. If you can t think of an answer you are 100% sure of, then make an educated guess. You never know; it may be valid. Just don t bet any money on it. Remember-you can answer FRQs in any order you want to. If there is an FRQ with your stronger concepts, just do that one first!
Hints/Tips If you have time, read over your FRQ s in the end. Double check the ones you felt like you struggled with the most. Proofread your essay if you have extra time. Some things that you put down could have been wrong or not what they asked for. Reading will give you a chance to fix your mistakes and cross out wrong answers.
Hints/Tips Include the obvious. Example: "Light is necessary for photosynthesis." Understand that the test is meant to be hard. Do not freak out if there is a term that you forgot. Do the best to work around it and put down what you know.
Hints/Tips Don't ramble. Put down the answer and move on. You can come back at the end to add things. Try not to repeat. It wastes time.
Hints/Tips Don't get hung up with grammar and spelling. Realize that readers must know what you wrote so try the best you can to spell the word. Don't add unneeded information. You will only get credit for the information requested.
Hints/Tips When and how to study for the FRQs- On a weekend fairly close to the exam, just look at the answer keys to the old FRQs on the College Board website. It sounds tedious, and it is but, you never know when they will repeat a question. Plus, it is a nice review of different topics. The FRQs will be 10 times easier if you are familiar with the older ones. True story.
Use scientific notation if the answer is really large or really small. Make sure your answer has units. Show every step of your work. For those that did the work in their heads, still write down the process! Points can be given for work if the answer is wrong. If you can t get the answer to the first part of a math question, but you do know how to work the second part, use your tentative answer to the first part to do the second part. You may get a point for what you have done. Math Hints
Math Hints When plotting graphs, do not forget about the title and to label the axis. If it deals with changes over time, it is most likely a line graph.
Dont write vague statements like this Pollution is bad. What NOT to write It hurts the environment. It hurts biodiversity. BE VERY SPECIFIC! It causes air pollution. It kills the animals. It hurts people. It is bad for you. It is bad for businesses. Stop using fossil fuels.
To access the old FRQ answer key, you need a college board account. It doesn t hurt to make one now, you will need it sooner or later! Copy this website somewhere so you will be able to later: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/a p-environmental-science/exam-practice?envsci College Board website
Good luck! You will do great. =)
