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Multiple Choice- One AP Teacher says: NO CALCULATORS ALLOWED
“I give a couple of released AP MC exams as practice, then review them with
the students. I advise them to avoid depending on review book multiple choice
questions since they are not authentic and may mislead them.
3. I advise my students NOT to guess. By that I mean if they have no idea what
the question is about they should leave it alone. If they think they know the
answer, I suggest to them that somewhere in their subconscious memory bank they
probably know the correct answer and should heed that. But, the folks that
write the MC are very good at providing effective distracters; I call them
"sucker answers"; and not to be taken in by these.
4. If they feel that they know the answer, but can't find the correct answer
they are looking for they should reread the question and try to look at it from
a different perspective - they probably have misread it. “
The test will be:
Biology Exam Format
100 multiple choice ( 80 minutes ) no calculators permitted
4 open response ( 10 minute reading/planning ) 90 minutes writing = ( 22 min/essay ) in blue or black ink
Scoring
To make a long answer short, there is not a clear cut relationship between % score and number score on AP test, but a
multiple choice section with 67% correct is likely to get a 3 or higher.
To determine a total score use the following formula:
The newer tests (only 100 MC), a perfect test on the basis of 150 pts maximum should look something like
(100 pts MC )x (.90) + (40 pts on 4 open response )x(1.5) = 150 maximum with 60% of the points come from MC and 40% coming from open response
Calculate MC part of exam, using 100 questions
= ( # correct - # wrong x.25 ) x.60
Labs
“be sure to work through all the labs on the Lab Bench at Biology.com.”
Open Response Essays
From Mrs. Carlson's A.P. Essay Writing Hints 2004
Beginning in 2004, a ten-minute reading period will be given to students to
allow time for preparing to write comprehensive essays. Students are
encouraged to use this time to outline their answer on the green question
sheet. Please note that any writing on the green sheet will not be graded.
Only the answers written in the essay booklet will be graded. After the
ten-minute reading period, ninety minutes will be allowed for you to answer
all four essay questions. When you open the actual exam booklet, you will
find the questions printed in the booklet. Write the answers in the booklet
after each of the printed questions.
1. Answer only what is asked. Carefully read each section of the question
and make certain that you are answering the specific question that is being
asked. No points are given for restating the question or extra information
that is unrelated to the question.
2. Write complete sentence answers. (No credit is given for outlines)
3. Pay special attention to numbers in the question.
Ex. Give three examples of homeostasis in living systems.
Extra examples beyond three receive no extra credit. Only the first three
examples will be considered for grading. It is important that students
follow through with the examples if asked to continue discussions in part B
and C. When starting this question on homeostasis, the term should be defined.
4. The present exam requires that four essays be answered. Each exam
question will be rated the same, however within an exam question; sections
will be weighted differently.
Ex. If a question has three parts A. B. and C., the value of each section
can differ.
5. Lab-based questions may require creating graphs or charts. It is
important to properly label the graph or chart with a title and also label
the axes of graphs with correct labels including units of measurements.
6. Experimental design questions must be answered with attention to the
rules of the scientific method:
a clearly defined testable hypothesis
a controlled experiment with a description of the control and the fact that
there is only one variable being tested in the experimental design
many subjects should be included in the sample sizes- never just one
a clear description or what is to be measured, how it is to be measured and
how frequently observations and measurements will be made (bubbles/ min for10 minutes)
an explanation of how data will be analyzed if appropriate
the need for repetition of the experiment to prove results or the need for
revision of the hypothesis
7. Students are encouraged to write clearly using black or blue pen. If
student¹s penmanship is hard to read they can print if it is easier to read.
Write large enough for the reader to be able to read what you have written.
8. It is easier for the grader if students answer the question sections in
order, labeling each section. Ex. 1A, 1B, 1C.
9. It is suggested that students allocate sufficient time (22 minutes) for
each of the four essay answers. Bringing a watch into the exam setting may
be helpful to student¹s time management. Students may go back during the
essay writing section if time allows to add more information to their answer
but they are encouraged to write succinctly and use their time carefully to
answer all sections of each of the four questions. Remember that writing
outlines on the green question sheets will give you no points as green
When Writing AP Biology Essay Answers...
1. Carefully read the question 2 - 3 times.
2. Brainstorm and outline the answer to avoid confusion and disorganization. Thinking ahead helps to avoid scratchouts, asterisks, skipping around, and rambling. Final answers cannot be in outline form.
3. Pay attention to catchwords such as compare...cycle...mechanism...describe...explain...give evidence
for...graph...calculate
4. Define the terms you use. When using terms and definitions, use examples to illustrate.
5. Answer the question parts in order called for, separating each section. It is best not to skip around. Make your points easy to find.
6. Write clearly and neatly. Unless the handwriting is very good, small writing is a pain to read. Make your points easy to find.
7. Go into detail but stick to the point. Be succinct and answer all parts of the question thoroughly. Rambling is not encouraged. Make your points easy to find.
8. No poetic prose! No introduction or conclusion! Make your points easy to find.
9. When using terms and definitions, use examples to illustrate.
10. If you cannot remember a word exactly, take a shot at it - get as close as you can. If you don't have a name for a concept, describe the concept.
11. Most points are earned for basic information, information you probably learned in your introductory high school biology class.
12. Use a black ballpoint pen. Make your points easy to find.
13. Remember that no detail is too small to be included as long as it is to the point.
14. Carefully label your diagrams (they get no points otherwise) and place them in the text at the appropriate place - not detached at the end. Make your points easy to find.
15. Bring a watch to the exam so that you can pace yourself. You have four essays with about 22 minutes for each essay.
16. If you are given a choice of 2-3 or 3-4 topics, do not do extra. Only the required writing is graded and in the order written.
17. Points are not subtracted for incorrect information, but no points are awarded for contradictory information.
18. Grammar and spelling are moot, so long as phonetically accurate. But, do not make the reader work harder than necessary. Make your points easy to find.
19. ANSWER something for ALL QUESTIONS/ALL SECTIONS
20. Understanding that the exam is written to be hard - the average will be about 50%. It is very likely that you will not know everything, so relax and write thorough answers.
When Writing AP Biology Essay Answers DON'T...
· waste time on background information unless the question calls for
historical development or historical significance. Answer the question.
· shoot the bull - say what you know and go on to the next question.
You can always come back if you remember something. Make your points easy
to find.
DON’ T
· panic or get angry because you are unfamiliar with the question.
You probably have read or heard something about the question - be calm and
think
· scratch out excessively. One or two lines through the unwanted
word(s) should be sufficient.
· write more than a very few words in the margin.
· LEAVE A QUESTION BLANK!\
· restate the question. This earns no points
10 Things to include if asked to design or describe an experiment:
a) problem statement
b) hypothesis
c) identify independent variable(s) - what treatment(s) you will apply, etc.
d) identify dependent variable(s) - what you will measure
e) identify several variables to be controlled and eliminated (VERY IMPORTANT)
f) describe organism/materials/apparatus to be used
g) describe what you will actually do (how you will apply the treatment)
h) describe how you will obtain and record data
i) describe how you will analyze date (graphs, charts)
j) state your conclusion, hypothetical or otherwise (compare results to hypothesis)
11. Graphs for the experiment you are writing about
a) set up with independent variable along x-axis and dependent along y-axis
b) mark off axis in increments and label with proper units
c) plot points and attempt to sketch in the curve/line
d) if more than one curve/line is plotted, write a label on each or make a key
e) give your graph an appropriate title, using the independent and dependent variables in the title
12. When writing an essay on a lab...
1. Remember the control.
2. Dependent and independent variables.
3. Graph
4. Graph
5. Graph
6. Theoretical data
7. Testable hypothesis – If, then
8. Conclusion based on data