TIPS FOR WRITNG SUCCESSFUL FRQ’S

1. TIPS FOR WRITNG SUCCESSFUL FRQ’S AP Biology

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 3. Pay close attention to the verbs • The exam writers even bold key verbs and use all-caps to specify quantities. CONTRAST explain GIVE EVIDENCE FOR DESCRIBE describe DISCUSS EXPLAIN GRAPH DEFINE COMPARE CALCULATE

5. 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!

6. 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. 

7. AP BIOLOGY TEST BOOKLET LAY-OUT

8. 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.

9. 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!

10. 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 intopartssuch as a, b, c, & d. • Answer these questions separately, in paragraphs labeled a, b, c, & d accordingly.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 BASICS!