AP Environmental Science Flo Gullickson How to take the APES Exam Part 3 gullicf@gcsnc

1. AP Environmental ScienceFlo GullicksonHow to take the APES ExamPart 3gullicf@gcsnc.com

2. The Exam • May 1998 – 5,163 students took the first AP Environmental Science exam • In May 2009 – 59,000 students took the APES exam • What is it? • Section I – 100 Multiple Choice Questions with a time limit of 90 minutes • Section II – 4 Free Response Questions with a time limit of 90 minutes • All questions come from the test development committee – 2 years to develop and tested at different universities.

3. Three exams have been released to use for review 1998,2003 & 2008 • If you pass the Audit there is a third exam available to you to use. • All Essays except 1998 are on line for you to use • Exams are good to use as pre and post tests

4. May 3,2011 from 8-12AM

5. Effective Instructional Practices • Connect with other professionals • Develop a repertoire of effective teaching resources • Share Activities and Post exam activities • Share effective practices and lessons from with others • Begin to develop an action plan and syllabus

6. The Exam I. Multiple Choice (60%) • 100 questions in 90 minutes • Breadth - Thought-provoking, fundamental ideas - Recall facts/concepts • Guessing - ¼ point penalty • Released Exams - three released exams

7. The Exam II. Free Response (40%) • 4 Questions in 90 minutes • Depth - 1 data set question - 2 synthesis/evaluation questions - 1 document-based question • Test-taking hints - Students may be asked to plot graphs, predict, describe, identify, discuss, analyze • Score range 1 - 5

8. Common Verbs • Compare: point out similarities and differences, to examine 2 or more objects and consider the likenesses. • Explain: Tell how to do( steps), tell the meaning of or why.. Give reasons for • Describe: to give a picture or account of in words • Discuss: to consider from various points of view

9. What to know about the multiple choice • 1/4 point for every wrong answer • No point are subtracted if you leave it blank • It may be to your advantage to guess if you can eliminate at least two • It is not expected that everyone will finish so DO NOT spend too much time on difficult questions • Use your time effectively

10. What to know for the Free Response • Read all four essays first, pick the one you know best and start with that one • DO NOT RESTATE the question • Follow the directions EXACTLY • Underline the key words. If it says two only answer two • Give Clear and Concise answers • Do NOT make lists. You must give the answer in complete sentences • Do NOT use buzz words without an explanation, example- bioaccumulate

11. More on Free Response • Know the common APES language, example- reduce or remediate • Do NOT give up on a question there is a point there for you • Make sure you do all your work in the PINK booklet • Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers • Be aware of “negative” questions such as “ all of the following except”

12. Math Problems • Remember NO CALCULATORS • Problems are simple multiplication, division and addition • Show every calculation in the PINK booklet • Do NOT give up because you’re afraid of the math • Read the free response carefully it’s not completely math so there can be points even if you can’t do the math

13. Designing an Experiment • Hypothesis- If…….Then statement. • Example – If the number of gypsy moths increase then the number of acorns will decrease. • Control- Clearly indicate a control and the experiment • Independent and dependent variable- • Independent – the variable that is being changed • Manipulative variable ( pH) What treatment will you apply • dependent - the one that you are testing • Responsive variable ( Frog) What will you measure • Data or description of experiment – describe how you will take data, materials, organism etc. How it will be graphed an analyzed. • State how you will draw a conclusion. Your experiment needs to be at least theoretically possible. • Be consistent throughout.

14. Free Response Graphs • Set up the graph with the independent variable along the x-axis and dependent along the y-axis • Mark off axes in equal increments and label with proper units • Plot points and attempt to sketch in the curve (line) • If more than one curve is plotted, write a label on each curve ( this is better than a legend) • Label each axis • Give your graph an appropriate title( what is it showing)

15. Types of Free Response • Data- analysis • Document based • Synthesis and evaluation • Lets look at one of each:

16. Biosphere, the living world Cycling of matter Population Food Agriculture & Soils Solid Earth Land & Water Use Atmosphere/pollution Water/pollution Human Health Energy Laws & Influential people MAJOR THEMES

17. Hints • Follow the directions EXACTLY • Blue or Black ball pt. pen ONLY • Complete sentences ONLY • Write clearly and neatly • Look for the buzz words • When asks for two – only first two • Label parts, a-d or e • If you can’t exactly remember a word – give a shot • Read all four essays first

18. General Misconceptions • Niche & Habitat • CO2 & CFC’s • Atmospheric Ozone & Ground level Ozone • Fission & Fusion • Origin of Acids in the Atmosphere,Sulfuric & Nitric acids • Convention & Alternative energy • Passive and Solar energy

19. Become a Reader The Reading • 60% College professors, 40% AP teachers • Hierarchy (quality control ensures consistent scoring) - Readers - Table leaders - Question leaders - Chief reader • No rubric/answer key