AP Exam-Style Summative
Go early to the Baluarte de Santo Domingo, in the walled city in Cartagena, to save your seat for breathtaking sunset views... something that I did not want to do as a solo traveler and misanthrope.
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Summative task
Summative task
Your first summative assessment will be an APES exam-style assessment. It will include 25 MCQs, with questions presented in the order of how we introduced and covered material in class. It will also include 1 (one) FRQ. The summative is paced for you to have 75 seconds/MCQ and 25 minutes for the FRQ, which is roughly the pace you will have for the official AP exam.
In the official APES exam, there are 80 MCQs and 3 FRQs. Our start-of-class MCQ review has given you a good, general impression of the variety of MCQs asked. This summative will give you a taste for how the AP exam will be.
You have also written a couple of FRQs as they relate to class, for practice. In the official AP exam, you will have three FRQs that assess specific skills.
Question Type 1- Design an investigation accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
Question Type 2- Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
Question Type 3- Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations
All students will have the opportunity to resubmit/retake this first summative without it counting toward your “one retake per semester” since this is the only traditional summative assessment you will receive outside of the semester exams and the May APES exam. In other words, you may retake this summative, and any of the other summatives of your choice.
On the real AP exam, students need to score an average of about 4-5 points on each FRQ to pass the exam, along with a minimum score on the MCQs, to get a passing score. Students who score a minimum of 5 points per drill and/or come during break or OD to improve their formative drill performance will be eligible to resubmit this summative. Students may argue for credit if there are two or more points disagreed with.
FRQ Writing Tips and Tricks
FRQ Writing Tips and Tricks
Always write in complete sentences.
Don’t write more than the question asks for.
If the FRQ asks for two examples, only the first two examples that you write are graded.
If you write more, the graders will read them to check for contradictions, but you will not earn points. Contradictions will take away points.
Introductory sentences or re-stating the question is not necessary. No points removed, but it can take precious time.
Label each section: a. b. ci……. DO NOT write one giant paragraph. Write on the lines and skip lines between sections: a. b. ci……
You can answer out of order—just make sure to label.
Write an economic term ($ or jobs) for an economic question.
You can include labelled diagrams BUT this alone will not get you credit. You must explain the diagram, too, as it pertains to the question.
Answer the question you’re most confident about first. It’s a good idea to read through all of the questions to determine which ones you feel most prepared to answer. Then you can start to solve the questions in a sequence that allows you to perform your best.
Think about what each question is asking. For example, some questions may require you to design an experiment. Others may ask you to develop an argument with examples to support it. Be sure to explain your answer if the question asks you to justify it: don’t just list and identify examples. Carefully craft your answer in response to what is actually being asked in the question prompt.
Keep an eye on your time. Monitor your time carefully. Make sure not to spend too much time on any one question so you’ll have enough time to answer all of them. Don’t waste time restating the question in your answers: that won’t earn points.
Try to solve all parts of a question. Many free-response questions are divided into parts such as (a), (b), (c), and (d), with each part requiring a different response. Credit for each part is awarded independently, so you should attempt to solve each part. For example, you may receive no credit for your answer to part (a), but still receive full credit for part (b), (c), or (d). If the answer to a later part of a question depends on the answer to an earlier part, you may still be able to receive full credit for the later part, even if that earlier answer is wrong.
Be organized. You might want to label your answers according to the part, such as (a), (b), (c), etc. This will help you organize your thoughts and also help make sure that you answer all parts of the question.
Show your work. Show all the steps you took to reach your solution on questions involving calculations. If you do work that you think is incorrect, simply put an “X” through it instead of spending time erasing it completely: crossed-out work won’t be graded. Also be sure to clearly and correctly label all graphs and diagrams.
Use proper units. Include the proper units for each number where appropriate. If you keep track of units as you perform your calculations, it can help ensure that you express answers in terms of the proper units. Depending on the exam question, it is often possible to lose points if the units are wrong or are missing from the answer.
Don’t use the “scattershot” or “laundry list” approach. Don’t write many equations or lists of terms hoping that the correct one will be among them so that you can get partial credit. For questions that ask for two or three examples, only the first two or three will be scored.
APES Exam Format (May 9, 2024)
APES Exam Format (May 9, 2024)
Section I: Multiple Choice
Section I: Multiple Choice
80 Questions | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 60% of Exam Score
Individual questions
Set-based questions
3–4 sets include quantitative data, such as data tables, charts, or graphs. These questions primarily assess DATA ANALYSIS.
3–4 sets include qualitative data or information, such as models, representations, or maps. These questions primarily assess VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS.
2 sets include text-based sources. These questions primarily assess TEXT ANALYSIS.
Section II: Free Response
Section II: Free Response
3 Questions | 1 Hour 10 Minutes | 40% of Exam Score
There are 3 FRQs:
Question 1: Design an investigation accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
Question 2: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data.
Question 3: Analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations
A calculator (four function with square root, scientific, graphing) is permitted on all sections of the exam. The extent of math involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and unit conversions. You will also encounter numerical values expressed in scientific notation. The only formula that you are expected to memorize is percent change (NO/O x 100)
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