AP Exam
The 3 Most important things to know about the ap exam
The AP test is literally Hell… Just imagine, +3 hours of constant advanced standardized reading and writing testing. Ya, I know what you’re thinking… “Kill me now”. But guys hear me out, there is ways to make this process bearable. Plus if it means you can save an upward of thousands of dollars in college
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english classes, then the test may be worth taking. There are three components of preparing for the test that are vital to know about. Knowing the in’s and out’s of the multiple choice test, writing portion, and test prep make test takers more prepared- in essence making the test less of a surprise for students on May 3rd. Knowing this information vastly made the test seem like less of a beast, making taking the test more enjoyable. Here are the three most essential things to know about, before taking the AP exam.
1. Multiple choice
The multiple choice test, also known as section one, is comprised of 55 multiple choice questions. All questions are based off of reading excerpts that students read prior to answering the questions. There are 5 passages, and 12-15 question per passage. This portion of the test counts for 45% of your overall grade. You have exactly one hour to complete this portion of the test. Before attacking the multiple choice, it is essential to know the following strategies and tips to apply while practicing and/or taking the actual test.
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These help with comprehension of the question and passage. (In essence your brain sorts through the information, making answering the questions easier).
- ANNOTATE THE QUESTIONS AND TEXT!
- Read the title.
- If the wording of a question is tricky, process of elimination is helpful.
- Read the lines above and below the “required lines”
- Recognizing the POV, perspective/persona in the passage is important.
- Reread parts of the passage you don’t understand.
- Read the related stanzas/chunking.
- Cross out the easy wrong answer.
- Reading question before you read the actual passage allows you to have an idea of what the passage is about.
- Don’t second guess yourself, go with your gut choice.
- Pay attention to * and footnotes.
2. Writing
The writing test, also known as section two, is comprised of 3 free response questions. Two of the free response questions are based of off passages provided by the AP test. The last response is based off a piece of literature you have already read. Your are given two hours to write your 3 free response. This portion of the test counts for 55% of your overall grade.
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Before jumping into the writing, it is essential to know writing and planning techniques for the AP test. This prepares you for the test and helps you utilize the most of your time. Here are some pertinent strategies to use while practicing for and taking the AP test. These strategies and tips that will give you structure and make the writing portion easier to complete.
- Lots of quotes that are well integrated (use “losta sauce”/short quotes vs. long).
- Use quotes in every body paragraph.
- Use good, well balanced diction (revisions!)
- 4-6 paragraph but NO “5 paragraph essay cliché structure and layout”.
- Revise for 5 or so minutes after you finish.
- Intro: Intro the literature, the author, and give a claim. SHORT and SWEET.
- You do not need line numbers following your quotes.
- Highlight and annotate the prompt and the reading.
3. Practice
Guys it’s pretty simple… PRACTICE, PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE. Ya I know the last thing someone wants to do in their free time is practice, but the best way to not feel overwhelmed on test day is to practice. It’s common knowledge the more you do something, the better you become at it. Below are some listed strategies and tips to help practice.
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- Look up words you find on practice tests, and learn the vocab.
- Take the online programs on college board.
- When taking practice tests, practice the strategies you plan on using for the real test.
- Study the prompt and responses that go perfect scores. (know what the AP readers are looking for).
- Take practice test religiously, so you can see your growth overtime.
- Set goals, and work to achieve them. (Find out what scores the college you desire to go to requires.)
- Take practice tests, and learn from your mistakes! (log all of your practices along with the scores. And every time try and improve on a certain skill.)
Don’t believe me??? Haha I wouldn’t either!
I have evidence. The first round of pictures show my planning and preparation at the beginning of the year. (Before I knew about the strategies.) I received a 3 on my writing and a 30% on my multiple choice.
I have evidence. The first round of pictures show my planning and preparation at the beginning of the year. (Before I knew about the strategies.) I received a 3 on my writing and a 30% on my multiple choice.
Now flash forward to the tests I took at the end of the year. It is evident I spent a lot more time on planning, and I am much more organized. I received a 6 on my writing and a 61% on my multiple choice.
Hopefully you learned a few things about this terrible terrible test. Maybe some of the things we covered will make your experience more bearable.