AP Free Response Strategies

General Suggestions:

1. Answer all parts of the essay. Each section usually has a,b,c and d parts. To get

all of the points you MUST answer all the sections. If the question is worth 10 points answering only a and b doesn't allow for a high score since there is a maximum point score for each sub-section.

2.. Give specific information with details-names, description of processes, structures, etc. You don't have to give an encyclopedic response they have a list of responses they are looking for. Make your point, explain or describe it and move on.

3. Don't spend all your time on one or two essays your goal is to answer all of them.

4. You are not penalized for incorrect statements. For example if you say ozone produces acid rain when it of course is SOx orNOx that contributes they don't take points away for the incorrect statement on ozone.

5. Grammar and spelling don't count against you. Thank Goodness!

6. Pay attention to the direction(s):

Discuss.- means to consider or examine the aspects of the subject or problem presented.

Describe-means to characterize (give an account) in words of the process give the precise meaning.

Explain-similar to describe; usually is about a set of facts or a scenario that you are asked to provide a clear and lucent explanation for.

Compare/Contrast- Compare means two or more with emphasis on similarities while contrast has the emphasis on the differences.

Design- write out the experimental procedure.

Calculate- perform the mathematics/calculations. Pay attention to units!

Graph - Using the data make a graph and label it.

Strategies-

1. The responses are made up by professors and teachers from allover .They use different books, teach at different places and have similar ideas. Your response will most certainly have been already considered by these people. They are looking for your answer to match what is on their list.

2. The rubric that they use has many more correct responses than they require. You don't have to give them every possibility.

3. They can not take away points because of a mistatement.

4. They can not give you bonus points. What this means is if part a is worth 4 points they can not give you 5 or 6. Each section has a maximum point value.

5. Try to provide a balanced response by answering all sections. Don't answer a, b and c and skip d unless you really don't know anything about d.

6. Attempt to make at least 10 statements of specific information that you back up with a clear and concise essay.