Ever wanted advice from someone who already took the AP exam? Well you’re in the right place.
Mona Matsuda April 6 2019 6:46 PM PST Study Resources
AP Statistics is an Advanced Placement course. This course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics. An important thing to understand about this course is that it isn’t just for people wanting to pursue a STEM Major in College. It’s also for people interested in other majors that involve statistics such as Business, Criminology, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Information Science, Psychology, Public Administration, etc. For a list of majors and career areas applicable to AP Statistics, check out Career Areas and College Majors for AP Statistics.
So why should anyone take this course? Well, taking AP Statistics allows you to develop essential skills like hypothesis testing and statistical data management. Depending on how you do on this test, you might even be able to skip a semester-long college level statistics course.
This course explores four main topic areas:
1. Identifying the important characteristics of the analysis of the data shown numerically and graphically.
2. Data collection based on a well-developed plan.
3. Use of probability based on the distribution of data under a given model.
4. Statistical inference guiding the selection of appropriate models.
For the AP exam, make sure that you understand these topic areas really well so that you are fully prepared.
About the exam
The AP exam is about 3 hours long and has 2 sections. The first section has 40 multiple choice questions in the time period of 1 hour and 30 minutes. This portion of the test is about 50% of the total exam score. The second section has 6 free response problems under the given time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, making up 50% of the exam score. Students are even allowed a graphing calculator on the test.
Studying for the class
Students in the class often took notes from the AP Statistics book they were given at the beginning of the year (might vary depending on the school you go to) and practicing how to write the free response questions to get a high score is really important as well. To do well in the class, make sure you spend time outside of class to study important statistical concepts and get sufficient practice for tests in class.
Studying for the AP exam
Students who got 5’s on the AP exam tend to spend a lot of time reviewing and practicing concepts.
First, make a study plan that you can follow in preparation for the exam. In your study plan, set goals and deadlines for the chapters you want to review. While setting goals, make sure that your goals are realistic and work with your schedule (taking into account the homework you have for your classes, as well the extracurricular activities that you devote a lot of time to). On weekdays, aim to study for at least 30 minutes each day and for a couple of hours over the weekend.
Next, use other resources to review content that your class might not have had time to cover.
We suggest exploring prep books to prepare for the exam. Some great prep books to try are:
You don’t have to purchase all of these, but we highly recommend trying out at least one other prep book to review content. If buying these books isn't an option for you, check in with your school library or local library and you might find these prep books or similar prep books that help you review content!
Aside from prep books, you can also try free online website courses like Khan Academy to get you ramped up for the exam. As you go through practice problems, make sure that you review your mistakes and correct them because that is the best way you can review content. If you review your mistakes, you are less likely to make those mistakes on the AP exam!
As you prepare for the AP exam, make sure you also take practice tests!
There are tons of practice tests you can take in these prep books and on online websites. By taking a practice exam, you will feel more prepared for the exam because you will get used to sitting down and going through the test. While taking a practice test, make sure you emulate test settings (no distractions, timing the test accurately, etc).
Finally, don’t forget to give yourself breaks!
It is incredibly important that you take breaks so that your brain has time to absorb information. A lot of people use the Pomodoro method to help them figure out their studying schedule so that it includes breaks. Make sure you don’t work for hours on end and that you get enough time to relax as well. During your breaks, you can take a walk outside or take a quick nap-- anything that helps you take your mind relax!
Good luck on preparing for the AP Statistics Exam!
Sources:
Figure 1:
Goir Gross.jpg, iStock.com/goir
Apcentral.collegeboard.org. (2019). [online] Available at:
Comentarios