1. The Ap Environmental Science Test
May 2013

2. The ap es exam Understand that the exam is written to be hard. The
The multiple-choice section constitutes 60 percent of the final exam grade. The free-response section makes up the remaining 40 percent. During the exam, you may come across subjects you didn't study during your coursework. Don't worry: The exam is designed to cover a much wider range of subjects than any one class can cover. You need to be familiar with most, not all, of the topics on the course outline to get a passing grade.
Understand that the exam is written to be hard. The
national average for the essay section will be about 50%
correct
Relax and do the best you can.

3. What to Bring
Several sharpened no. 2 pencils (with erasers) for all multiple-choice answer sheets. Black or dark-blue ballpoint pens for free-response questions in most exams. A watch (in case your exam room does not have a clock that you can see easily). Photo I.D.

4. What Not to Bring
Books, compasses, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, or notes. Rulers and straightedges (except as noted above). Scratch paper (notes can be made on portions of the exam booklets). Typewriting equipment, computers (except as noted for students with disabilities) Watches that beep or have an alarm. Portable listening or recording devices -- even with headphones -- or photographic equipment. Beepers, cellular phones, or personal digital assistants (PDAs). Clothing (t-shirts, for example) with subject-related information.

5. Multiple Choice Section
You will have 90 minutes to complete 100 multiple choice questions.The best way to study for the multiple choice is to know the vocabulary. Not sure that you need strategies for multiple choice, but some that have been suggested are:
Strategies:
1) Some believe the easiest questions are at the beginning and end, and suggest doing the first 20 questions then going to number 100 and working backwards.
2) Some suggest going through the test 3 times #1 – do all of the questions you can easily and quickly answer
#2 – go back and work through the more difficult and time consuming
questions, skipping ones that you have no idea.
#3 – go back and make your best guess on the remaining questions
There is NO Penalty for incorrect answers now, so make your best guess and answer all of the questions.

6. 40% of your grade the APES FRQs! 90 Minutes
Each question is graded on a 10‑point scale. The grading rubric is set up to contain slightly more than 10 points (e.g., 11‑13). However, you can only earn a maximum of 10 points on any one question.

7. Keys to Practicing for the FRQs
Know what the key words are in a question. When questions ask the students to "describe," "discuss," or "explain," they should go beyond listing and identifying. List - short concise statements Describe sentences with vocabulary and examples Discuss or explain - elaborate reasoning Carefully read questions and responding appropriately. Students who use outline form, or one- or two-word answers, do not demonstrate the depth of their knowledge.
Students who use outline form, or one- or two-word answers, do not demonstrate the depth of their knowledge, receive few points.

8. FRQ Tips:
Read the questions carefully. Then reread the question. Be sure to answer the question(s) asked and only those questions; and answer all parts of the question. If you are given a choice of parts to answer, choose carefully. Outline the answer to avoid confusion and disorganization. Pay close attention to the verbs used in the directions, such as describe, explain, compare, give evidence for, graph, calculate, etc., and be sure to follow those directions. Thinking ahead helps to avoid scratch outs, asterisks, skipping around and rambling.
Carefully label your diagrams (otherwise they get no points). Place them in the text at the appropriate place, not attached at the end.

9. Write the essay. Outlines and diagrams, no matter how elaborate and accurate, are not essays, and will not get you much credit, if any, by themselves. Exceptions, If you are asked as a part of an essay on a laboratory to calculate a number, this does not require that you write an essay, but be sure to show how you got your answer. Show formulas used, and the values inserted into those formulas. If asked to draw a diagram, be sure to label the components carefully and correctly.
Define and/or explain any terms you use. Say something about each of the important terms that you use. Rarely would the exam ask for a list of buzzwords.
Remember that no detail is too small to be included as long as it is to the point. Be sure to include the obvious ‑ most points are given for the basics anyway.

10. Keep in mind that the free-response questions are usually quite broad
Keep in mind that the free-response questions are usually quite broad. You'll need to demonstrate your reasoning and analytical skills, as well as your ability to synthesize material from several sources into cogent and coherent essays. Show all your work; partial credit is given for partial solutions to problems. If the answer is not correct, you are not likely to receive credit for correct thinking if the person scoring the examination does not see evidence of this process on paper. If you do work that you think is incorrect, simply put an "X" or line through it, instead of spending time erasing it completely.

11. Organize your answers as clearly and neatly as possible, showing the steps you took to reach your solution. If the reader cannot easily follow your reasoning, you are less likely to receive credit for it. Label each section of the essay. Leave space so if you want to come back and add more information later, you can. Many free-response questions are divided into parts such as a, b, c, and d, with each part calling for 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.
Widen your margins a little. This will make the essay easier for most readers to read and grade.

12. It is important to pay attention to units for quantities that have them. If you keep track of units as you do calculations, it can help you express your answers in terms of the proper units. It is possible to lose points if the units are wrong or are missing from the answer. You should not use the "scattershot" approach: i.e., write a bunch of equations hoping that the correct one will be among them so that you can get partial credit. In such cases, faculty consultants may well deduct points for the extraneous or incorrect information.

13. Also Important to remember
1) Know what the verbage is asking - Identify (1 sent) vs Describe (either longer sentence or 2 sentences vs Explain, Analyze (3 sent) 2) Know the difference between environmental and economical (and NEVER mention humans or money when talking about environmental!!!) 3) Remember basic multiple choice strategies (if question is asking about air pollutant, you can rule out a water pollutant if it is an answer choice), pay attention for least/except

14. General Guidelines…
In general, make sure that you read the question and answer each part— no points can be awarded if you don’t address an issue
This is NOT the same as an AP English FRQ
Don’t spend too much time on any one part of a question. Remember, to earn 10 points you must address each part.
Structure your essay like the question (even label which part you are answering).
You need to write in complete, coherent sentences and your writing needs to be legible and large enough for old eyes to interpret!
One word answers/incomplete sentence = no points!
Details = points! Use appropriate language and cite specific examples when appropriate.
You may be asked to cite specific environmental laws

15. You’ll have 90 minutes for 4 FRQ’s
That’s about 22 minutes for each question.

16. The APES exam Usually has 4 Types of FRQ’s
1. Document-Based: you read & respond to an article
Read the entire article, underline key facts. Answer with timely information—an event that has happened in the past few years. Cite specific examples if possible and expand upon these ideas
This type of question often has a debate portion – present pros and cons for your points
2. Data Analysis: you interpret a table or graph
Look for patterns and trends
Think scientific method—you may have to design or critique an experiment, analyze data, interpret results, etc. If it is a lab that you don’t recognize—don’t panic! You do have lab skills, just think about the situation and what you would need to measure, collect, report, etc…

17. 3. Synthesis & Evaluation type 1
One of these will be mathematical –you can do math without a calculator! Be sure to show all of your work in a logical way that can be followed easily. Use units!
No double-jeopardy (partial credit for multi-step Q’s)
No working = NO POINTS
4. Synthesis & Evaluation type 2
One of these will be a regular essay – you will be asked to analyze and evaluate something in-depth
Provide examples

18. Some other “tips”… Answer the questions in this order:
1. Data Analysis
2. Document-Based
3. S&E (essay emphasis)
4. S&E (math emphasis)
If you are asked for “1” example, only your first response will be graded
Learn the following terms:
Environmental Consequence
Economic Consequence
Societal/Human Health Consequence
Government/NG/Agency “Actions”

19. Key Terms to watch for and consider:
Environmental Consequences
Specific Animals/Plants/Ecosystem/Abiotic factors
NOT human health effects…
Economic Consequences
Money or Jobs
Societal/Human Health Consequences
People, Society, Toxicity
Government/Agency “Actions”
Enforce, regulate, tax, educate, fine…

20. If you are going to include a graph use the following guidlines: 1
If you are going to include a graph use the following guidlines: 1. set up the graph with the independent variable along the x‑axis and the dependent variable along the y‑axis 2. mark off axes in equal (proportional) increments and label with proper units 3. plot points and attempt to sketch in the curve (line) 4. if more than one curve is plotted, write a label on each curve (this is better than a legend) 5. label each axis 6. give your graph an appropriate title (what is it showing?)

21. Sound “Scientific”! Use specific environmental vocabulary
Avoid generalism
Ex. “…the pH affects biodiversity” (what pH?, HOW…?)
Avoid scaremongering & gobbledigook…
Ex. “…the air pollution will destroy all life forms and the planet will die…”
No matter how difficult the question is, try to think of something scientific and specific to write
Pollution is bad, it kills stuff".
Great, but what kind of pollution? How is it bad - what
does it target (neurotoxin, teratogen, mutagen, etc.)?
What "stuff" does it kill?

22. Things Not To Do:
Do not waste time on background information or a long introduction unless the questions calls for historical development or historical significance. Answer the question. Don't ramble. Get top the point; don't shoot the bull. Say what you know and go on to the next question. You can always come back later and add information if you remember something. Don't use felt tip pens. Only use black ball point pens. Felt tip pens leak through the paper and make both sides hard to read. Do not obliterate information you want to delete. One or two lines drawn through the word(s) should be sufficient. Don't write more than a very few words in the margin.
Don't write sloppily. It is easier for the grader to miss an important word when he/she cannot read your handwriting.

23. Don't panic or get angry because you are unfamiliar with the question
Don't panic or get angry because you are unfamiliar with the question. You probably have read or heard something about the subject ‑ be calm and think.
Don't worry about spelling every word perfectly or using exact grammar. These are not a part of the standards the graders use. It is important for you to know, however, that very poor spelling and grammar will hurt your chances.
There is no need to say the same thing twice. While introductory paragraphs may be important in English class, saying, "Process A is controlled by x, y, and z" and then writing a paragraph each on A, X, y, and z is a waste of valuable time. This also goes for restating the question. Don't restate it, just answer it.

24. If given a choice of two or three topics to write about, understand that only the first one(s) you write about will count. You must make a choice and stick with it. If you decide that your first choice was a bad one, then cross out that part of the answer so the reader knows clearly which part you wish to be considered for credit.
Don't leave questions blank. Remember that each point you earn on an essay question is the equivalent of two correct multiple choice questions, and there is no penalty for a wrong guess, bad spelling or bad grammar. Make an effort on every question!
Don't Quit!

25. In summary: If they can't read it, they can't grade it.
Get to the point Be concise Be precise.
Don't waste time adding any additional information. Credit is only given for information requested.
Give examples whenever you can, but still be concise.
You cannot list items in an outline form. Use normal sentence structure to give a list of items.  
If they can't read it,
they can't grade it.