1. AP Environmental Science Flo Gullickson How to take the APES Exam Part 3 gullicf@gcsnc.com

2. The Exam
May 1998 – 5,163 students took the first AP Environmental Science exam
In May 2009 – 59,000 students took the APES exam
What is it?
Section I – 100 Multiple Choice Questions with a time limit of 90 minutes
Section II – 4 Free Response Questions with a time limit of 90 minutes
All questions come from the test development committee – 2 years to develop and tested at different universities.

3. Three exams have been released to use for review 1998,2003 & 2008
If you pass the Audit there is a third exam available to you to use.
All Essays except 1998 are on line for you to use
Exams are good to use as pre and post tests

4. May 3,2011 from
8-12AM

5. Effective Instructional Practices
Connect with other professionals
Develop a repertoire of effective teaching resources
Share Activities and Post exam activities
Share effective practices and lessons from with others
Begin to develop an action plan and syllabus

6. The Exam I. Multiple Choice (60%) 100 questions in 90 minutes Breadth
- Thought-provoking, fundamental ideas
- Recall facts/concepts
Guessing
- ¼ point penalty
Released Exams
- three released exams

7. The Exam II. Free Response (40%) 4 Questions in 90 minutes Depth
- 1 data set question
- 2 synthesis/evaluation questions
- 1 document-based question
Test-taking hints
- Students may be asked to plot graphs, predict, describe, identify, discuss, analyze
Score range 1 - 5

8. Common Verbs
Compare: point out similarities and differences, to examine 2 or more objects and consider the likenesses.
Explain: Tell how to do( steps), tell the meaning of or why.. Give reasons for
Describe: to give a picture or account of in words
Discuss: to consider from various points of view

9. What to know about the multiple choice
1/4 point for every wrong answer
No point are subtracted if you leave it blank
It may be to your advantage to guess if you can eliminate at least two
It is not expected that everyone will finish so DO NOT spend too much time on difficult questions
Use your time effectively

10. What to know for the Free Response
Read all four essays first, pick the one you know best and start with that one
DO NOT RESTATE the question
Follow the directions EXACTLY
Underline the key words. If it says two only answer two
Give Clear and Concise answers
Do NOT make lists. You must give the answer in complete sentences
Do NOT use buzz words without an explanation, example- bioaccumulate

11. More on Free Response
Know the common APES language, example- reduce or remediate
Do NOT give up on a question there is a point there for you
Make sure you do all your work in the PINK booklet
Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers
Be aware of “negative” questions such as “ all of the following except”

12. Math Problems Remember NO CALCULATORS
Problems are simple multiplication, division and addition
Show every calculation in the PINK booklet
Do NOT give up because you’re afraid of the math
Read the free response carefully it’s not completely math so there can be points even if you can’t do the math

13. Designing an Experiment
Hypothesis- If…….Then statement.
Example – If the number of gypsy moths increase then the number of acorns will decrease.
Control- Clearly indicate a control and the experiment
Independent and dependent variable-
Independent – the variable that is being changed
Manipulative variable ( pH) What treatment will you apply
dependent - the one that you are testing
Responsive variable ( Frog) What will you measure
Data or description of experiment – describe how you will take data, materials, organism etc. How it will be graphed an analyzed.
State how you will draw a conclusion. Your experiment needs to be at least theoretically possible.
Be consistent throughout.

14. Free Response Graphs
Set up the graph with the independent variable along the x-axis and dependent along the y-axis
Mark off axes in equal increments and label with proper units
Plot points and attempt to sketch in the curve (line)
If more than one curve is plotted, write a label on each curve ( this is better than a legend)
Label each axis
Give your graph an appropriate title( what is it showing)

15. Types of Free Response Data- analysis Document based
Synthesis and evaluation
Lets look at one of each:

16. MAJOR THEMES Biosphere, the living world Cycling of matter Population
Food Agriculture & Soils
Solid Earth
Land & Water Use
Atmosphere/pollution
Water/pollution
Human Health
Energy
Laws & Influential people

17. Hints Follow the directions EXACTLY Blue or Black ball pt. pen ONLY
Complete sentences ONLY
Write clearly and neatly
Look for the buzz words
When asks for two – only first two
Label parts, a-d or e
If you can’t exactly remember a word – give a shot
Read all four essays first

18. General Misconceptions
Niche & Habitat
CO2 & CFC’s
Atmospheric Ozone & Ground level Ozone
Fission & Fusion
Origin of Acids in the Atmosphere,Sulfuric & Nitric acids
Convention & Alternative energy
Passive and Solar energy

19. Become a Reader The Reading 60% College professors, 40% AP teachers
Hierarchy (quality control ensures consistent scoring)
- Readers
- Table leaders
- Question leaders
- Chief reader
No rubric/answer key