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AP Test-Taking Techniques
USINFO | 2014-01-03 15:26
While the content of the Advanced Placement* tests is very different, the basic format of the tests is very similar. Most questions are multiple choice, and some tests include free response essays. Some of the essays are based on documents or data, but most are not. Some math and science questions require that you show how you reached the answer, but most do not. If you concentrate on the similarities among the tests rather than the differences, you will see that there are some basic test-taking techniques that you can put to good use as you study for and take your AP* tests.
General Test Tips
●Learn the test structure, time period for each section, and directions for each section. Knowing this information has two benefits for you. First, you will know ahead of time what you are expected to do, so you can practice. Second, knowing what kinds of tasks you will need to perform will relieve some of your test anxiety.
●Learn the vocabulary of the subject matter. You will not be able to answer questions if you do not understand what the terms mean. The glossary at the back of your textbooks can be handy study guides.
●Annotate the questions. Circle, bracket, underline, checkmark—in some way highlight the key words in the question. Use these to help you find the right answer choice.
●Use the process of elimination when you are not sure about an answer.Even the College Board suggests that if you are not sure about an answer but can eliminate at least one answer choice as being wrong, guess. Use logic to work your way through the answer choices until, through the process of elimination, you can select one answer as your best "guess."
●Guess if you have to. Part of pacing is moving on when you come to a question that stumps you. But if, when you come back to it, you still are not sure of the answer and hesitate to use the process of elimination, think of these facts: A wrong answer deducts a 1/4 point from your score. A right answer adds a point. You would need to guess wrong four times to lose a whole point.
●Pace yourself; this is a major benefit of practicing for the test. You may be expected to answer 80 multiple-choice questions in 55 minutes and plan and write an essay in 35 minutes. Only by pacing yourself will you be able to come near to accomplishing these tasks. Work out a pacing schedule for yourself. Write it in your test booklet if you have to in order to remind yourself to work steadily and efficiently. It will help keep your anxiety level under control.
●Don't be careless in marking or erasing answers on the answer sheet. In other words, blacken answer ovals completely and erase your changes completely. You have probably heard this every time you have taken a standardized test, but it is true. Multiple-choice tests are scored by machine and the machine is not programmed to deal with pencil marks, only blackened answer ovals.
●If you skip answering a question, circle the question number in the test booklet, not on the answer sheet. The same reason applies; stray marks confuse the machine.
●If you skip a question, be sure you skip the answer line for that question.
Essay Tips
●Choose the order in which you want to write the essays. You do not have to answer the essay questions in the order in which the test preparers listed them. Skim the essay questions quickly and then renumber them 1, 2, etc. Tackle them in that order.
●Use an abbreviated outline form to structure your essay, but do outline it.After you have read the question and highlighted the key words so you know what you are being asked, restate the question to yourself. Then brainstorm ideas to answer that question. You will not have time to write a full outline, but number the ideas that you just generated in the best order to state, develop, and conclude your essay.
●Try for at least a five-paragraph essay—an introduction to state your thesis, three paragraphs to develop your points, and a strong conclusion to summarize and restate your thesis.
●Write clearly and legibly. The readers of your essay have only 2 or 3 minutes to read and score your essay. No matter how well meaning and fair they are, they just do not have time to puzzle over illegible handwriting. Practice writing neatly—and quickly.
Tips For Math And Science Tests
●Know when you may, may not, and must use a calculator for the test. This goes back to knowing the test structure and instructions for each section of the test.
●Be sure you know what kind of graphing calculation you will need for your test. That is, be sure you know what functions you will need to do on the test and what functions your calculator can perform.
●When required to show your calculations, show all your calculations and use standard math notations to do it.
PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.
Practice helps you learn the instructions for each part of the test, helps you work out a pacing schedule, and gives you a sense of confidence for the test day. Doing your regular AP* class assignments—reading, writing, and completing your math and science projects—is also practicing. Without course content, all the test-taking techniques will not help you get a "3" or better on the test.
General Test Tips
●Learn the test structure, time period for each section, and directions for each section. Knowing this information has two benefits for you. First, you will know ahead of time what you are expected to do, so you can practice. Second, knowing what kinds of tasks you will need to perform will relieve some of your test anxiety.
●Learn the vocabulary of the subject matter. You will not be able to answer questions if you do not understand what the terms mean. The glossary at the back of your textbooks can be handy study guides.
●Annotate the questions. Circle, bracket, underline, checkmark—in some way highlight the key words in the question. Use these to help you find the right answer choice.
●Use the process of elimination when you are not sure about an answer.Even the College Board suggests that if you are not sure about an answer but can eliminate at least one answer choice as being wrong, guess. Use logic to work your way through the answer choices until, through the process of elimination, you can select one answer as your best "guess."
●Guess if you have to. Part of pacing is moving on when you come to a question that stumps you. But if, when you come back to it, you still are not sure of the answer and hesitate to use the process of elimination, think of these facts: A wrong answer deducts a 1/4 point from your score. A right answer adds a point. You would need to guess wrong four times to lose a whole point.
●Pace yourself; this is a major benefit of practicing for the test. You may be expected to answer 80 multiple-choice questions in 55 minutes and plan and write an essay in 35 minutes. Only by pacing yourself will you be able to come near to accomplishing these tasks. Work out a pacing schedule for yourself. Write it in your test booklet if you have to in order to remind yourself to work steadily and efficiently. It will help keep your anxiety level under control.
●Don't be careless in marking or erasing answers on the answer sheet. In other words, blacken answer ovals completely and erase your changes completely. You have probably heard this every time you have taken a standardized test, but it is true. Multiple-choice tests are scored by machine and the machine is not programmed to deal with pencil marks, only blackened answer ovals.
●If you skip answering a question, circle the question number in the test booklet, not on the answer sheet. The same reason applies; stray marks confuse the machine.
●If you skip a question, be sure you skip the answer line for that question.
Essay Tips
●Choose the order in which you want to write the essays. You do not have to answer the essay questions in the order in which the test preparers listed them. Skim the essay questions quickly and then renumber them 1, 2, etc. Tackle them in that order.
●Use an abbreviated outline form to structure your essay, but do outline it.After you have read the question and highlighted the key words so you know what you are being asked, restate the question to yourself. Then brainstorm ideas to answer that question. You will not have time to write a full outline, but number the ideas that you just generated in the best order to state, develop, and conclude your essay.
●Try for at least a five-paragraph essay—an introduction to state your thesis, three paragraphs to develop your points, and a strong conclusion to summarize and restate your thesis.
●Write clearly and legibly. The readers of your essay have only 2 or 3 minutes to read and score your essay. No matter how well meaning and fair they are, they just do not have time to puzzle over illegible handwriting. Practice writing neatly—and quickly.
Tips For Math And Science Tests
●Know when you may, may not, and must use a calculator for the test. This goes back to knowing the test structure and instructions for each section of the test.
●Be sure you know what kind of graphing calculation you will need for your test. That is, be sure you know what functions you will need to do on the test and what functions your calculator can perform.
●When required to show your calculations, show all your calculations and use standard math notations to do it.
PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.
Practice helps you learn the instructions for each part of the test, helps you work out a pacing schedule, and gives you a sense of confidence for the test day. Doing your regular AP* class assignments—reading, writing, and completing your math and science projects—is also practicing. Without course content, all the test-taking techniques will not help you get a "3" or better on the test.
