http://www.athensacademy.org/instruct/upper/science/rpatterson/RJP_index.htm
Tips for Writing AP
Biology Exam
Essays
(Free Response
Questions)
Do’s
1. The
first thing that you should do is to
carefully read the question.
Before writing an answer, the second thing
you should do is read the question,
and the third thing you should do is read
the question. This has been
made easy for you now because there has been a 10-minute reading period
included at the start of the Free Response section of the Exam. During that time period you can read the
questions and start to plan and outline your answers before you will be
allowed
to write in the essay booklet. Be sure
that you answer the question that is asked and only that question, and
that you
answer all parts of it. If
you are given a choice of parts to
answer, choose carefully and don’t answer all parts of the question.
2. Briefly
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, astrices, skipping
around,
and rambling.
3. Write
an essay. Outlines and
diagrams, no matter how elaborate and accurate, are not essays and will
not get
you much, if any, credit by themselves.
Exceptions: If part of an essay
asks you to calculate a number such as a reaction rate, that part
does
not require an essay. But be sure to
show how you got your answer by writing the formulas you are using, the
values
you have inserted into those formulas and display the proper units on
the
answer. If you are asked to draw a
diagram in the answer, do so, but be sure to annotate it carefully and
thoroughly.
4. Define
and/or explain the terms you
use. Say something about each of
the important terms you use. The AP
Exam will not ask for a list of buzzwords.
Use high-level vocabulary but use it in context.
5. In
the question, action words such as “describe,” “analyze,”
“explain” and
“graph” will be in bold and you
must do those things in your answer.
When there are choices within the question, the parts
will have bullets, and when you must answer all parts of a question, you will see
the parts labeled “a, b, c,” etc. Answer
the question parts in the order called for, and use the question’s
labels (“a,
b,” etc.) to identify the different parts of your answer just like
they are
labeled in the question. It is best
not to skip around within the question.
6. The
essays appear on separate green paper
sheets and will be reprinted inside the essay book for you. Answer the questions right below where
they are reprinted in the booklet. There will be several
pages of
lined paper allotted for each question, so when you finish writing an
answer,
keep turning pages until you find the next question printed in the pink
booklet.
7. Write
clearly and neatly. It is foolhardy to
antagonize or confuse the
reader with lousy penmanship.
8. Go
into detail that is on the subject and
to the point. Be sure to include the
obvious. Most points are given for the
basics anyway
(for example, "light is necessary for photosynthesis”). Answer
the question thoroughly.
9. If
you cannot remember a word exactly, take
a shot at it--get as close as you can.
Even if you don't remember the name for a concept, describe
the concept.
10. Use
a ballpoint pen with dark black ink. If
your ink “bleeds” through to the other
side of the paper, don’t write on the back of that page--go to the next
page. It will make it make it easier for
the
reader.
11. If you use a
diagram, carefully and
thoroughly label it (otherwise it is unlikely to get any
points)
and place it in the text at the appropriate place--not
detached at the end. Be sure to refer
to the
diagram in your essay.
Also, it is ok to widen your margins a little.
This will make the essay easier
for most folks to read.
12. Bring
a watch to the
exam so that you can pace
yourself. You have four essays with
about 22 minutes for each answer.
The proctor will not give you time cues. You
should have enough time, but keep an eye on the clock just in
case.
13. Understand that this exam is
written to
be hard. Over the last five
years, the national average for the essay section will be less than 15
points out
of a possible 40. That is an average of
less than 4 points out of a possible 10 on each essay.
It is very likely that you will not know
everything. This is expected, but you
will know something about each
essay. So relax and do the best you
can. Write thorough answers.
14.
If you are asked to design or describe an experiment,
you should
consider including these things:
·
hypothesis
and/or predictions—call attention to it by calling it
by name (“my hypothesis is…”) or by using an “if .....then” structure. Tell what you expect to happen.
·
identify
the independent variable(s)—what treatments will you
apply?
·
identify
dependent variable(s)—what will you measure to see if the
independent variable had an effect?
·
describe
how you will
measure the dependent variable, AND why it will work in this case
·
identify
several experimental variables to be held
constant, and how you will keep them
constant (water bath to keep temperature steady, etc.).
·
describe
the organism/materials/apparatus to be used—tell why are
each of the parts important?
·
describe
what you will actually do (how will you apply the
treatment)
·
describe
how the data will be graphed and analyzed—how will a rate
be determined, how will you compare the experimental and
control groups
(compare the means, chi square, etc..)
Expect to have to make a prediction of results based on your
experimental design.
·
Your
experimental design needs to be at least theoretically
possible and scientifically plausible and it is very important that
your
conclusions/predictions be consistent with
(1) the principles involved in the question, and (2) with the way you
set up
your experiment. Make sure the
experiment is internally consistent.
·
Repeat
the experiment a few times or use large numbers of
organisms in your groups. Don’t do the
same thing to the same poor individual organism over and over.
·
Do
not hesitate to use the same experimental designs that we used
in our AP labs this year.
15. If
you are asked to draw a graph,
include these things:
·
Orient the graph
properly: set up the graph with
the independent variable (manipulated variable) such as time,
temperature,
light intensity, etc., along the x-axis and dependent variable
(responding
variable) such as how the organism reacts, along the y-axis.
·
Mark
off axes in equal (proportional)
increments.
·
Label each axis with the
variable name and include the proper
units in which it is measured (Co, minutes, moles per liter,
etc.)
·
Plot
points and attempt to sketch in the curve (line). Any
line curve that extends beyond the
given data points (extrapolation) must be a dashed line. Remember that a data point of 0,0 may
be implied by the given experimental design—but consider carefully
before
plotting this point.
·
If
more than one curve is plotted, write a label on each
curve (preferred) or make a legend.
·
Give your graph
an appropriate title. Tell what the graph is
showing? You might try wording it in the
form
of, “Y” as a function of “X." Include a title somewhere
even
it there is no room for one on the given graph paper.
1. Don't
waste time on background information
or a long introduction unless the question calls for historical
development or
historical significance. Answer
the question—do not rewrite it!!
2. Don't
ramble. Get to the point, and don't shoot
the bull. Say what you know and go on to
the next
question. You can always come back if
you remember something.
3. Don't
use a pencil, and don't use a pen
with an ink color other than black.
Don't use a felt-tip pen because the ink seeps through the page
and
makes both sides of the paper hard to read.
Don't scratch out excessively.
One or two lines through the unwanted word(s) should be
sufficient, and
don't write more than a very few words in the margin.
4. Don't
panic or
get angry because you are unfamiliar with the question.
You probably have read or heard something
about the subject, so calm and think.
Write on other questions and come back.
If a question has several parts and you have no clue about one
or two
parts, don’t quit!! Write whatever
you know about the other parts of the question. Every
single essay point helps your grade.
5. 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, very poor spelling,
lousy grammar, and unreadable handwriting can hurt your chances.
6. If
you are given a choice of several topics
to write about (something like, “describe 3 of the following 5
topics”),
understand that only the first ones you
mention will count. You must make
choices and stick with them. If you
decide that one of your first choices was a bad, then cross out that
part of
the answer so the reader can easily tell which part(s) you wish for
him/her to
read for points.
7. Don't
leave questions blank. The average total
points for the four Free
Response questions on last year’s Exam (2005) was only 11.4 points out
of 40
possible points (only 36%). You can do
better than that!!! Remember that each
point you earn on an essay question is the equivalent of about 1.6
correct
multiple choice questions, and there is no penalty for a wrong guess,
baad
spelig; or bad grammar.
8. Make
an effort on every question!
And whatever you do, DON’T QUIT!