APE - Tips for Success on Free Response Questions

Tips for Success on Free Response Questions

As with the multiple choice section, there are specific things you need to remember when answering free response questions:

Remember the time limit - Yes, as was mentioned before, this one is important.
Read all questions before you begin - This is part of your time management. By reading the problems before you begin you can get a better sense of how much time you will need to allot to each question. Remember that you don't have to do the questions in order.
Show your work - The exam scorer will be looking for you to show that you understand the concepts being tested. For mathematical problems this means showing your work, and not leaving out any steps you think are trivial or "obvious."

List the equation(s) you will use.
Show the result of any algebraic manipulation. This could be as simple as solving for a variable or showing how you correctly combined multiple equations. During this step, you should still be using the variable symbols.
Show where you've plugged in the correct values for each variable into the equation. Don't forget the units!
Show your final answer, marked with a box or underline, including units.
Don't forget units!

Write neatly and in complete sentences where appropriate - If the reader can't read your wonderful explanation, you won't get credit.
If you need the answer from a previous section you didn't answer, make it up - If you clearly indicate the value you're using for part (b) is a made-up substitute for the answer you couldn't get in part (a) you can still earn credit for your work in part (b).
Try every problem - Even if you can't find the final answer, or completely describe the lab setup, or completely analyze the lab data, showing what you can do can still earn you points.
If you're stuck on a math problem, use your equation sheet - If you are stuck and have time, peruse the equation sheet. Sometimes an equation you didn't memorize may be there and point you in the right direction.

Free Response Practice

In these practice problems you should answer the problem on your own first. Once you've completed the problem, check the scoring rubric to see how points would have been awarded on the AP exam. It is important you see what it takes to earn full credit.