ITL - Strategies for Success (Lesson)

Strategies for Success

The Wise Old Owl

The "wise old owl" indicated that thinking of the words was important prior to speaking. In a similar way it is time to examine the words and format of the multiple choice tests. Thinking of the words prior to speaking was the adage, so for a multiple choice test, reading and analyzing wisely prior to selecting (our speech) is important.

Taking multiple choice tests is an art in itself. In the AP Computer Science Principles multiple choice exam, you will be given a question with sometimes a short reading, sometimes a long reading, and sometimes a combination with boxes and directions to follow. So, the point that we need to look at prior to taking the exam is how:

  • to analyze questions
  • to evaluate the conclusions of the analyzation
  • to select the best choice.

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Example

Now let's look at an example to understand what it is that we need to do to get the correct answers to questions posed.

Example: Which of the following algorithms would best be completed with iteration?

  1.   An algorithm that subtracts two numbers, then multiplies by 3.
  2.   An algorithm that displays the sum of five randomly generated numbers from 1 to 100.  
  3.   An algorithm that adds numbers in a list and then displays the sum.
  4.   A and B above.
  5.   B and C above.

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Read a short portion at a time and stop and analyze. First, what does algorithm mean? Remember first what an algorithm is. An algorithm is a series of steps to solve a problem.  

Reading further, what is an iteration? An iteration is a loop, therefore whatever happens must create a loop.

Now we know what we are looking for. A solution to a problem that has a loop in it.

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Now that we understand the question, we can read the answers.

Answer A is something like (x - y) * 3 where x and y are numbers. Hmm... it is an algorithm, but not a loop so is not a good choice.

Answer B could be random a + random b + random c + random d + random e = sum. Random does not require looping, but only getting a random number between two others.

Answer C would need a loop to go through the list using an index since no list length was given.

Answer D indicates both A and C, but a does not have a loop.  Since "and" means that both must be true, and A is false, this is not the answer,

Answer E indicates both B and C;  B could use a loop but not necessary, and C would use a loop.  But since "and" means both must be true, Answer E is not the answer.

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Answer A is not correct, so eliminate A and D since A is part of D's answer.

Answer B is an option for looping, but not a best choice, thus answer E is questionable.

Answer C would need a loop to go through the list quickly without knowing the length of the list, thus C is the correct answer.

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