IES: Study Guide 📚

Introduction to Environmental Science Study Guide

This study guide will help you study for the module exam by highlighting the most important concepts on the exam. It is not a definitive list of every topic that could appear on the exam and should not be used in lieu of the textbook and course content.

🚨 Do not begin your test until you have completed all self-assessments, assignments, and the review items and feel confident in your understanding of this material.

Scientific Method and Experiments 🔬 (click to reveal)

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          • Know...
            • the steps of the scientific method.
            • how to write a TESTABLE hypothesis.
            • how to identify dependent, independent, and control variables.
            • how to set up a controlled experiment.
              • how many experimental groups are needed.
              • how to set up a control group.
              • what to keep the same and what to change between experimental groups.
              • how many replicates you should have for your experiment.
            • what type of data you should collect during an experiment.
            • the difference between accuracy and precision.
            • how to avoid bias when setting up an experiment and interpreting your results.

 

Graphing 📊 (click to reveal)

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          • Know...
            • where to put the independent and dependent variables on your axes.
            • how to label the x- and y-axes of your graph correctly.
            • when to use a pie chart, bar graph, or scatterplot.
            • how to draw a best fit line.

 

Calculations 🧮 (click to reveal)

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          • Calculate...
            • an average.
            • percentages.
            • percent difference.
            • with decimals (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
          • Know how to...
            • convert between metric units.
            • write very large and very small numbers in scientific notation.
            • add and subtract numbers in scientific notation.
            • multiply and divide numbers in scientific notation.
            • solve problems using dimensional analysis.

 

Rounding in Science ⭕️ (click to reveal)

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          • Know...
            • when to round DOWN in environmental science.
            • when to round UP in environmental science.

 

 

Multiple-Choice 📝

  • You will only be graded on what is submitted in Canvas.
  • There are four choices for each question. Choose the best answer.
  • On the actual AP exam, you will have 90 minutes to answer 80 questions. On this test, you will have 65 minutes to answer the questions on your test.

 

Free-Response 📝

  • You will only be graded on what is submitted in Canvas.
  • You can write your answers and upload them to Canvas OR write them directly in Canvas
    • NOTE: if you are uploading your answers to Canvas, you are responsible for uploading your answers within the time frame allowed for the free-response test. You will not get extra time if your document does not upload in time.
  • On this exam, you will have 35 minutes to answer your Free Response question. On the real AP exam, you should plan for about 22.5 minutes per FRQ.

 

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Print out this study guide and save it to use when studying for the AP exam in May!

🖨️ Introduction to Environmental Science Study Guide Links to an external site.

 

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