AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
AP Exams 2015
April 22, 2015
AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
The AP Exams
• Each test is 2 hours and 10 minutes
• Test dates:
• Thur. May 14: Macro 12 noon
• Fri May 15: Micro 8 am
• 60 multiple choice questions (70 minutes)
• 3 Free Response questions, 1 long and 2 short (10
minute reading time plus 50 minutes to answer)
• MC = 2/3 of grade
• FRQ = 1/3 of grade
• Average FRQ score is <50%
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
Overview
Average AP scores:
80-100
A
65-80
B
50-65
C
40-50
D
2012 mean scores were 3.0 and 2.8
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
Test Taking Strategies
Objectives - Understand each of the following:
• Answer the question that was asked
• Intent of question will probably be included in stem,
therefore, try to formulate an answer before reading
distractors
• Select best answer
• Answer easy questions first
• OK to guess on questions that are completely unfamiliar – no
penalty for wrong answersI
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
Multiple Choice
Question Types:
• Definitions/Classifying: 38%
• Cause & Effect Change: 38%
– 1 Cause & Effect: 50%
– 2 Causes & Effects: 33%
– 3 Causes & Effects: 17%
• Calculation: 12%
• Graphic Interpretation: 9%
• I, II, III style classifying: 3%
•
Source: David Meyer, Preparing For The AP Economics Exams, 2011
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
FRQs
• Answer questions in the order asked (ie part
a,b,c,d)
• Diagrams can provide or enhance answer - some
FRQs will require graphs
• Label diagrams fully, clearly and correctly
• Changes in curves should be identified with
arrows and clear sequencing of labels (ie AS1, AS2)
• Emphasize line of reasoning…stating results not
enough
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
FRQs
• Read the question – underline the verb – what
are they looking for?
• Use correct terminology in FRQs and class
discussion
• Use rubrics as guides (Krugman Module FRQ
answers, APE Sample and Past Exam FRQ
answers)
• Not an essay – do not write thesis statement,
intro paragraph and do not repeat the question
in your answer
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
FRQ Verb Prompts
• “Show” – think “Graph” - use diagram to illustrate your answer.
Label all elements including graph axes.
• “Explain” – take reader through each linkage needed to go from
starting point to final answer. Graphs and symbols are
acceptable.
• “Identify” – “think Indicate” - bulleted list of short phrases or
terms, even single label or arrow, without any elaboration or
explanation
• “Calculate” – use mathematical operation to determine a
specific numerical response, along with providing your work
• “Analyze” – not used much any more, think “Show” AND
“Explain”
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AP Economics
Mr. Bernstein
Exam Topics and Weightings
• Topics, and weightings, for the AP Microeconomics Exam
are listed on pages 9-10 of College Board AP Course
Description: https://securemedia.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/apeconomics-course-description.pdf
• Topics, and weightings, for AP Macroeconomics Exam are
listed on pages 26-27 of College Board AP Course
Description
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