In general, there are three main factors that will affect your scoring. First, your level of experience. While each type of course is not exactly the same, the more experience you have for each type of course, the more likely you will perform well on the tests. So do your best to get plenty of experience in all of them!
Next, your scores will be influenced by the type of questions you are asked. For instance, if you are taking a practice AP Calculus AB Exam, you should focus on questions that don’t have an equivalent answer in a typical course. This includes getting to know the types of formulas and how to solve them. You can do this by reviewing for yourself and doing lots of reviews online or with friends. Then when you review for the real thing, you’ll be able to get the answers right. Here are some tips from exam-focused experts for getting the most out of your review time.
Watch for the big one: speed! Every question has a time limit of a few seconds, so you need to get to know how fast you can go through them. The most effective types of questions ask you to solve quickly, so watch for these! Some tips from exam-focused experts include using a calculator or taking a quick break to make sure you can still get through the section without too much trouble.
Another great idea is to learn how to use your calculator correctly. There are five basic operation buttons and five functions on the calculator. Use these properly, and try to memorize them. Some tips from exam-focused experts include knowing the function of each button, as well as knowing how to use them in sequence, which will significantly help you on the test.
The main focus of the test is not so much on actually answering questions. The test is more about fitting the answers to known models and templates, and so it is important to keep that in mind. Here are some tips from exam-focused experts to help you out:
Start studying immediately. Get a good night’s sleep, plan the route you’ll be taking, and start studying for your exam early. If you’re cramming, you’ll be less likely to remember any specific details you may have forgotten. Some general study tips include planning ahead, making notes while you’re studying, and marking your pages. Marking your pages will help you see which questions you’ve already learned, which will help you do well on the main section.
You’ll need to know how much you can expect to learn by reviewing for the exam. It is not a race, and you can’t get the answers wrong. Don’t spend too much time worrying about being right. Focus on doing well and being able to complete the requirements. Your calculator should do most of the work so long as you understand its functions.
Use your calculator for problem solving. Even though you already know the formula and you know which numbers and terms you need to memorize, sometimes it is still useful to use your calculator for additional calculations or to check your approximations. Be sure to find a calculator that supports your needs. Some calculators have search features that make finding answers easier, and some will let you see an answer before you actually type it in. Make sure you choose a calculator that lets you perform multi-step calculations, since they are more complicated and will take more time to do.
Look at your entire test to make sure that you understood everything. One of the biggest scoring guidelines for any type of AP Calculus exam is to find the concepts you didn’t understand the first time and learn them. This way, when you go back to them for practice papers, you’ll have developed a better understanding of what the problems are trying to convey. Some problems will require a lot of problem solving, so make sure you cover these areas on the test.
If you have trouble doing problems, then you’ll probably be better off going into sections that are less complex. You’ll be able to get through them faster without struggling, and you’ll end up with higher marks overall. This means that you’ll need to spend more time practicing before taking the real exam.
