AP 2020 Exams Tips

Tutela AP 2020 Exams Tips

AP 2020 exams are around the corner and unlike every year’s AP exam, this year’s AP exams will be different due to COVID-19.

Unlike the usual AP exam, the duration of this year’s AP exam will be 45 mins, consisting of free-response questions only and no Multiple Choice Questions. To know the AP 2020 exam pattern, visit https://www.tutelaprep.com/blog/ap-exam-patter-for-may-2020/

There’s absolutely no need to panic about the difficulty level of the exam as the College Board has clarified clearly that it will not be a challenge to earn a score of 3,4 or 5. As per the College Board’s official, “Statisticians will adjust the number of points needed to earn a score of 3,4 or 5 to make up for the fact that students don’t have MCQ this year. So, it will not be difficult to earn a score of 3,4 or 5 in this year’s exam than any prior year’s exam.”

It’s a new exam format, therefore, we at TUTELA will help you by providing expert tips for a few AP Subjects.

Here are some specific AP exam-related tips-

AP Biology
1. Keep your answers in paragraph form.

2. Predict/Identification questions- Mention what did you identify and why.

3. Make Claim questions- Make sure whatever claim you have, is backed by a logical reason. Don’t panic about what you don’t know, as no claim is correct/incorrect if its reasoning is accurate.

4. Design an Experiment question- The question will always ask about a few things to be included (viz. Null Hypothesis, Predicted Result, Control, etc.) Regardless of what is being asked in the question, a complete experiment has to be written. It should have all the Subheadings as:

  •   Research Problem (Usually in question format)
  •   Hypothesis/Null Hypothesis
  •   Independent Variable (the one that you vary)
  •   Dependent Variable (the one that you see the effect on, of Independent Variable)
  •   Standardized Variable
  •   Control Experiment
  •   Methodology
  •   Expected Result

AP Calculus AB and Calculus BC
Here are some important topics and tips that must be followed-
1. Properties of Integration is a very important topic, especially while finding the area enclosed and is mixed with the fundamental theorem of calculus to check student knowledge about critical points, points of inflexion, etc. As per the trend, questions from these topics have been asked quite a number of times hence, make sure you are thorough with the concepts and have done enough practice regarding the same.

2. Finding the area under the graph and definite integrals using Riemann Sums is a topic that has a very higher chance of coming in the exam.

3. While finding absolute maxima and minima students, don’t forget to use the endpoints, which are generally the answers. Therefore, read the question carefully and see what is being asked.

4. Also, make sure your Calculator is in Radian mode.

AP Chemistry
Here are a few important topics that stand a good chance of appearing in the exam-
1. Bonding
2. Bond characteristics
3. Bond Angles
4. Shape of molecules
5. Chemical Equilibrium for Pressure of reactants and products related problems.
6. Stoichiometry (very important topic)
7. Chemical Kinetics Rate laws and Concentration time graphs for Zero, First, and Second order reactions.
8. Bond Enthalpy of a reaction
9. Temperature-time graph for calculating heat absorbed/released, and Latent Heat.

Common Error:
Significant Figures are of utmost importance in Chemistry which students don’t care about.
In Lewis Dot Structures, don’t forget to put lone pairs on all the atoms and draw resonating structures, whenever they exist.

AP Statistics-
1. There is some confusion among students regarding the following things
– Inferential statistics like where to use t and z distribution
– The difference between cases of 2 independent samples and matched pair samples
– Identifying cases of sample proportions and means.
Hence, get your doubts cleared regarding the same before you sit for the test.

2. In statistics FRQs, only finding the answers is not sufficient. One needs to check all required statistical conditions (inference), write all steps, and draw relevant curves followed by a conclusion in the context of the question to get full credit.

3. Be careful while using a calculator- Use the right commands (especially in choosing testing and interval procedures) and interpret every reading correctly.

AP Physics exam

1. For a subject like Physics C, try making colour-coded notes. For example- Red for the danger area (where you might make a mistake), green for the concept, and yellow for the formula. These notes will come in handy during the exam.

2. In subjects like Physics C, it’s very important to read the question as well as its sub-parts before you start answering.  For example – questions might be using motion and forces or forces and centre of mass, or centre of mass and rotation as its key areas. Compartmentalize your logic accordingly.

3. Rotation as a chapter, at times, becomes a bit tricky, make sure you do extra practice, especially for cases of rolling and moment of inertia.

AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics 

Microeconomics

  • The Elasticity of Demand and Supply
  • Market Equilibrium
  • Perfect and Imperfect Competition
  • Concept of Deadweight Loss

Macroeconomics

  • Market Equilibrium
  • Aggregate Demand
  • Aggregate Supply
  • Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Some common topics between Microeconomics and Macroeconomics-

1. For both AP Micro and Macro, concepts of demand and supply, and comparative and absolute advantages are important.
2. Make chapter-wise short notes having all formulas, concepts, and especially graphs.
3. While attempting FRQ in the economics exam, students need to focus more on the graphs, and their labelling.

General Tips to be followed in all the AP 2020 Exams-

1. Start taking practice tests before taking the actual AP tests.
2. While reading the question, try to create a mind map of it, and figure out the concepts the questions might use.
3. Create your own formula sheet and short notes for every chapter. You must condense the content and write just the information that you might need as a hint.
4. Do not use books as notes to refer to while taking the paper as it may confuse you.
5. As it is an open-book exam, keep your short notes containing all formulas and concepts handy. Do not forget to keep a calculator with you.
6. Create a clutter-free work desk for yourself. Just your laptop charging point space for books, stationeries, calculators, and relevant notes created by you. The messy desk might distract you while taking the AP exam.
7. Each answer should definitely consist of what is being asked in the exam question. Don’t include information that is irrelevant. Hence, be specific.
8. In Describe/Explain questions- Do not just write a reason. Make sure you include additional information that you know about the topic asked in the question.
9. Keep a water bottle and other paraphernalia that you might require during the AP exam.

If you have any queries relating to the AP exam or any general query then fill out Tutela’s student assistance form or call us directly at +91-8826345541.