Tips for Taking the A.P. Exam
Show all work.
Remember that the grader is not really interested in finding out the answer to
the problem. The grader is interested in seeing if you know how to solve the
problem.
Do not round partial answers.
Store them in your calculator so that you can use them unrounded in further
calculations.
Do not let the points at the beginning keep you from getting the
points at the end.
If you can do part (c) without doing (a) and (b), do it. If you need to import
an answer from part (a), make a credible attempt at part (a) so that you can
import the (possibly wrong) answer and get your part (c) points. At least make up an answer from part a so
that you can do part b.
If you use your calculator to solve an equation, write the
equation first.
An answer without an equation might not get full credit, even if it is correct.
If you use your calculator to find a definite integral, write the
integral first.
An answer without an integral will not get full credit, even if it is correct.
Do not waste time erasing bad solutions.
If you change your mind, simply cross out the bad solution after you have
written the good one. Crossed-out work will not be graded. If you have
no better solution, leave the old one there. It might be worth a point or
two. NEVER ERASE! Erasing takes time.
Do not use your calculator for anything except:
(a) graph functions, (b) compute numerical derivatives, (c) compute definite
integrals, and (d) solve equations. In particular, do not use it to determine max/min
points, concavity, inflection points, increasing/decreasing, domain, and range.
(You can explore all these with your calculator, but your solution must stand
alone.). Exploration on a calculator is
NOT a solution.
Be sure you have answered the problem.
For example, if it asks for the maximum value of a function, do not stop after
finding the x at which the maximum value occurs. Be sure to express your answer
in correct units if units are given.
If you can eliminate some incorrect answers in the multiple-choice
section, it is advantageous to guess.
Otherwise it is not. Wrong answers can often be eliminated by estimation, or by
thinking graphically.
If they ask you to justify your answer, think about what needs
justification.
They are asking you to say more. If you can figure out why, your chances are
better of telling them what they want to hear. For example, if they ask you to
justify a point of inflection, they are looking to see if you realize that a
sign change of the second derivative must occur.
If a calculation is given as a decimal, it should be correct
to three decimal places after the decimal point.
Do not round in intermediate steps before a final calculation is made. You should realize that tracing along a
graph to find roots or points of intersection might not produce the required
accuracy.
Top Ten Student Errors
(Okay,
so I have trouble with Arithmetic)
1.
is a point of
inflection.
2.
is a maximum (minimum)
3.
Average rate of change of f on [a, b] is
4.
Volume by washers is .
Adapted from Dan Kennedy and Lin McMullin