5 Steps to a 5 AP Psychology, 2010-2011 Edition by Laura Lincoln Maitland Read Free Book Online Page B

you are bubbling the same line on the answer sheet as the question you are answering. I suggest that every time you turn the page you double check that you are still lined up correctly.
Section II: The Free-Response Questions
    Free-response questions on the AP Psychology exam may differ from the essay questions you’ve answered in other subjects. High interrater reliability , the extent to which two or more scorers evaluate the responses in the same way, is very important on the AP exam because you should get the same score no matter who reads your paper. Because only your own teacher ordinarily grades your classroom tests, this is not usually of importance. One aspect of assuring high interrater reliability is by creating questions that have specific, correct answers that raters look for in scoring. The scoring guidelines are rubrics that are written and followed for each free-response question.
    Although there are no magic pills to enable you to answer the free-response questions perfectly, let’s look at some possible strategies for maximizing your score:
    1. Read both essay questions to get a quick idea of the topics you’ll need to recall. Directly on the question sheet, jot down some key terms that serve as retrieval cues for you.
    2. Note the time and allot about half the remaining minutes to each question. Stick to the time you’ve allotted for your first question so that you’ll have adequate time to answer the second one.
“I was so ‘time-tied’ by the time I finished the first essay that if I hadn’t scribbled some thoughts for the second question as soon as I got my paper, I’m sure I wouldn’t have gotten that 5 on the exam!”
—Jessica, former AP student
    3. Read the question again carefully. Underline or highlight key words. Say the question to yourself in your own words. Be sure you know what the question is asking. (If you are not sure, read the question again.)
    4. See if you can segment the question into parts that will earn a credit. Generally each question has six to twelve segments which each earn a credit. For example, if you are asked to differentiate between proactive and retroactive interference, and give an example that illustrates each, you can segment the question into four points—
    Point 1
—Define proactive interference.
    Point 2
—Define retroactive interference, indicating clearly how it is different from proactive interference.
    Point 3
—Give an example of proactive interference.
    Point 4
—Give an example of retroactive interference.
    5. No matter how much you write, you cannot get more than the one point allotted for any segment. Scorers look for an adequate answer for the point and move on. So should you!
    6. No matter how brilliant an introduction you write, or what a great closing paragraph you create, if it doesn’t answer a segment of the question, you will not earn credit for it. So, do NOT spend any time writing an introductory paragraph or a concluding paragraph. Do NOT spend time rewriting the question as an introductory statement. Start by answering the first question segment, and finish by answering the last question segment.
    7. Write complete sentences. You cannot earn any points for a list, or an outline. Unless you are specifically told that you can provide a graph, table, or diagram in your answer, you will NOT earn any credit for them.
“Vocabulary is the key to doing well. If you know the right terms, define them, and apply them to the question, you’ll probably get most of the points. That’s how I got a 5.”
—Amanda, former AP student
    8. Even if you are not sure of something that you think might possibly earn a credit, write it. You may get credit for it. Unless you are contradicting something else that you said, you will not have points subtracted for saying something wrong.
    9. Write your answers clearly and legibly in dark blue or black ink. If you are equally comfortable printing or writing in script, print your answers. Readers appreciate