This thread is in preparation for the 2016 AP Statistics Exam, although it’s been started early.
I have little depth or background in statistics, our school’s math program is different from most (Integrated Mathematics Program) but I decided to take AP Stats this year to help improve my understanding of Statistics (and for college credit if I pass the exam).
Does anyone have information of past AP study and exam taking strategies that would be useful for an AP Stats student this year?
Your input is appreciated!
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Yes, get the 7th edition of barrons stats, and go cover to cover on it and you have a solid 5 guaranteed. Barrons over prepares you for stats. The questions on barrons are noticeably more difficult than the ap test.
I used Princeton Review for my review this year, and was really really prepared for the FRQ. Like, some of the practice FRQ were eerily similar to the actual FRQ. Khan Academy has some great statistics videos, and Learnerator has a comprehensive set of review questions from every part of the exam that I liked going over (I like Learnerator in general, YMMV).
I may edit this post and update it with notes and various things I’ve saved over the past year.
And, finally, good luck to everyone taking it next year! I’ve always been behind in math - desperately trying not to fail, being put in the “slow” classes, etc. - but taking AP Stat was so satisfying. I loved it. Even if I wasn’t very good at it. You always see statistics, but to understand them is something else entirely. I’ve used my new knowledge in a bunch of ways (chi square in bio, interpret/call out BS stats I see on FB, etc etc etc).
No matter what kind of class you are taking (or self-studying), make sure everything makes sense to you. Some people just recite all the formulas and hypothesis tests formats, that’s not guna work (it might, but it’ll make you hate this class and possibly mess things up on the AP exam).
Something important to know:
Small concepts like “why can’t you use this kind of survey?”, or “what’s type two error and how to calculate it?” are important, don’t ignore them.
Master your calculator. This’ll save to sooo much time.
Keep your mind clear when learning all kinds of hypothesis tests. Know WHY use WHAT formula, try explaining it to urself or others till it really makes sense. (Our school offered an online class, so during the semester i was kinda confused by the two p-tests, but thankfully i figured it out yesterday, right before the exam. If you guys don’t wanna be freaking out the night before, figure it out while you learn it).
Do a bunch of practice problems before the exam, do released MC questions, they WILL be helpful
That’s probably all I wanna say. Today’s test was not like what I was expecting, cuz I’m the “math” and “logic” kinda kid. But this time it’s mostly writing and defending ur point.
Hope for the best.
Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this class next year! It can be a really fun class!! When everything finally clicks, you can find statistics beautiful
I’m self-studying the exam too! Which do you guys think is the best prep book and textbook? Or do you think that we can manage it without a textbook and just a prepbook? Thanks!
Tbh…I thought I killed the M/C portion but there’s a lot of tricky answers and stuff so learning all the small stuff is really important. I didn’t self study but if you do i would suggest either barons or kaplans. I had barons but I really only used kaplans because it simplified a lot of concepts. As far as an easy 3 it depends. I’ll be happy with a 3 but I’m probably just paranoid about the exam. Next year if you study and understand hypothesis testing and probability you’ll do fine.
Taking this class next year. Heard it’s an easy Senior year (atleast that BC which I took this year and multivar which Im not going to bother taking in high school)
For those wanting to self-study, this exam wasn’t that hard. I feel like I got 30/40 multiple choice, and hopefully I did as well on the free response but I’m not really sure. I used a Barron’s book to review about a few weeks prior to the exam to brush up on old topics, and I borrowed a stats book from the teacher of the class, and it really helped. I think it had flamingos on the cover.
This class is not too bad, but I did have an outstanding teacher. The exam was much easier than all of the practice we did. I agree with those above about getting Barron’s–it is useful. However, I mainly used my notes for the AP exam, but my notes will not be the same as your notes. My teacher did a great job with his notes, so it prepared me more than anything. You’ll be just fine if you do your homework and keep up with everything! Good luck next year!
When I took the exam, I thought it was a joke. I took it in 2014 as a sophomore, and it was all disgustingly easy. Both MC and free response. Especially the question 6, I was like “PRAISE DA LAWRD.” It’s an easy exam to get a 5 in. However, I have to warn you all that this is a whole new different world of math. This is not the typical “there’s only one right answer” type of subject; statistics is more how you word things. You need to get your concepts down. Every single one of them. Know them, understand them, explore them in context. To me, the easiest portion of this course was the significance tests just because significance tests are very organized and step-oriented. tbh I hate the 4 step system. Use this 9 step system: 1. Define your parameters 2. State null hypothesis 3. State alternative hypothesis 4. State your significance level (WITH JUSTIFICATION, like “given in context of problem” or “standard accepted level”) 5. State the test you will use and calculate your sample statistics 6. State whether your test meets the conditions (MOST IMPORTANT STEP) 7. Calculate your z, t, X^2, etc. & p-value (make sure you also STATE the formula for finding each one, and THEN do your calculations using your actual numbers) 8. DRAW A GRAPH!!! 9. i) State the inequality of p-value compared to your significance level ii) say “Reject” or “Do not reject” null hypothesis iii) There is evidence to support that blah blah blah.
@MrAustere Yes, this is realistic, but why are you doing this? How will it benefit you?
I recommend Barron’s, and almost everyone else will recommend Barron’s too. It’s a great, thorough prep book, perfect for self-studying.
@MrAustere Why are you self-studying it though? If you’re doing it to impress colleges, then you shouldn’t–they will not be impressed. However, if you are self-studying it because you are interested or you want college credit, then I’d say go right ahead and do it! It’s not “easy” by any means, but it’s easy enough to self-study and still do well. The concepts aren’t terribly difficult, but some tripped me up pretty badly. You can always ask a teacher for help though.
