AP Exam- Tips and Tricks This PowerPoint contains some basic information about the Multiple Choice section of the AP test. Hopefully, it will prove helpful.

AP Exam- Tips and Tricks

This PowerPoint contains some basic information about the Multiple Choice section of the AP test. Hopefully, it will prove helpful.

BIG TIP: You are not penalized for incorrect answers- so answer everything! Try to narrow it down to one or two options, but guessing will not hurt you if you run out of time.

AP Exam- M/C Terminology

Stem: the initial part of the item in which the task is delineated—it may be a question, directions, or an incomplete statement.

Options: all the choices in an item.Key: the correct answerDistractors: the incorrect optionsItem set: two or more items based on a

common passage, problem, graph, or other stimulus material

AP Exam-M/C Terminology

1. Which of the following best states the subject of the passage?

(A) The senselessness of ornamentation.

(B) The development of modern machinery.

(C) A popular revolt against methods of industrial production.

(D) A change in the aesthetics of machine design.

(E) The historical development of aesthetics.

Question Stem: the task you are being asked to complete

Options: your Options: your choices for choices for completing completing the taskthe task

Distracters: Distracters: incorrect incorrect optionsoptions

Key: Key: correct correct optionoption

Distracter: Distracter: incorrect incorrect optionoption

Stem Categories

Multiple Choice stems generally fall into one of seven categories: 1. Main Idea2. Cause and Effect3. Inferred (contextual) meaning4. Grammar (and what type, ex.:

antecedent, syntax)5. Rhetorical Devices: either function or

definition (and what type, ex.: tone, irony, allusion)

6. Footnotes7. Writer’s Craft

Stem Categories: Main Idea

These questions seek to examine your ability to understand the passage, or a piece of it as a whole.

Look for words like:“the author’s purpose”“the passage seeks to”“the main idea”“the purpose of paragraph 3”“the central focus”

Stem Categories:Cause and Effect

These questions check for your understanding of the causal relationships between elements of or events in a passage.

Look for words like: “the reference to” “because” “the effect” “the contrast” “after”

Stem Categories:Inference (Definition) These questions ask you to recognize

the meaning of a word in context. It is not enough to know what a word means according to Webster. You must understand its definition and how the author used it.

Look for words like: “refers to” “means” “the phrase…implies” “the word most nearly related to”

Stem Categories: Grammar (type or definition) These questions ask you to recognize

and be familiar with the use of grammatical structures.

Look for words like: “refers to the antecedent” “parallel structure” “would improve lines (xx-yy)” Names of grammatical structures (noun,

verb, transitive verb, adjective, gerund, etc.)

Stem Categories:Rhetorical Devices These questions test your

understanding of various rhetorical strategies and devices. They may ask you to identify the device, or to understand its function.

Look for words like: “the tone of (zzz) can best be described” “which of the following rhetorical devices” Names of rhetorical devices in options.

Stem Categories: Footnotes New to the AP Test. Ask you to accurately interpret the

information and use of footnotes. Look for words like:

“the purpose of footnote 4” “the footnotes suggest that” “which source is responsible for the

author’s conclusion that”

Stem Categories:Writer’s Craft These questions ask you to

demonstrate your understanding of the writing process.

Look for words like: “the development of the passage” “the structure of the passage (or lines)

serves to” “the presentation of”

A Final Word

Remember: They are not trying to “trick” you. If you

think the answer is tricky, come back to the question later.

Neither are they trying to “help” you. Key/Distracter ordering is random so you are just as likely to have a ABCDE answer sequence as a CCCCD sequence. They are not trying to give you clues or ulcers over the order the answers are in on your scantron.

All questions must require the examinee to read the passage before answering. Don’t skip the reading, or you might as well be guessing randomly.