5/16 AP: Updates on AP Test

image of fireworks exploding in multiple colors

Congratulations! You finished the AP Physics 1 Test.

For those of you who took the test, here is some information about test results, etc.

Dates

  • May 26: FRQ posted for teachers to see (I think; there’s some confusion on the AP Physics Facebook group about what is actually being released on the 26th).
  • August 18: Scores released.

The way FRQs are traditionally scored is that the College Board hires teachers for a week session during the summer where the teachers discuss and agree on a scoring rubric, then score all the tests. During the session, teacher scores are routinely audited by lead teachers to ensure that all tests are being scored consistently. This year, the scoring will be done remotely, but will probably utilize Zoom and other sharing platforms to create the scoring rubrics.

Once the FRQ scoring is complete, the College Board looks at the score distribution for both the multiple choice (although there were none of these this year) and the FRQs and normalizes them to produce a consistent curve of 1-5 scores across the years. Their assumption is that each year there should be the same bell curve shape; e.g. if one year more students earn higher scores, then the assumption is that test was easier the year before. This is why it takes until August to get your results…real humans score the FRQs, not machines.

Feedback on the test

Please click here to complete a form to let me know how the test went for you (both physics-wise and technology-wise), and so I can provide you with some thoughts on how well you did with your answers.

You can also upload your solutions if you’d like me to look at them.

5/10 AP: Studying and reviews this week.

Zoom logo

Zoom office hours

AP only hours

  • Monday 2:00-3:00
  • Tuesday 9:00-10:00 AM
  • Wednesday 2:00-3:00
  • Thursday 9:00-10:00 AM (this is the morning of the test, so I advice you try not to need to come in at this time.

Please come to office hours with specific questions, or specific FRQs you want help with. I’m really here to help you with questions you have from work you have already gone over, not to provide review lectures. Try the problem, and have the paper you started on available so you can share with me and others what you did. Be ready to use your phone/web cam.

Office hours open to all students

  • Mon-Fri 11:00 am – 1:00 PM. I’m usually not too busy during these times, but I may also have students from Physics in the Universe who will also have questions about their work.

Flipping Physic Video AP Physics 1 Review Page

At this point, it is best for you to practice FRQ problems. Flipping Physics has a page with solutions to many past FRQ problems here.

Please practice these problems by watching the question, trying it yourself, then watching how it is solved on the video. Remember:

  • Carefully read the question all the way through before you start answering it.
  • If the problem asks you for a sketch of any kind, include one!
    • Sketch carefully; use arrows to point out anything you think may not be clear (use the arrows so the words don’t clutter up your sketch).
    • Remember that Free Body Diagrams (aka force diagrams) only include actual forces, not components.
      • If you want to add components or anything else to your Free Body Diagram later in the problem, quickly re-sketch it and feel free to mark the new one up any way you need.
  • Don’t use too many words, but also try to answer using complete sentences.
    • Correct English grammar and punctuation was designed to make wording clearly understandable. Your reader needs to easily and quickly understand what you are trying to get across.
  • If a question asks for an equation, write it neatly, with subscripts/superscripts clear.
    • You don’t want your reader to have to decipher if you mean F=m•a or F=ma.

Remember that you can earn points for what appears to be relatively small details, for example of of the practice tests asks for a force diagram, and the solution was only a dot with one horizontal arrow (correctly labeled, of course).

Don’t skimp on the details; you will more likely gain more points by moving carefully through only part of a question than trying to rush through and leave out important details.

You have learned a lot of physics, but there may be some problems that you just say “I don’t get it…” If you run across such a problem, re-read it carefully, and check to see if there are any bits of information you can provide them to help you collect points.

5/10 AP: Preparing for the test

Image showing high and low gear mechanical advantages on a bicycle

Please read this entire page, including videos and links, if you are scheduled to take the AP test this Thursday.

Connecting with College Board

Be sure you read the What Students Need on Exam Day page. Some of the key point are listed below.

Read Tips for Success on Open Book/Open Note Exams. For example:

You should not copy responses from notes or resources. We designed this year’s AP Exams knowing you have access to your notes and resources, so the exam questions will ask you to apply concepts from your notes and resources in new ways. Copying what you have done in the past won’t produce a satisfactory answer.

AP 2020 Exam: The Rules (video)

Required

  • Exam ticket email
  • Completed Exam Day Checklist, including AP ID
  • Device: laptop, tablet, smartphone, desktop computer.
  • Browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  • Internet or cellular connection
  • Assistive technology and devices (if applicable, for students approved to test with accommodations)

Recommended for students typing responses

  • Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notes, or another app to enter and save text

Permitted

  • Your class notes or study guides
  • Textbooks and other classroom resources
  • Previous assignments or assessments

Preparing for the test/test contents

Test your technology before the exam day

You only have a limited amount of time for the exam, so you don’t want to waste any time finding out something is not working. The College Board has created a checklist here.

Pay particular attention to the Photo Submissions Issues section.

Resources for test day

The College Board suggests you check in 30 minutes before your test time. This will ensure that you have the entire time for your exam.

Format of test

Be sure to watch the following video; it provides much information about test day, and your ability to log in and practice the format two days before.

Methods of submitting, as shown in the above video:

  • Attach a text file (that you typed in another application)
  • Copy and paste your response (that you typed in another application)
  • Attach photos of your handwritten response.

I strongly suggest that you use the last method. Most answers will require some symbols and/or equations, and trying to write them in an online document is usually very time-consuming.

If you are going to write on paper, you need to use white paper and a #2 pencil or pen with black or blue ink, and have your APID and initials written on the top of each sheet. Plan ahead and have ten sheets (or more) of white paper with your APID number and initials on the top. Don’t number the pages in advance, and don’t add your name (they don’t want to introduce potential bias in grading by readers, so your reader will not be able to guess your gender and/or race/ethnicity.

My thought/suggestion: Many of you are most comfortable using your phone. If you are going to be writing on paper, you can taking photos and submitting them from your phone is probably easier than on a laptop/computer.

College Board web links for the 2020 AP Exams

This list has good information about the test.

Web linkInformation, function, or used when or to….
myap.collegeboard.orgManage your personal College Board account, verify personal email address, locate AP Exam e-ticket, identify colleges to receive AP Exam scores by 6/20/20.
cb.org/ap2020Links to AP exam schedules, Testing Guide, & online AP Classes and Review Sessions
cb.org/ap2020accommodationsFor students with IEP accommodations, or who experience sudden illness or injury
cb.org/apchecklist2020 AP Student Exam Day Checklist – to be completed prior and materials to be gathered for success on exam day
cb.org/apdemo         Tech check – ensure your testing device will access the real exam & practice submit your responses.  Available 5/4/20 -> use generic password – PRACTICE
cb.org/apexamdaydocsReference guides, keyboard guides, and scoring rubrics,
cb.org/2020apexamplaylistKey information – preparation, exam experience, etc for the 2020 AP Exam.
cb.org/apexamsecurityProtocols to detect and prevent cheating during online open book/open note tests
cb.org/apopenbooktipsTips for Success on Open Book/Open Note Exams and avoiding exam security issues
cb.org/aptestingguide20202020 AP Exam Day Testing Guide & policies
cb.org/confirmemailConfirm that College Board has your personal email address
cb.org/reportcheatingYou can report any cheating attempts here:
cb.org/requestmakeupUnavailable on exam day; any issue on exam day that prevents you from testing successfully. Must be completed within 48 hours of May 14 test date
collegeboard.org@e.collegeboard.orgSend an email to this account, whitelist it in your blocked email list -> receive College Board emails
Getting Ready for AP Exam DayThings you should take care of well before exam day
AP Physics 1 – Remote lessonsAP Physics 1: Remote online classes and review sessions – YouTube Playlist