How to Write the Experimental Design FRQ on the AP Environmental Science Exam

Summary

In this video, Mr. Smeeds guides students through the experimental design FRQ on the 2021 AP Environmental Science exam. He advises on pacing, emphasizing that 23 minutes per FRQ is ideal. He highlights the importance of identifying variables precisely and not aiming for perfection, suggesting that scoring between 7-8 out of 10 is sufficient for a 5. The video offers tips for earning easy points, like identifying control groups, and navigating trickier questions about modifying experiments. Viewers are encouraged to practice with a timer and provided resources.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video focuses on the Experimental Design FRQ from the 2021 AP Environmental Science (APES) exam.
• 🔔 It advises viewers to subscribe and turn on notifications for more APES exam review content.
• ⏰ In 2021, the APES exam format changed to three FRQs to be completed in 70 minutes, with an average of 23 minutes per FRQ.
• 📝 The video emphasizes the importance of time management, suggesting about 2 minutes should be spent on each point within an FRQ.
• 🎯 It highlights that perfection is not necessary, and scoring a 5 on the exam requires an average of 7-8 points across the three FRQs.
• 🧐 The video provides strategies for identifying easy points to focus on within the Experimental Design FRQ to build a solid foundation.
• 🔍 It stresses the need to be precise when identifying variables in an experiment, using the exact terms from the description.
• 🌟 The video suggests starting with Experimental Design questions even if they're not first, as they can be easier points.
• 📊 It covers how to identify a scientific question or hypothesis, and the importance of using the exact independent and dependent variables.
• 🔬 The video also touches on designing the experiment, advising to keep the procedure short and focused on the essential elements.
• 📉 Lastly, it discusses how to approach questions about modifying experiments, emphasizing the importance of not panicking and making logical changes to the independent variable.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Mr. Smeeds' video?

The main focus of Mr. Smeeds' video is to guide students through the experimental design FRQ on the 2021 AP Environmental Science exam.

How many FRQs were there in the 2021 AP Environmental Science exam?

In the 2021 AP Environmental Science exam, there were three FRQs.

What is the time allocation for the FRQs in the 2021 AP Environmental Science exam?

Students have 70 minutes to complete the three FRQs in the 2021 AP Environmental Science exam.

Why does Mr. Smeeds recommend watching the 'Write Like a Scholar' series before this video?

Mr. Smeeds recommends watching the 'Write Like a Scholar' series to ensure that students are well-prepared for writing FRQs efficiently and effectively.

What is the minimum average score needed to achieve a score of 5 on the AP Environmental Science exam?

To achieve a score of 5 on the AP Environmental Science exam, students need to average between 7 and 8 points across the three FRQs.

Why does Mr. Smeeds suggest going directly to the experimental design questions on the FRQ?

Mr. Smeeds suggests going directly to the experimental design questions because they are often easier points and should not be missed due to time constraints.

How should students approach identifying variables in the experimental design FRQ?

Students should be precise and use the exact terms from the experiment description to identify variables in the experimental design FRQ.

What is the difference between identifying a control group and identifying constants or controls in an experiment?

A control group serves as a comparison or baseline, while constants or controls refer to variables that remain the same across all experimental groups to ensure a fair comparison.

What is the key to answering questions about designing an experiment in the FRQ?

The key to answering questions about designing an experiment is to keep the response concise, clearly identify the groups and variables, and specify how data will be collected.

How should students handle conceptual questions within the experimental design FRQ?

Students should handle conceptual questions by staying focused on the context of the experiment, avoiding getting derailed by unfamiliar content, and skipping if necessary to maintain pacing.

What is the strategy for modifying an experiment as part of the FRQ?

The strategy for modifying an experiment is to keep the dependent variable the same and consider a new independent variable that could alter the results of the study.