AP Testing Tips from Cornell Professors

Some Cornell College professors score AP exams. Since they read and grade exams, we thought they would be a great resource for providing tips for AP exam test-takers. Here are their top tips:

1

“Relax, be calm, and do not give up. The authors and readers of your examination want you to succeed. By making even a little start on an answer you can earn a few points—and a few points are better than no points!”

–Professor of Computer Science Leon Tabak

2

“Whatever test you're taking, look at the sample questions, answers, and scoring rubrics available at the AP Central website. Use the rubrics to score some of the sample answers yourself so that you will better understand what the readers will be looking for in your answers. Every test also has a course and exam description document that summarizes everything that might be on the test.”

–Professor of Politics David Yamanishi

3

“Write legibly!  Humans have to be able to read what you wrote in order to score it!  Also, make sure you fully justify your answer. In statistics, an answer of just a number will almost never get you any credit at all, even if it is correct, without justification.”

–Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Ann Cannon

4

“Write carefully and read what you write. Does it make any sense? AP readers are not permitted to interpret your answer for your intended answer, but they will read and score exactly what you wrote. Answer the question and stop writing. Writing something incorrect that is not required for the answer will usually lower the score.”

–Professor of Mathematics and Statistics Jim Freeman