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Everything You Need to Know About AP Statistics Exam

AP Statistics Exam: Everything You Need to Know

Preparing for the AP Statistics exam? Our comprehensive guide has everything you need to know about the AP Statistics Exam, including test format, content, scoring, and study tips. From multiple-choice questions to free-response questions, we've got you covered. Get ready to succeed on the AP Statistics Exam and take your first step towards your college goals. Browse our guide now!

AP Statistics is equivalent to the first-semester course of introduction to statistics at many universities. The AP Statistics exam content includes data exploration, sampling and experimentation, prediction models, and statistical inference. In this guide, we will explain what is on the exam, show you sample problems, and important tips and tricks to get a great score on the exam.  

1. What’s the format of the AP Statistics exam?

Due to the pandemic, there are several adjustments and differences between the paper and digital AP Statistics exams. Overall, the digital exam will include more multiple-choice questions and fewer free-response questions. However, the length of the exam will stay the same. The test is 3 hours long and contains two sections as does the paper exam: multiple choice and free response. Students are allowed to bring a graphing calculator.  

ap stat
2. What’s covered in the AP Statistics exam?

The AP Course and Exam cover around 9 units with specific topics students should focus on. The College Board also provides the percentage of score that each unit will contribute in the exam.  

Unit 1: Exploring One-Variable Data (15-23% of exam) 

  • Variation in categorical and quantitative variables
  • Representing data using tables or graphs
  • Calculating and interpreting statistics
  • Describing and comparing distributions of data
  • The normal distribution 

Unit 2: Exploring Two-Variable Data (5-7% of exam) 

  • Comparing representations of 2 categorical variables
  • Calculating statistics for 2 categorical variables
  • Representing bivariate quantitative data using scatter plots
  • Describing associations in bivariate data and interpreting correlation
  • Linear regression models
  • Residuals and residual plots
  • Departures from linearity 

Unit 3: Collecting Data (12-15% of exam) 

  • Planning a study
  • Sampling methods
  • Sources of bias in sampling methods
  • Designing an experiment
  • Interpreting the results of an experiment 

Unit 4: Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions (10-20% of exam) 

  • Using simulation to estimate probabilities
  • Calculating the probability of a random event
  • Random variables and probability distributions
  • The binomial distribution
  • The geometric distribution 

Unit 5: Sampling Distributions (7-12% of exam) 

  • Variation in statistics for samples collected from the same population
  • The central limit theorem
  • Biased and unbiased point estimates
  • Sampling distributions for sample proportions
  • Sampling distributions for sample means  

Unit 6: Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions (12-15% of exam) 

  • Constructing and interpreting a confidence interval for a population proportion
  • Setting up and carrying out a test for a population proportion
  • Interpreting a p-value and justifying a claim about a population proportion
  • Type I and Type II errors in significance testing
  • Confidence intervals and tests for the difference of 2 proportions 

Unit 7: Inference for Quantitative Data: Means (10-18% of exam) 

  • Constructing and interpreting a confidence interval for a population mean
  • Setting up and carrying out a test for a population mean
  • Interpreting a p-value and justifying a claim about a population mean
  • Confidence intervals and tests for the difference of 2 population means

Unit 8: Inference for Categorical Data: Chi-Square (2-5% of exam) 

  • The chi-square test for goodness of fit
  • The chi-square test for homogeneity
  • The chi-square test for independence
  • Selecting an appropriate inference procedure for categorical data 

Unit 9: Inference for Quantitative Data: Slopes (2-5% of exam) 

  • Confidence intervals for the slope of a regression model
  • Setting up and carrying out a test for the slope of a regression model
  • Selecting an appropriate inference procedure 
3. When is the AP Statistics exam time

The AP statistics of 2023 will be held in May in person, on Thursday, May 4, 2023 12PM Local. 

4. Calculator use

A graphing calculator is allowed on the exam, but the calculator has to be on the approved list.  

The following is a list of calculator models that can be used for the AP Statistics exam: 

calculator

The multiple-choice questions are graded very straightforward, with each one question right earns you one point. For the free-response questions, each question will give you 0 to 4 points, depending on how well you answer it 

4 –  Complete Response – Three parts essentially correct 

3 – Substantial Response – Two parts essentially correct and one part partially correct 

2 – Developing Response – Two parts essentially correct and no parts partially correct OR One part essentially correct and one or two parts partially correct OR Three parts partially correct 

1 – Minimal Response – One part essentially correct OR No parts essentially correct and two parts partially correct 

– No Response: – Didn’t answer any questions correctly or did not have an answer 

5. AP Statistics Exam Score Information

The 5-point and 4-point rates of the AP Statistics exam are very important in understanding the probability of getting a high score. The 5-point rate reflects the test difficulty and scoring criteria of the subject to a certain extent.  

The following is the latest score distribution data of AP Statistics in 2021 for your reference.  

Subject

5 points 

4 points 

3 points 

point 

1 point 

AP Statistics 

14.8%

22.2%

23.4%

16.5%

23.1% 

6. Tips to nail the course and the AP Statistics Exam

#1 Study and review the material thoroughly  

AP Statistics covers a lot of information that you should know in length and depth.  

The first big idea you should remember is data exploration, which includes graphical analysis and numerical techniques. Key topics include variability, location, standard deviation, and unusual values in data to get conjectures, association, causation, etc. Students also learn to compare different data sets to discover patterns and draw conclusions.  

The next big idea is sampling and experiments, with the focus on data collection. Topics include multiple data collection methods, data analysis methods, and their application. 

The third big idea is anticipating patterns, which relies primarily on the study of probability and data distribution. Students will study variation in data patterns and probability distribution. 

The final big idea is statistical inference, which discusses appropriate statistical models. Students learn how to estimate population parameters and test hypotheses. Important topics include margins of error, confidence intervals, p-value, test of significance, and so on.  

Besides those big ideas, you should also memorize and be familiar with the formulas used on the AP Statistics exam. The formulas can be found on page 260 of AP Statistics Course Guide.

formula ap statistics
formula ap statistics 2

#2 Practice, Practice, practice 

For the multiple-choice questions, you can take practice tests on College Board (page 240) or other websites online like Stat Trek. As you go through all the questions, remember to keep track of the questions you got wrong, and review them again. For the free-response questions, College Board released the past free-response questions from the 1998 to 2018 exams for you to gain further practice.  

As of April 8, 2021, you can also try out the Digital Practice Exam to be more familiar with the software and format of the exam.  

#3 Plan your study strategically  

Below is an example of a to-do list provided by the Senior VP of Advanced Placement at the College Board. We recommend that you set up a strategic study plan depending on how much time you have left until the AP test. With proper planning, you won’t overload yourself with the AP Statistics coursework and gain enough practice before the actual exam.  

ap exam checklist

Introducing Aralia Test Preparation Bootcamp, where students can excel in standardized tests with our comprehensive approach. At Aralia, we prioritize maximizing study efficiency and accelerating score improvement through a combination of practice examinations, expert strategies, and personalized guidance. Our Bootcamp offers students the opportunity to achieve significant score improvements within a condensed timeframe by learning strategic approaches tailored to their individual needs. With instructors who are AP readers, students benefit from expert teaching and gain valuable insights into exam techniques. Furthermore, our program equips students with versatile skills and strategies that can be applied to a range of standardized tests, ensuring they are well-prepared to adapt to various exam types.

scoring worksheet

FREE 2024 AP Scoring Worksheet

With the scoring worksheet, you will be able to calculate your target score in preparation for the upcoming exam in May. We also have a full scoring worksheet available  below if you want to print it out and keep it in your folder. 

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