AP Statistics Scoring Guidelines 2024

General Information

• Published by College Board
• AP Central is the official online home for the AP Program

Question 1: Focus on Inference (4 points)

Overview

• Scored in three sections: hypotheses, conditions and calculations, conclusion
• Each section scored as Essentially Correct (E), Partially Correct (P), or Incorrect (I)
• Score categories: 0 to 4 based on section scores

Section 1: Hypotheses and Test Identification

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Identifies a two-sample z-test for population proportions
  2. States null hypothesis (equal proportions) and two-sided alternative hypothesis
  3. Provides context by referencing age groups and populations

Section 2: Conditions and Calculations

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Independence and 10% condition checks
  2. Sample size verification (at least 10)
  3. Correct z-statistic calculation
  4. Correct p-value reporting

Section 3: Conclusion

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Compares p-value to alpha and makes correct decision
  2. States conclusion with context and non-definitive language

Question 2: Focus on Exploring Data (4 points)

Part (a)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Correct segmentation of bar graphs for given proportions
  2. Three equal areas in middle schools graph

Part (b)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. States elementary administrator is incorrect
  2. Mathematical support showing middle school sold more
  3. Context included

Part (c)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Proportion of large bottles higher at High School A
  2. Correct reasoning based on height or frequencies
  3. Larger number of large bottles at High School B
  4. Correct area comparison

Question 3: Focus on Sampling and Experimental Design (4 points)

Part (a)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Identifies as observational study
  2. Justification (no treatment imposed)
  3. Context included

Part (b)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Appropriate labels for units/treatments
  2. Correct random process implementation
  3. 35 days assigned to each treatment

Part (c)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. More cars must be sampled
  2. Random sampling required for generalization
  3. Context of population interest included

Question 4: Probability and Sampling Distributions (4 points)

Part (a)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Correctly calculates mean and standard deviation
  2. Supporting work shown

Part (b)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. Correct probability calculations for opening 3 and 4 geodes
  2. Supporting work shown

Part (c)

• Criteria for Essentially Correct (E):
  1. States correct mean consistent with part (b)
  2. Interpretation includes repetition, average, and context

Scoring for Questions

• Complete Response: All parts essentially correct
• Substantial Response: Majority of parts essentially correct
• Developing Response: Mix of correct and partially correct
• Minimal Response: Few correct parts

Holistic Scoring

• Consider communication quality and holistic understanding for borderline cases.

Note: This guide summarizes the structured approach to scoring AP Statistics questions by focusing on key criteria for each section and part of the questions, providing a framework for evaluating responses as correct, partially correct, or incorrect.