The Ultimate Guide to the AP Statistics Exam

Overview

• Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025 at 8:00 am
• Format: Hybrid digital exam
  • Multiple-choice questions in Bluebook app
  • Free-response questions handwritten

Exam Structure

• Total Length: 3 hours
• Sections:
  • Multiple Choice
    • 40 questions
    • 90 minutes
    • Worth 50% of exam score
    • Average time per question: ~2 minutes
  • Free Response
    • 5 short-answer questions
    • 1 Investigative Task
    • 90 minutes total
    • Worth 50% of exam score
    • Short-answer: ~12 minutes each
    • Investigative Task: ~30 minutes

Exam Content

• Units Covered:
  1. Exploring One-Variable Data (15-23% of exam)
  2. Exploring Two-Variable Data (5-7% of exam)
  3. Collecting Data (12-15% of exam)
  4. Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions (10-20% of exam)
  5. Sampling Distributions (7-12% of exam)
  6. Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions (12-15% of exam)
  7. Inference for Quantitative Data: Means (10-18% of exam)
  8. Inference for Categorical Data: Chi-Square (2-5% of exam)
  9. Inference for Quantitative Data: Slopes (2-5% of exam)

Sample Questions

• Multiple-Choice: Analyze charts/graphs.
• Short-Answer: Multi-part questions (~12 minutes each).
• Investigative Task: In-depth, multi-part problem (~30 minutes).

Grading

• Multiple Choice:
  • 1 point per correct answer
  • No penalty for wrong answers
• Free Response:
  • Scored out of 24 points (0-4 per question)
  • Holistically graded

Scoring

• Estimating Your Score:
  1. Multiply correct multiple-choice answers by 1.25
  2. Add free-response questions 1-5 scores and multiply by 1.875
  3. Multiply free-response question 6 score by 3.125
  4. Add all scores for Composite Score
• Score Conversion:
  • Based on Composite Score, determine AP score (1-5)
  • Distribution of scores provided for 2024

Preparation Tips

1. Answer Entire Free-Response Questions:
   • Be comprehensive; holistic grading requires full solutions.
2. Use Your Calculator Effectively:
   • Familiarize yourself with your calculator to save time.
3. Know Your Vocabulary:
   • Understand key terms to enhance explanations and answers.

Resources

• Practice Tests:
  • Official: 2012, 1997 Complete Tests, Free-Response 1998-2024
• Study Tips:
  • Practice exams and grading for self-estimation
  • Focus on free response questions, calculator skills, and vocabulary

Additional Resources

• Guides to statistical significance, hardest AP exams, and math class selections
• PrepScholar's advice blog for further guidance and tips