Cracking the Exam : Cracking the Exam Mr. Ryan Folmer
Mt. St. Joseph High School
Preparing for Test Day : Preparing for Test Day Start studying now… we have less than a month to the exam.
Do practice essays and exams (we will do some in class, but take the time to do them at home as well)
In the last week before the test move to the “big picture.”
Preparing for Test Day : Preparing for Test Day On test day (May 8, 12pm) arrive on time. Make sure you have eaten breakfast/lunch and you can bring a snack.
Bring several pencils and pens.
Preparing will help you be less anxious.
Maintain a steady pace and do not spend a lot of time on one question.
Multiple Choice : Multiple Choice You have 55 mins to complete the 80 question section – pace yourself appropriately.
Scoring - +1 for correct answer, -1/4 for incorrect answer, 0 for an answer left blank – what to do?... Guess if you can eliminate one of more choices, if not leave it blank (you should only leave a few blank in the end).
Multiple Choice : Multiple Choice Questions are 1/3 political, 1/3 cultural, 1/3 socio-economic.
½ of the questions come from the time period 1450 to 1815, the other ½ comes from the 1815 to the present period.
Questions are presented in chronological order groups of 4 to 7 questions – use this to help you.
Multiple Choice : Multiple Choice Look for “big picture” answers to questions, the College Board is not trying to trick you.
You WILL NOT be asked military history questions.
Use context clues and when in doubt use common sense.
The Essays : The Essays General guidelines to follow when answering all of the essays
Make sure you are answering the question that is being asked (all parts).
Choose a thesis and create an outline before you start writing.
Stick to one important idea per paragraph and support with facts.
The Essays : The Essays Write clearly and neatly in simple sentences using complex vocabulary when appropriate.
Use transition words!
Always place your answers in the context of EUROPEAN history.
Use concrete facts whenever you can (at least two to support each of the themes addressed in the essay)
Document-Based Questions : Document-Based Questions DBQ consists of essay question, historical context and 10 to 12 documents.
You have 15 min reading period (you can outline and plan, but not write in answer book) and 45 mins to write the essay.
No single correct answer: many possible interpretations.
Start by reading the question and making sure you answer it.
Document-Based Questions : Document-Based Questions Using the questions as a guide, brainstorm possible answers and thesis before you look at the documents.
Read the documents and begin to organize them within your thesis and groups.
Decide on a thesis and create an outline.
Do not use the historical background in essay.
Document-Based Questions : Document-Based Questions Introductory paragraph should set the scene, state the thesis (groups should be considered here.)
Use as many of the documents as you can.
Make sure the essay takes on a logical order.
Document-Based Questions : Document-Based Questions Remember the rubric – you must hit the core… (1-6)
Good thesis that addresses all part of the question.
Discuss a majority of the documents.
Shows understanding of the meaning of the documents.
Documents and thesis match in interpretation.
Shows point of view (or bias) in at least three documents.
Organized documents into at least three groups (should match thesis).
…before you can get more. (7, 8 or 9)
Excellent thesis, use all documents, additional groupings, additional bias, outside historical knowledge, skillful use of the documents, etc.
Free-Response Questions : Free-Response Questions FRQ consists of two groups of three questions each (group 1 up to 1815, group 2 since 1815).
Choose the questions you know the most about (not the easiest).
Make sure you answer the question and are not writing about the topic in some other way.
Free-Response Questions : Free-Response Questions Circle key words in the questions – pay particular attention to people, places, events and dates to put it in the proper context.
Answer all parts of the question. Do not ignore any aspects – if you do not know do you best with what you do know.
Organize you thoughts – you may look at this during the 15 min reading period.
Free-Response Questions : Free-Response Questions Decide on a thesis and create an outline of your essay.
Stick to one important idea per paragraph and support with at least two facts.
Stick to the question – do not go on tangents.
You have little time to answer essays – stay focused on what is being asked. FRQs are responsible for more than ¼ of your grade.