Multiple Choice: 100 questions in 90 minutes!
60% of the exam! (Should take ~1 minute per question)
There is NO penalty if you answer a question incorrectly. Therefore--guess if you need to!
Discern question type:
**Definitional
**Negative questions (al of the following EXCEPT)
**Multiple correct answers (a,b, a & b)
**Solutions to problems
**Graph analysis
Essay: 4 essays in 90 minutes!
40% of the exam! (10% for each question!)
#2 is always a math question!
Test taking advice:
**Answer what you can! Your answers do not have to be in order! BUT….be sure to label question sections for the readers! (1a, 3d …)
**Be legible! Blue or black ink is preferred! Pencil tends to smudge during shipping!
**Use complete sentences! No bullet points nor single word answers!
**Leave a few spaces/lines between each essay!
Document based question:
**Sometimes restating a bit of the contained material helps but not often. Don't waste time restating the question. Don't waste time with opinions--just show the science!
**If you make a mistake, line out--you can't use white out!
Data-Analysis Question: (Math)
**This question will start with something that is not math related.
**The second part of the question usually contains the numbers.
**If you need to use dimensional analysis, indicate ALL units!
**You can earn a set-up point if the calculation is wrong.
Synthesis & Evaluation Questions: (questions 3 & 4)
**Could be an experimental design
**Indicate control and experimental conditions
**Indicate hypothesis
**Helps to include:
repeated trials,
time to let experiment run
type of data collected
type of results expected
**Control should only test 1 variable
**Indiating signficance of results by using statistical methods often results in getting a point.
Key Points:
**If a question asks for a # of items, for examples, list 2 greenhouse gasses, 3 point sources, 2 consequences, etc, then the first two items given will be evaluated, correct or not. Laundry lists will not gain points on your essay!
**Avoid 6th grade terms -- 'pollution' --> this word is never worth enough on its own. Give an example of what the pollution is!
**'Hurts the environment' when used by itself is worth nothing. Change this to 'habitat destruction, etc.--the idea will be more point worthy. It would be better to EXPLAIN more about the habitat destruction!
**Practice with terms seen in essays:
*Distinguish
*Describe
*Define (although not used much)
*Explain
*Economic effects/incentives (It's not good to use the word subsidies!)
*Environmental effects
**Vocabulary is the most common stumblish block in all question types. You may want to study the EP Environmental Science Word List I have posted on my website!