AP Statistics: A Comprehensive Guide

AP Statistics: A Comprehensive Guide

Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics is a great choice for those looking to dive into college-level statistics while still in high school. Designed to match one semester of a non-calculus-based introductory college statistics course, AP Stats is taught over one or two semesters, depending on the high school. 

AP Stats is a concept-based course seeking to provide students with the foundations of statistics while still in high school; if you are interested in transforming your course load and taking that first step to get ahead, it may be the perfect class for you. But if you’re unsure about AP exams in general and don’t quite get all the hype, we’ll also explain what they are, how they’re scored, and how they can be beneficial for you in the future. 

AP Exams: a Breakdown

Advanced Placement exams are yearly, college-level tests offered across the United States to high school students. These multi-hour tests are in a wide range of subjects, ranging from languages to science to history; every May, students take this test after completing the class to see how they performed. 

Just like all of The College Board’s 38 AP exams, AP Statistics is scored on a scale from 1-5; students who score a 5 are deemed extremely well qualified, 4 very well qualified, 3 qualified, 2 possibly qualified, and 1 no recommendation. Graded by a combination of high school and university teachers and professors, scores are released in early July. 

We can break down the benefits of taking an AP exam into three main points:

1. You could receive college credit: it varies from university to university, but a score of 3, 4, or 5 could count for college credit, meaning that your tuition would be reduced, an introductory-level class could be skipped, or you could graduate ahead of schedule.
2. It looks good on college applications: even if you don’t end up scoring high enough to receive college credit, the very fact that you were accepted into and took a college-level course is very attractive to admissions offices. And in some high schools, AP courses are weighted heavier in your GPA, meaning that your GPA or your class rank could be higher.
3. It helps bridge the gap between high school and college: you’ve heard the transition from high school to college can be tough, due to the various changes you’ll experience. AP courses can help you get familiar with what a college-level course would be like while you’re still in high school, making one part of that transition easier later on. 

AP Exams vs SAT Subject Tests

You might have heard of SAT Subject Tests, which are specific exams, similar to AP exams, that test knowledge in one specific area. SAT Subject Tests are just one hour long and only multiple choice; AP exams last a few hours and boast both multiple choice questions and short answer responses. 

SAT Subject Tests are created to test the general high school knowledge that a student would have while AP exams, as you know, are designed to be college-level courses. However, as of June 2021, SAT Subject Tests will no longer be offered. 

AP Statistics

In your AP Stats class, a major focus will be placed on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, using activities, projects, and experiments to put what you’ve learned into practice. Across its nine units, organized by each specific teacher, students will develop the following skills: selecting methods for data collection/analysis, describing data patterns, trends, association, and relationships, using probability and simulation to describe probability distributions, defining uncertainty in statistical inference, and using statical reasoning to correctly interpret and defend data. 

Let’s break down each unit and discuss what is taught, how the information is tested on the exam, and some sample topics. Remember that although the exam and curriculum are established by The College Board, each teacher is free to deliver and teach the material as they see fit. 

Unit 1: Exploring One-Variable Data 

This first unit makes up 15-23% of the total exam score and serves as an introduction to how statisticians work with data and use data to make good decisions. Possible topics could be categorical and quantitative variable variation, the normal distribution, data representation, data distribution comparisons, and interpreting statistics. 

Unit 2: Exploring Two-Variable Data 

During the second unit, you’ll take the foundations you built during Unit 1 and move on to two-variable data, model predictions, and comparing distributions. Making up 5-7% of the final score, you could encounter linear regression models, bivariate data, residuals and residual plots, departures from linearity, and more. 

 Unit 3: Collect Data 

It’s time to start using your own data and study design and randomization, learning how to interpret results to use the data effectively. You might be tasked with designing an experiment and interpreting its results, trying various sampling methods and exploring bias in sampling methods. Unit 3 makes up 12-15% of the exam score. 

Unit 4: Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions 

For 10-20% of the exam score, you will be introduced to probability and its distributions, exploring the binomial and geometric distributions, calculating probability, and estimating probabilities using simulation. 

Unit 5: Sampling Distributions 

Unit 5 will provide you with a basic understanding of sampling distributions to make up 7-12% of the total exam score. You will learn about the central limit theorem, biased and unbiased point strategies, and sampling distributions for sample proportions and means. 

Unit 6: Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions 

Now more than halfway through the course, you’ll further your studies by learning about inference procedures for proportions of a categorical variable, creating the foundation for a clear understanding of statistical inference. Worth 12-15% of the exam score, you’ll explore Type I and Type II errors in significance testing, the details of confidence intervals and tests, and setting up and carrying out a test for a population proportion.

Unit 7: Inference for Quantitative Data: Means 

During the seventh unit, you’ll use what you learned in Unit 5 about inference to analyze quantitative data; you’ll tackle topics such as constructing and interpreting a confidence interval for a population mean, interpreting a p-value and justifying claims, and confidence intervals and tests for the difference of 2 population means. This unit is worth 10-18% of the final exam score. 

Unit 8: Inference for Categorical Data: Chi-Square 

This unit, worth 2-5% of the exam score, will focus entirely on chi-square tests, used for situations with two or more categorical variables, including using this test of goodness of fit, homogeneity, and independence. 

Unit 9: Inference for Quantitative Data: Slopes 

In this last unit, you’ll learn about slopes, constructing confidence intervals and performing significance tests for said slope. Making up 2-5% of the exam score, potential topics could be selecting an appropriate inference procedure, setting up and carrying out a test for the slope of a regression model, and confidence intervals for the slope of a regression model. 

Is AP Stats for you? 

If you’re considering taking AP Stats, you’ve probably thought about its potential benefits and want to make sure that you’re making the right choice for your future. Although statistics is a branch of math, it isn’t a typical math course in the way that calculus is perceived; it focuses more on the conceptual side of numbers. In addition to being an option for a wide range of students, what you learn in AP Stats can be applied to a variety of majors and jobs, making it quite attractive on your resume. 

College Majors for AP Stats Students 

The basis of statistics is smart decision making, and that’s something that will come up in practically every major and field. In fact, the majority of liberal arts colleges require some sort of math class, and statistics is a good option for students who aren’t set on calculus, trig, or other number-heavy courses. But even if you aren’t required to take a math class in college, the knowledge you’ll receive from your AP Stats course can be useful in almost every major,  specifically advertising, marketing, communications, social work, engineering, business, and anthropology. 

Career Paths for AP Stats Students 

Just like with college majors, your career options are wide open with statistics. Data is becoming increasingly important across practically every industry; exercise science to math to criminal justice: the world is your oyster.

AP Statistics: The Exam

Now that you know what taking the AP Stats class entails, let’s dive into the exam itself. As we mentioned before, every student in the US will take the exam at approximately the same time in May. In 2022, the average pass rate on all AP exams was 66%. However, 60% of those taking the AP Statistics test scored a 3 or higher in 2022 with the following breakdown: 

• 5: 14.8%
• 4: 22.2%
• 3: 23.4%
• 2: 16.5%
• 1: 23.1%

Scoring

There are 46 total questions on the exam, 40 multiple choice questions followed by six free response questions, totaling 3 hours. Both sections carry the same weight.

• Section 1: Multiple choice
  • 40 questions, 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of total score
  • The questions either stand alone or are sets of questions based on the same problem.
• Section 2: Free response: 
  • 6 questions, 1 hour 30 minutes, 50% of total score
  • Part A:
    • 1 multipart question focused on collecting data
    • 1 multipart question focused on exploring data
    • 1 multipart question focused on probability and sampling distributions 
    • 1 question focused on inference
    • 1 question combining 2 or more skill categories
  • Part B:
    • 1 investigative task testing multiple areas in new contexts

Studying for the test 

It can be hard to focus on exam preparation months before the exam, but the truth is that AP exams test material that was taught throughout the entire year, not just the last months. Try following these tips: 

• Stay current with the material throughout the year: if something doesn’t make sense in October, make sure you go to your teacher with any doubts. AP Stats is a class that builds on previous knowledge, so having a solid foundation is essential.
• Invest in additional materials: as one of the most popular AP exams, the amount of supplementary materials is quite vast. Doing practice questions throughout the year can help you get additional experience before the test.
• Practice your time management skills: the test itself can be stressful, and you can find yourself taking too long on a certain question. Timing yourself on practice tests can help you measure your time carefully.
• Look at tests from previous years: The College Board periodically releases tests from previous years; this can help you both simulate taking an actual exam and get an idea of the exam’s style.

And if you’re looking for specific tools to help you ace the exam, look no further: 

• Barron’s AP Statistics Test Prep: there’s no better way to prepare for an exam than by practicing with problems that are slightly harder than what will be on the test. And Barron’s test prep books are known for precisely that. 
• 5 Steps to a 5: AP Statistics: if you’re looking for a breakdown of both the material and the actual process of studying, this is for you. Get helpful tips on setting up your study plan, taking practice tests, and even tips for exam day. 

Let’s Sum it Up 

AP Statistics is a great choice for practically any student who’s interested in getting college credit, improving their college applications, and receiving a solid foundation in the discipline. With this course, you will be prepared for a future in practically any area; no matter your interest or future plans, you can take advantage of a statistics foundation to excel. 

With 38 different exams across a wide range of subjects, your perfect AP exam is waiting for you. If you’re thinking a more number-based math course is for you, consider taking AP Calculus; if you are set on showing college admissions teams your proficiency in French, AP French sounds like the right fit. No matter what you choose, we’re here to make your dreams a reality.