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Department Hosts AP® Statistics Mock Exam

On April 22, the Department of Statistics hosted its inaugural AP® Statistics Mock Exam. The event served two main purposes; to help high school teachers learn how AP® Statistics Exams are scored and to prepare high school students for the actual AP® Statistics Exam.

Cullen Stevens and Laura Ziegler
Cullen Stevens and Laura Ziegler
Stephanie Steines and Ann Cannon
Stephanie Steines and Ann Cannon
Warren Lofgren, Wes Cox, and Anna Peterson
Warren Lofgren, Wes Cox, and Anna Peterson

 

The event was organized by Statistics faculty member Laura Ziegler. Many faculty members provided help to make the event a success including Anna Peterson (ISU), Wesley Cox (ISU), Amy Froelich (ISU), Michelle Larson (retired from Iowa University), Barb Barnett (AP® Statistics Chief Reader and ISU alum), and Ann Cannon (AP® Statistics Assistant Chief Reader and ISU alum). Assistance also came from ISU undergraduate students (Srika Raja, Cadine Adza, Emily Allen) and graduate students (Martin Silerio Vazquez, Maya Irvin-Vitela).

Maya Irvin-Vitela and Martin Silerio Vazquez
Maya Irvin-Vitela and Martin Silerio Vazquez
Barb Barnett, Michelle Larson, and Aaron Evans
Barb Barnett, Michelle Larson, and Aaron Evans

 

High school students and teachers came from Ankeny Centennial High School, Norwalk Community High School, and Decorah High School. The students and teachers were very positive about their experience.

 

High school teachers:  

The discussions of the development of the scoring rubrics with these individuals provided invaluable insight on how I can improve my student's approach to answering items on the exam. My students felt that the opportunity to take an entire exam in a proctored setting reduced their anxiety about taking the actual exam, as they now have a better idea of what to expect. They also like hearing from the faculty and current students about the program at ISU.

I appreciate the AP Exam and it was impressive to see all the work that the people who attended/spoke have put into the process over the years.  It was quite beneficial to discuss the material and how it is evaluated on the AP exam with so many experts in the field.  It was an excellent opportunity for me to widen my knowledge and experience outside of my everyday contacts.

 

Students taking Mock AP Statistics Exam

 

Students:

The Mock Exam definitely helped me prepare for the actual exam by giving me a chance to prepare for what the true testing environment would look and feel like, what the questions would be like, and by acting as a test for what concepts/units I needed to review and which I understood well enough already.

I had a wonderful experience. The test was very representative of the actual exam, while being easy to sign up for and take. The activities were fun and the immediate feedback gave me a great idea on what I needed to study, which was my reason for taking the test.

We look forward to hosting another AP® Statistics Mock Exam in 2024!

Instructors interested in seeing the mock exam should contact Laura Ziegler at lziegler@iastate.edu.

AP® is a trademark registered by College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse Iowa State University’s (events, programs, etc.)