Tuesday, May 09, 2006
AP Chemistry: 5
Ten short/long months ago, we started our extensive preparation for tomorrow's exam- the culmination of the AP Chemistry course. I thank you all for your dedication throughout the year in this, the fastest paced course in our school (sometimes I had to talk faster than those shady disclaimer guys at the end of car and pharmaceutical commercials).
Tomorrow, it will be time to show off your knowledge. By show off, I mean that you should display your test-taking skills and your relatively vast chemistry knowledge. There will be many questions that need to be read carefully, especially in part I; you should carefully annotate most questions (parts I and II) and underline/CIRCLE any data, units and, of course, what is actually asked for. This will keep you focused on what you need to do.
You don't have to be calm for the exam; calm is overrated and can actually be counterproductive. Put all of your excess energy into the test; go the extra distance by writing things out clearly and in detail. READ WHAT YOU WROTE, if only once after you wrote it.
DRAW, DRAW, DRAW pictures, sketches, graphs , diagrams, orbital diagrams, configurations....you are helping YOURSELF when you keep track of information that you can SEE instead of keeping everything in your mind.
Take a 20 or 30 second break if you need to once in a while...make sure that a window or three are open and do not use shallow breaths (though deep breathing will make you seem psychotic, too- so just breathe normally).
So, put on your game face tomorrow. You are prepared; I have a "decent" record of preparing students for standardized tests. This class is on the verge of breaking the scoring record tomorrow. You only take the AP Chem exam once- make it an exceptional performance after which you have no regrets and a sense of catharsis and great accomplishment.
See you tomorrow for our last second prep, calculator check and timer check!
Good night, sleep as well as you can; I'll have bagels in the AM (carbs = thinking =points on the AP)
Tomorrow, it will be time to show off your knowledge. By show off, I mean that you should display your test-taking skills and your relatively vast chemistry knowledge. There will be many questions that need to be read carefully, especially in part I; you should carefully annotate most questions (parts I and II) and underline/CIRCLE any data, units and, of course, what is actually asked for. This will keep you focused on what you need to do.
You don't have to be calm for the exam; calm is overrated and can actually be counterproductive. Put all of your excess energy into the test; go the extra distance by writing things out clearly and in detail. READ WHAT YOU WROTE, if only once after you wrote it.
DRAW, DRAW, DRAW pictures, sketches, graphs , diagrams, orbital diagrams, configurations....you are helping YOURSELF when you keep track of information that you can SEE instead of keeping everything in your mind.
Take a 20 or 30 second break if you need to once in a while...make sure that a window or three are open and do not use shallow breaths (though deep breathing will make you seem psychotic, too- so just breathe normally).
So, put on your game face tomorrow. You are prepared; I have a "decent" record of preparing students for standardized tests. This class is on the verge of breaking the scoring record tomorrow. You only take the AP Chem exam once- make it an exceptional performance after which you have no regrets and a sense of catharsis and great accomplishment.
See you tomorrow for our last second prep, calculator check and timer check!
Good night, sleep as well as you can; I'll have bagels in the AM (carbs = thinking =points on the AP)
# posted by C @ 7:38 PM 
