Statistics Assignment

Action Plan

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Preparing an Action Plan

Step 1: Review the Topical Outline
The AP Statistics Exam focuses on four specific topic areas. Even though they weren't
always presented as such, all the concepts and procedures that you've learned in this
course fall under one of these topic areas. Though each of these topics is vital for
understanding statistics, they aren't given equal weight on the Exam. Also, you will see
many questions that require you to apply concepts from multiple topics.
1. Exploring Data
This topic deals with recognizing patterns in data, and recognizing when these patterns
are disrupted. You should be able to plot data on graphs and construct other visual
representations of data, and you should be able to interpret these. In addition, you
should be able to look at numerical displays of data and calculate simple measurements,
such as median, mean, standard deviation, and percentiles. You should also be able to
interpret these measurements to find patterns and unusual features.
2. Planning Research
This topic deals with methods of gathering data. There's a lot of terminology involved in
this topic that you need to be familiar with. In addition, you should understand how to
plan experiments and studies in ways that will result in scientifically accurate results.
You should understand which research methodologies and which sampling models are
appropriate in specific situations.
3. Probability
This topic deals with probability theory and simulation. You should understand the
underlying principles of probability theory, and be able to apply these principles in
analyses of distributions of data. You should understand the properties of the normal
distribution, and you should be able to work with various types of sampling distributions.
4. Inference
This topic deals with analyzing data to see whether hypotheses and models are valid.
This involves working with confidence intervals and significance tests. You've learned
many ways of computing these statistics, and you must be able to choose which of these
is appropriate to use in a given problem.
Step 2: Review the Course Outline
Now you get to review the past several months of your life. Look back over your course
outline. As you do so, keep in mind the four topic areas explained above. Under which topic
area would you place each element of the course?

_____________

Copyright 2000 Apex Learning Inc. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of
registered users only. No portion of these materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the
express written permission of Apex Learning Inc.

Statistics Assignment
Action Plan

Page 2 of 3

Step 3: Prepare Your Action Plan

Your action plan will be a schedule for you to follow as you prepare for the AP Statistics
Exam and the Apex Final Exam. To prepare your action plan, follow these steps:
1. Draw a grid like the one below. Include all the weeks you have remaining before the AP
Statistics Exam. (If you don't know the date of your Exam, go look it up at on The College
Board's Web site.)
Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Sun

2. Next, make a schedule for yourself. Look at the outline for this review unit, and for each
day decide how much time you'll spend working through the unit in review. Try to
spread your work out evenlydon't try to do everything in just a few days. One hour of
review every day for three weeks will serve you much better than trying to cram 20
hours of study into two days.
Tips for Making an Action Plan:
Gather Your Materials
In the first few days of your schedule, spend some time gathering your materials
together. Find your Reviews and Quizzes from each unit. Gather these into one
convenient folder or binder so they can be easily referenced. Any other activities you
have available, especially those containing computer output, should also be gathered for
review.
Plan on a Variety of Activities
Schedule a wide variety of review activities for yourself. If you do the activities in this
unit, the activities will include plenty of practice multiple-choice and free-response
questions. Don't just schedule time to take tests, thoughyou'll also need to spend time
analyzing your answers. Once you've determined whether some topics are more difficult
for you than others, work through the resources (previous Unit Reviews, Assignments,
Online Exercises, Tutorials, and so on) you have that cover those topics. Make use of the
whole range of materials you have available to you. You may, for example, want to
review by watching Tutorials from the topics you find especially difficult. Don't forget to
include some time to review computer output. You might even want to reread
instructions on how to perform various functions on your calculator.
See Statistics as a Whole, and Anticipate Holistic Questions
Though you'll want to schedule time to review the materials that are especially
challenging for you, don't just review topic-by-topic. Look at the material as a whole.
Try to formulate questions that will require you to use elements from all four of the topic
areas mentioned above. You should also put yourself through at least one timed practice
test to see how you perform under simulated AP Exam conditions.

_____________

Copyright 2000 Apex Learning Inc. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of
registered users only. No portion of these materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the
express written permission of Apex Learning Inc.

Statistics Assignment
Action Plan

Page 3 of 3

Keep a Balanced Schedule

As you get to the final part of your schedule, don't try to cram a lot in at the end. Keep
yourself balanced and don't overburden yourself. Also, don't schedule any study time
the night before the AP Exam. Instead, do something you enjoyspend some time with
friends, go to a movie, or go out to eat. Whatever you choose, though, make sure you
get to bed early. Relaxing the night before the Exam will help you to be more focused
when you're taking the Exam.
Step 4: Review and Revise Your Plan
Once you've completed your activity plan, review it. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Am I really going to be able to put in the time that I've estimated here?
2. Am I making use of all of the resources available to me?
3. Have I scheduled time to analyze my performance and determine the topics I most need
to review?
4. Am I looking at statistics as a whole rather than simply as a collection of parts?
5. Have I distributed the workload across the time available, or am I going to have to cram
at the last minute?
6. Have I incorporated a rest and relaxation period for the night before the Exam?
7. If necessary, revise your plan.
Step 5: Keep Your Plan Accessible, Follow Through, and Adjust Your Plan If
Necessary
Put your action plan in a place where you'll see it on a daily basis. Tell your friends or family
members about it and ask them to keep you accountable. Then stick to your plan!
Be Flexible
If you start to implement your plan and find that it's really not working out, change your
plan so it works better. Just be sure to have a plan in place, and keep using your time well
by reviewing and doing practice problems.
Your Assignment:
Follow steps 1-4 to make an action plan. Then send the plan to your Online
Instructor, who will respond with comments if he or she feels a need to offer some
guidance. (You'll get 25 points for submitting an action plan.)

_____________

Copyright 2000 Apex Learning Inc. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of
registered users only. No portion of these materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the
express written permission of Apex Learning Inc.