Introduction: Why FRQs Are the Gatekeeper to a 5
The free-response questions (FRQs) make up 50% of your AP Statistics score. Many students feel confident on multiple choice but lose ground on FRQs — usually because they don’t explain enough, forget context, or skip key steps.
This guide will show you how to:
- Understand the FRQ structure.
- Write answers that graders love.
- Avoid common traps.
- Practice using RevisionDojo’s FRQ bank and rubrics.
Step 1: Structure of the FRQ Section
- 6 questions total:
- 5 shorter FRQs.
- 1 investigative task (longer, integrative).
- 90 minutes total.
- Graders use rubrics broken into parts (E = essentially correct, P = partially correct, I = incorrect).
Key: Even partial work earns points. Never leave blanks.
Step 2: The Four Essentials of a Full-Credit Answer
- Hypotheses stated correctly (when applicable).
- Conditions checked before running inference.
- Calculations shown (test statistic, p-value, CI, etc.).
- Conclusion in context (tied back to the real-world problem).
RevisionDojo’s I CAN rubric:
- Identify test.
- Check conditions.
- Analyze results.
- arrate conclusion.
