Welcome to AP Statistics!

Statistics is one of my favorite classes and I am very excited to be teaching you this year.

To take a moment to plug AP Statistics and my version of it, I want to highlight two important details.

1. Statistics is the single most required class in college. Not just most required math class, but most required class, period. Knowledge of statistics is needed for a career in medicine, business, science, and more.
2. AP Statistics will give you that course while having some fun experiments and at a fraction of the cost. And for any worried that you won't get that college credit: every single student I have ever had in AP Statistics in May took the exam and passed it, most getting 4s or 5s.

Materials Needed

You probably came to this page wondering what materials you need for class. You'll need to bring:

1. A notebook specifically for our class, or with a designated space for us. You need to be able to quickly access your daily homework in order as needed (so you might need to be able to display homework from two days ago, and then back to the current homework quickly).
2. A graphing calculator. If you already have one you should be fine to keep using it, but I strongly recommend a TI calculator. If you are buying a new calculator, I would recommend a TI-Nspire CX (from ebay, where you should be able to get one between $50-70). I will demonstrate the TI-Nspire in class and the CX is usable on all standardized testing--including the ACT. Don't buy the TI-Nspire CAS as it is not usable on the ACT and therefore not recommended at Hamilton. We will have a few TI-84's in class if you forget your calculator, but ideally have your own so that you can use it at home too.
3. Writing utensils
   • Expo markers (for use on small whiteboards I'll provide)
   • Pencils or dark colored pens (for regular writing)
   • Red or other colored pens (for corrections)
4. You! Come prepared to think, talk, and maybe even occasionally smile. This is a college-level class and we will be regularly investigating hypotheses that will require your brains. Hopefully, we'll do it in such a way that you can still have fun, but there is definitely a lot of thinking needed.

Grades

The second most common question asked is about grades. First answer: you will indeed get them. You will regularly receive grades and should be able to see them at all times on infinite campus. Each quarter will be made up of:

• 15% Assignments
• 15% Quizzes
• 70% Tests

But what about the final and AP exams, you ask? Well. Your final will be 20% of your grade each semester. For those of you who do not take the AP, your final exam will be comparable to a full length AP Statistics exam and split over multiple days, starting the day the other students are taking the AP. For those of you who do take the AP, your final will consist of only the multiple choice portion on the regular final day, and you will be eligible to receive a boost to both semesters' grades equivalent to:

• a 3% boost to both semesters' grades if you receive a 3 on the exam,
• a 5% boost to both semesters' grades if you receive a 4 on the exam, &
• a 7% boost to both semesters' grades if you receive a 5 on the exam.

Office Hours.

Every weekday morning 6:45 - 7:20 am or by appointment. Everyone is encouraged to come to office hours to seek help with homework problems or discuss concepts from class—remember, math is cumulative so be sure that if you need help to get it as soon as possible! No appointments are necessary for this time, simply drop by room M5 and I'll be here.

Tips from previous years' students.

● Practice AP MCQs and FRQs all the time. Make sure to read the “why” on the scoring.
● Do more homework, it helps!
● Review past quizzes and tests.
● Save notes from previous quarters / make note of key words needed for FRQs. 
● Don't be too stressed about it, also do your best to do your work and take notes on paper if that's something that helps you.
● Use Khan Academy/AP Classroom/your textbook/soft schools as an extra study source.

What to Expect When You're Expecting (an AP Test).

The last thing people tend to come to websites for: information about what to do once the AP day arrives (and when is the AP day for this test again?). Our test will be in the morning on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

What to bring.

1. Two sharpened #2 pencils (for the multiple choice).
2. Two pens with dark blue or black ink (for the free response).
3. Graphing calculator.
   • You may also bring a second calculator, such as a scientific calculator if you are faster with that for basic computations.
   • Charge it the night before or bring extra batteries (just in case!)
4. Current photo ID (school or drivers license both work).
5. A bagged snack. Sustenance is important to doing your best!

When to check in.

Please be at the testing site (most likely the church across from our school) at 7:30am on May 8. This is a good time to quiz each other one last time and check your notes (but make sure all materials are left outside the exam room!) before the exam begins. Proctors will check your ID and calculator as you enter.

Do not bring anything else with you

including book bags, personal electronics, etc. None of them can enter the test room. You can leave them with me ahead of time and I'll keep them in my classroom, or they have to sit outside the test room because they cannot enter.

Good luck!