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AP microeconomics is a course often compared with AP macroeconomics and students are always wondering which one of those is harder. Well, let me answer it once and for all — AP microeconomics is easier than a macroeconomics course. But the question remains if it is harder as a subject or not.
Talking about the alumnae of the subject, they all recommend it and are of the opinion that it is easier to self-study the course due to understandable content. However, the average pass rate is 66%, and the mean score is 3.2 out of 5. So, yeah, the subject is quite easy if you concentrate properly and work hard.
Let’s find out the details based on the recent stats, and below I have shared some specific study tips for you if you’re still struggling with the exam.
Advanced Placement (AP) Microeconomics, commonly referred to as AP Microeconomics, is a College Board subject that forms part of the Advanced Placement Program. It is designed for high school students who wish to study microeconomics at a college level or want to earn college credit in advance.
The course starts by examining essential economic principles, including scarcity, opportunity costs, production possibilities, specialization, and comparative advantage. It also covers key subjects like the characteristics and operations of product markets and factor markets, as well as the concepts of efficiency, equity, and the government's role.
There are two parts to the AP Microeconomics exam: multiple-choice questions and free-response questions. In the multiple-choice section, different options are given to students to choose their answers from. In the free-response section, you have to write answers to specific questions in detail.
You can get a number between 1 and 5 on the AP Microeconomics test. Getting points for the multiple-choice part is based on how many answers you get right, and you don't get points for wrong answers.
The free-response part is graded by experienced college and AP teachers, who assess how well you understand and use microeconomic concepts.
The College Board adds up your scores on both the multiple-choice and free-response sections to give you an overall number. Students are given the exact scoring guidelines and rubrics for each part so that they can know how their answers will be thought of.
Keep in mind that while getting a good score on the AP Microeconomics test can earn you college credit and show that you understand the material, each college or university has its own rules about how much credit you can get.
Because of this, you should look into the credit policies of the schools you want to attend to find out how they might accept your AP Microeconomics score.
If you know how the AP Microeconomics test is set up and how points are awarded, you can better prepare for and feel more confident about taking it. Key things that can help you do well on the test are practicing, fully understanding the course material, and managing your time well.
If you compare it to other AP exams, the Economics test is one of the middle ones. In both Macro and Microeconomics at the AP level, about 20% of students always get a 5. This is a lot more than in other classes, where only 5–10% of students get this high point.
About 75,000 students take AP Macroeconomics every year, and 55,000 students take AP Microeconomics. Students studying microeconomics always get better grades in, but only by a few percentage points.
In the 2020 school year, 63.2% of students passed AP Macro with a grade of 3 or better, and 68.9% of students passed AP Micro. On the other hand, only 19.7% of students got a 5 in AP Macroeconomics and 23.3% got a 5 in AP Microeconomics.
We can see from these numbers that Macroeconomics is a little more complicated than Microeconomics. In contrast, 2020 is a bit of a rough outline because the gap is much more significant than in past years. Most of the time, the two themes are very similar, with percentages that are only 1-2% different.
If a student is having trouble with a subject, an economics tutor can help them by giving them individualized advice and support. This can make the tough AP classes easier to handle. They help students learn the subject, get better at studying, and do really well on tests.
AP Microeconomics covers the basics of microeconomics, such as supply and demand, how markets work, and how people act as consumers. It might be hard to understand these things at first but don't worry.
The course is meant to teach you these ideas one at a time. If you put in the time and effort, you can really understand the subject.
You'll need specific skills to do well in AP Microeconomics. It is assumed that you should be able to think critically, analyze, and use economic ideas in real life.
Look at plots, figure out what the data means, and find links between economic ideas. It might take some time to get better at these skills, but if you work at them and pay attention, you'll get it.
Keep in mind that AP Microeconomics can be challenging, but don't let that stop you. Have a good mood about the class, be ready to put in the work, and ask your teachers and classmates for help. It is possible to do well in AP Microeconomics if you set your mind to it and work hard.
Remember that everyone has a different story and that what's hard for one person might be easy for someone else. Accept the chance to learn and grow, and don't be afraid to face the task!
Examining your weak areas on a mock test may help you start your road toward this subject. You won't be able to determine where you are weakest precisely, hence you won't necessarily have to study past exams. Find practice tests on various different platforms online to assess where you stand. And do these tests regularly to get better.
After your first tests, you have to focus on developing a study schedule based on your weak areas. As you are organizing this, there are two things to give a thought to. Firstly, you should first consider the weak points from the course outline and link their respective exam importance. This allows you to prioritize based on both your weakness in that idea and its significance.
For instance, you should take note of the relevance of each topic if you performed poorly on profit, monopolies, and competitiveness. Although competition and monopolies are important, you will not be able to understand the concept until you first research how profits are calculated.
Given that the relationship between the several ideas is clear-cut, you will be able to deduce the relative relevance of these ideas merely by browsing the list. Finally, after noting down the importance of specific topics and their significance, you have a list of things to prepare.
You can now start your study once you have determined what you need to study!
Getting your study plan started starts with buying study guides you will use as references for the remainder of your studies. Based on the College Board's microeconomics class organization, Barron's study guides are an excellent illustration of a thorough study tool.
Once you have your preferred study guide, focus on honing your weak areas. Remember that during this period, you should be studying theoretical topics and also concentrating on creating graphs. One thing to understand is that correctly answering the FRQ depends on your capacity to sketch and grasp the graphs in AP Microeconomics.
Apart from using the study guides, you can also consult study notes from different universities. Many of the teachers post their study guides online and offer priceless material you might not come across elsewhere. Although you can always contact an economics professor for help in areas you lack in.
Study for at least eight hours a week, or more than one hour every day, to develop that routine. Given that you are not combining your study session with a class, it is highly advised that you study for even longer.
Many colleges, meanwhile, demand a particular score to be credited for that exam. To reach at least the required score, you can calculate the quantity of study materials you need. Since microeconomics is a class without official instruction, most colleges will be extra rigorous about your exam results. Some would even demand a 5.
Using the 8-hour-a-week recommendation, you should get at least a three on the test. In some colleges, that is the absolute least required to pass the test and earn credit. For a 4, you should most likely double that figure for 16 hours every week. For a five, you should concentrate a lot of your time on studying on the weekends and consider studying for at least twenty-four hours a week or an entire day.
Microeconomics is a separate topic you will learn without any prior knowledge, so the rationale behind needing so many hours to study is different. Although the process will be demanding, it will be well worth it and amazing when you are looking for colleges.
A lot of terms will be used in AP Microeconomics, which can intimidate you at first. Be aware of the specific terminology used in the AP Microeconomics exam, like "profit-maximizing quantities," "payoff matrices," "deadweight losses," and "Nash equilibrium." You can't answer questions about these words if you don't know what they mean.
So, in order to know a lot about microeconomics, you have to keep up with the vocabulary. As the school year goes on, especially before the AP test, make sure you go over the main points you learned in class. I suggest you use flashcards to keep track of the different words you are learning.
Eventually, you will have to consult various materials to add some variety even if you spend so much time on your AP® Microeconomics study guide and practice examinations. Should all you do is read, you will soon find it impossible to focus on what you are trying to absorb.
YouTube is the first place you should visit for a lot of material. For the test, there are lots of free films covering many topics as well. Assume you do not grasp a particular idea, say marginal utility. Search for marginal utility and instantly come across a lot of various movies elucidating that idea.
Looking for several ideas can help you find personal explanations of those that will throw off any uncertainty you could have. Videos are, therefore, a perfect addition to reading since not only will you learn the idea, but also it will be taught in such a way that you can understand it better than if you just read about it off a page.
Most videos come with interactive uploaders and examples—some of which might be interactive. Sometimes, you can ask a question on the video, and if they are still active on the website, they will respond within a few days.
There will be a lot of graphs to look at on the AP Micro test, and certainly, you will have to draw many especially for the long free-response question. Graph making is thought to be the scariest part of the AP Microeconomics test for many students. For full credit, you need to include a lot of correct information. Therefore, begin practicing!
If you rigorously practice the free-answer questions for the graphical part of your course, it will help you prepare for this part of the test.
Understanding your AP® Microeconomics test depends on practice. To create a dynamic study schedule that shifts between what you know and what you need to know, you must constantly assess where you stand in the class. Let me clarify.
Along with homework over the semester to sharpen your knowledge of the subject, your teachers will provide tests and quizzes, which you might ignore sometimes. It’s better to keep up with the quizzes and tests during the semester because they will help you keep up with the study material. That way, you won’t leave things for the last minute as well.
When you think you’re done with your preparation, make sure you give enough mock exams that perfectly simulate the exam conditions.
The easiest way to get a subject is to follow a proper study plan. No matter what the recent stats are, if you are interested in a certain subject, go for it. But remember that if you get lazy during the process and leave it in the end thinking you will do it later on, you might get into trouble.
Follow the guidelines provided in the blog above and contact an economics professional if you need help in the subject.
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