This course can help prepare students who wish to continue their math education after high school, as well as students who wish to perform exceptionally well on the Math portion of the SAT exam. The level of aptitude in this subject will assist students wishing to excel on the SAT and in college courses.

According to the College Board’s website, AP Statistics is a course designed to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting data, analyzing the results of that data, and then drawing conclusion from that data. This type of math is not only useful to know for academic purposes, but it is also extremely useful in real life. Its applications extend far beyond the classroom into everyday situations. A basic understanding of Statistics is very important. Though other types of math such as geometry and trigonometry are not necessarily important to Advanced Placement Statistics, students should have a basic grasp of mathematics and its functions. Having experience in these areas of study can assist students once they try to learn higher forms of math.

AP Statistics is a serious course and includes many course goals. According to the College Board’s website, by the time students take their AP Statistics exam (or the SAT exam) they should be prepared to do the following:

• Understand the broad conceptual themes included in Statistical analysis, and be able to express them orally and in writing.
• Explore Statistical Data: Students should be comfortable with describing patterns as well as departures from those patterns.
• Sample and Experiment with Statistical Data: Students should be able to plan and perform a number of different types of studies and record the process for future statistical use.
• Anticipate Patterns: Students should be comfortable with exploring random phenomena and using probability and simulation to achieve their desired results. This includes being able to explain these patterns both orally and in well-written sentences.
• Make Statistical Inferences: Students will learn how to estimate population parameters and testing hypotheses, and learn how to apply these measurements and inferences to the results of various experiments.

Use study notes as well as other study techniques in conjunction with textbooks such as The Practice of Statistics, Barron’s Statistics, or Stats: Modeling the World.

Additionally, students who study AP Statistics and complete the course and the course’s examination successfully may be able to receive credit for a one-semester introductory college statistics course. Students may also achieve advanced placement in these college courses, depending on university requirements. Studying Statistics can be easily achieved over the course of a semester; however, most high schools offer it as a yearlong course. It is important to understand that this could affect some the amount of credit that some universities allow students to receive for their AP Statistics’ class work.

Students considering taking AP Statistics or any other of the AP Program’s courses should keep in mind that these courses are advanced and require more time and effort than typical high school courses. Students that commit themselves to their classes will see a definite payoff in their study habits as well as their GPA and high school transcripts. However, students that do not take their courses seriously might see their grades take a beating. 

Students that wish to get accepted to more selective colleges or universities should seriously consider taking AP courses. These courses will not only set students apart on their transcripts, but they will also give students an inside look at the college atmosphere before graduating from high school, which can have long lasting benefits. Earning college credit is another bonus! Most importantly, AP courses will help students develop the study skills and techniques they need to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom.

Statistics notes, outlines, practice quizzes, vocabulary and other statistics resources can be found below: