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Common Mistakes

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Statistics · AP · Exploring One-Variable Data

Focus

Representing a Categorical Variable with Graphs

This topic is assessed on the AP Exam.

Frequent mistakes

### 1. Mean on skewed data

What it looks/sounds like: Mean is reported as ‘typical’ when distribution is skewed.

Why it happens: Mean and median are interchangeable in the student’s mind.

How to fix: Use median and IQR for skewed or outlier-heavy data.

### 2. Outlier overcall

What it looks/sounds like: Every far point is called an outlier without a rule.

Why it happens: Visual distance alone is used.

How to fix: Use 1.5×IQR or explain why a point is unusual in context.

### 3. Correct work, wrong question

What it looks/sounds like: The algebra is fine but answers a different quantity than the stem asks for.

Why it happens: Attention locks onto the first operation instead of the final ask.

How to fix: Underline the final question; after solving, verify the boxed answer matches it.

### 4. Notation and justification gaps

What it looks/sounds like: Missing units, limit language, or ‘because’ statements AP graders expect.

Why it happens: Notation is treated as decoration rather than part of the score.

How to fix: Add one justification phrase per major step (definition, theorem, or rule).

How to avoid them

1. Describe shape, center, spread, outliers in context. 2. Choose median/IQR vs mean/SD deliberately. 3. Use units on all summaries.

Quick self-check

[ ] Can describe a distribution fairly
[ ] Can pick median vs mean appropriately
[ ] Can compare two distributions

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