Exam Strategy
Statistics · AP · Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions
CED focus
Conditional Probability
This topic is assessed on the AP Exam.
Multiple-choice tips
- Check independence and equally likely outcomes assumptions.
- Eliminate P(A and B) vs P(A|B) confusions.
- Identify binomial/geometric settings from MC wording.
- Verify probabilities sum to 1 on distribution MC.
Free-response tips
- Define random variable and state distribution assumptions.
- Show probability calculations with correct notation.
- Interpret expected value in context.
- Check that probabilities are valid (0–1, sum to 1).
Common traps
- Adding probabilities of overlapping events incorrectly
- Assuming independence without justification
- Misidentifying binomial n and p
Quick checklist
- [ ] Can compute a conditional probability in context
- [ ] Can identify a binomial setting
- [ ] Can interpret expected value with units