Is Your Student Ready for the AP Statistics Exam?
The AP Statistics exam is not your standard, formula-heavy math assessment. It focuses on how students interpret and apply statistical concepts in different scenarios.
LOCUS is an independent assessment that evaluates the same things, making it a powerful predictor of how students will score on the AP Statistics exam.
What is LOCUS?
LOCUS (Levels of Conceptual Understanding in Statistics) is a research-based system that measures students’ conceptual understanding of statistics.
It evaluates how students:
• Work through statistical problems
• Interpret data and results
• Apply concepts from one scenario to another
These are skills that heavily influence how students score on the AP Statistics exam.
Why LOCUS is a Strong Indicator of AP Test Performance
The AP Statistics exam assesses how well students can:
→ Choose the right methods for collecting and analyzing data.
→ Uncover and understand trends and patterns in data.
→ Use probability to make informed decisions.
→ Use data-backed evidence to justify conclusions.
Since LOCUS also assesses how well students truly understand statistical concepts, it can offer meaningful insight into how prepared students are for the AP Statistics exam. LOCUS was developed by many of the same people that were involved in the development of the AP Statistics exam.
This means students can gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses before sitting for the AP exam.
| LOCUS Component | Correlated AP Statistics Section | LOCUS Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Formulating Statistical Questions | Selecting Statistical Methods | 10–20% |
| Collecting Data | Selecting Statistical Methods | 20–30% |
| Analyzing Data | Data Analysis Using Probability and Simulation | 25–35% |
| Interpreting Results | Statistical Argumentation | 25–35% |
What Students Gain
A clear picture of their statistics knowledge as it will be measured on the AP exam.
Insights on areas for improvement so they can build a customized study plan.
The advantage of familiarity with AP-style exams and multiple-choice question structure.
Beyond the AP Statistics exam, LOCUS can serve as a great indicator of preparedness for the SAT. Nearly 25% of questions in the SAT’s math section are comprised of statistics & data-related items.
Get StartedA Closer Look at LOCUS & AP Statistics Exam Alignment
Both assessments measure students’ ability to use statistical concepts practically in a variety of settings.
| Average LOCUS Score | Correlated AP Statistics Score |
|---|---|
| 52% | 1 |
| 58% | 2 |
| 67% | 3 |
| 78% | 4 |
| 84% | 5 |
About LOCUS
First piloted in 2013, LOCUS assessments were designed by university researchers and professors to provide teachers, educational leaders, assessment specialists, and researchers with a valid and reliable assessment of conceptual understanding in statistics. Many of the people involved are the same that also developed the AP Statistics exam.
Now at ThinkData Ed, LOCUS has become directly accessible to students and parents, offering a valuable look at students’ statistical understanding and how that understanding may translate to performance on the AP Statistics exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on LOCUS and how long does it take to complete?
There are 30 questions on the LOCUS assessment. It is designed to take 60 minutes to complete.
What types of questions are on LOCUS?
LOCUS consists entirely of multiple-choice questions.
How many questions are on the multiple-choice section of the AP Statistics exam?
The multiple choice section on the AP Statistics exam consists of 40 questions that are completed in 90 minutes.
How can LOCUS be used as a reliable predictor if it only has multiple choice questions?
Teachers have used LOCUS as a reliable predictor of AP Statistics exam performance over seven years. Data supports this collection of multiple choice questions can serve as a predictor of a passing score if students obtain a score of 70 or above on LOCUS. In the assessment industry multiple-choice questions are consistently shown to be the best manner to assess students’ understanding in a reliable manner.
Should my child use a calculator on LOCUS?
LOCUS assesses conceptual understanding of statistics. It was designed for students not to need a calculator; however, there is no reason why students should not use a calculator. Students are allowed to use a calculator on the AP Statistics exam. Over time data has shown that the use of a calculator makes no difference on performance on LOCUS given the questions are conceptual in nature.
Should my child take LOCUS in one sitting?
Yes. Students will need to take the AP Statistics exam in one sitting and should take LOCUS under similar conditions. They should only start the exam when they have the allotted time available to take LOCUS.
What information will my student receive about their performance?
As part of LOCUS your child will enter in an email address to receive an overall score report on their performance. This email address is expected to be the parent’s email address.
Is it possible to dive deeper into my child’s LOCUS performance?
The standard LOCUS assessment produces a score based on your child’s overall performance. For an additional $10, a report on your child’s performance in each category of questions (formulate questions, collect data, analyze data, and interpret results) can be sent to the parent’s email address.
What is the advantage of the more detailed report?
Students can use this information to target studying and learning opportunities. There are 68 multiple choice and 33 constructed response items with commentaries and resources identified to support development of the concepts available here.
Can I share LOCUS with my classmates?
The user code only allows one test to be taken. You can encourage your classmates to also take LOCUS to measure their readiness for the AP Statistics exam. The user license prevents the questions from being shared with anyone.
Can I share my score with my teacher?
Students are encouraged to share their score with their teacher but it is completely up to students and their parents to do so.
Is LOCUS a practice AP Statistics exam?
LOCUS is not an official AP Statistics exam, but it measures understanding of statistical concepts in the same way the AP Statistics exam does. LOCUS reveals how students think statistically, focusing on collecting and interpreting data, explaining reasoning, and applying the concepts they’ve learned in class to different scenarios. Teachers have found that students who score 70% or higher on LOCUS also score 3 or higher on the AP Statistics exam.
How can LOCUS provide an accurate prediction of AP Statistics exam scoring?
The AP Statistics exam emphasizes application of statistical concepts, just like LOCUS does. While LOCUS cannot guarantee AP exam scores, it gives students an accurate look at their understanding of statistical concepts, allowing them to focus on targeted things while studying for the AP exam.
How many times can my child take LOCUS?
Students can take LOCUS as many times as they’d like, but each test requires a new access code to be purchased. Students might find value in taking LOCUS first in January-February, then again a few weeks before the AP exam to assess how much progress they’ve made in developing statistical understanding as they prepare for the AP exam.