Selected Works Rubric
Maya King
7 min read
Listen to this study note
Study Guide Overview
This AP Art & Design study guide covers Selected Works scoring (holistic scoring, preponderance of evidence, and criteria A, B, and C), the exam rubric (scores 1-5), key takeaways and exam tips (visual-verbal harmony, synergy), final exam focus (elements and principles of design, material choices, process documentation, clear articulation), common question types (multiple choice, short answer, free response), and practice questions with a scoring breakdown.
#AP Art & Design: Night Before Study Guide
Hey there, future art star! ✨ Feeling the pre-exam jitters? No worries, this guide is designed to be your super-powered sidekick for the AP Art & Design exam. Let's make sure you're not just ready, but confident.
#🚀 Overview: Selected Works (40% of Your Score)
Your selected works are a big deal, making up 40% of your total score. This means choosing your best pieces is crucial. Let's break down how these are graded so you can make sure you're hitting all the right notes. Remember, it's about showing your skills, your process, and your ideas – all working together in harmony.
#General Scoring Note
The preponderance of evidence rule means your score will reflect the majority of your work's quality. If most of your pieces are a '4', that's likely your score, even if one or two are a bit lower. But here's the catch: If your written explanation doesn't match your artwork, the highest you can score is a 2. So, make sure your words and visuals are in sync!
#Holistic Scoring
Your five selected works are graded as a single unit. Think of it like a band – even if one member has an off night, the overall performance is what counts. The graders are looking at the overall level of quality, not just individual pieces. If you have 2 pieces that are a '3' and 3 pieces that are a '4', the overall score will be a '4'.
#Scoring Criteria: The ABCs
Your work is assessed across three main areas:
- A. 2D/3D/Drawing Art and Design Skills: How well do you use the elements and principles of design in your chosen medium? This is all about your technical skills.
- B. Materials, Processes, and Ideas: How effectively do your materials and processes communicate your ideas? This is about making choices that support your vision.
- C. Writing: How well can you identify and explain your ideas and processes? This is about clarity and connection.
#🔍 Deep Dive: The Rubric
Here's a breakdown of each score point, focusing on what makes each one unique. Remember, the rubric is designed to show a range of achievement within each level. So, focus on the qualifiers that distinguish each score.
#Score Point 1: Little to No Evidence
At this level, there's little to no evidence of achievement in any of the three areas. It's like the artwork is just starting to find its way.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Unsatisfactory evidence of skills. |
| B | Unsatisfactory evidence of the relationship between materials, processes, and ideas. |
| C | Unsatisfactory evidence of identifying materials, processes, and ideas. |
#Score Point 2: Rudimentary Skills
Here, we see the emergence of rudimentary skills in the artwork, but the overall connection between materials, processes, and ideas is still not clear.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Rudimentary (basic) skills in 2D/3D/Drawing. |
| B | Unsatisfactory evidence of the relationship between materials, processes, and ideas. |
| C | Unsatisfactory evidence of identifying materials, processes, and ideas. |
#Score Point 3: Moderate Skills, Evident but Inconsistent Relationships
This is where things start to click! There's moderate skill, an evident relationship between materials, processes, and ideas, and writing that identifies the key elements. This is often the first score that can earn college credit.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Moderate skills in 2D/3D/Drawing. |
| B | Evident relationship between materials, processes, and ideas, but may be unclear or inconsistent. |
| C | Writing identifies materials, processes, and ideas. |
#Score Point 4: Good Skills, Clearly Evident Relationships
Things are looking good! Your skills are proficient, and the relationship between materials, processes, and ideas is clearly evident. Your writing is still identifying the key elements.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Good skills in 2D/3D/Drawing. |
| B | Clearly evident relationship between materials, processes, and ideas. |
| C | Writing identifies materials, processes, and ideas. |
#Score Point 5: Advanced Skills, Synthesis
You're in the zone! Your skills are highly developed, and there's a synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas, meaning they all work together seamlessly. Your writing continues to identify the key elements.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Advanced skills in 2D/3D/Drawing. |
| B | Clear evidence and synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. |
| C | Writing identifies materials, processes, and ideas. |
#💡 Key Takeaways & Exam Tips
- Visual-Verbal Harmony: Make sure your written explanations match your artwork. If your art is about color theory, don't write about texture.
Mismatched visuals and text can cost you points.
Aim for consistency in quality across your five pieces.
Think of it like a well-oiled machine, where each part is essential to the overall function.
Use concise, specific language to explain your choices.
Focus on what you do well and what you enjoy creating.
#🎯 Final Exam Focus
#High-Priority Topics
- Elements of Art: Line, shape, form, space, color, value, texture.
- Principles of Design: Unity, variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, movement, pattern, proportion, scale.
Remember the acronym: "Every Very Bold Cat Eats Really Messy Pizza, Please Stop!" (Elements, Variety, Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Rhythm, Movement, Pattern, Proportion, Scale)
#Common Question Types
- Multiple Choice: Testing your knowledge of art history, elements, and principles.
- Short Answer: Requiring you to analyze specific artworks or concepts.
- Free Response: Asking you to apply your knowledge to create your own artwork or analyze a given prompt.
#Last-Minute Tips
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
- Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of each question. Make sure you understand what's being asked.
- Stay Calm: Take deep breaths, and trust in your preparation. You've got this!
#✍️ Practice Questions
Practice Question
#Multiple Choice Questions
-
Which of the following best describes the principle of emphasis in art? a) The repetition of elements to create a sense of movement. b) The arrangement of elements to create a sense of balance. c) The use of contrasting elements to draw attention to a focal point. d) The combination of different elements to create unity.
-
In 3D art, what is form primarily concerned with? a) The surface quality of an object. b) The two-dimensional shape of an object. c) The three-dimensional volume of an object. d) The color and value of an object.
#Free Response Question
Prompt: Analyze the relationship between materials, processes, and ideas in a piece of artwork you have created. Explain how your choices in materials and processes contribute to the overall meaning and impact of your work.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Skills (2 points):
- 1 point for demonstrating moderate to good skills in your chosen medium.
- 1 point for demonstrating advanced skills in your chosen medium.
- Materials, Processes, and Ideas (2 points):
- 1 point for showing an evident relationship between materials, processes, and ideas.
- 1 point for demonstrating a clear synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas.
- Writing (1 point):
- 1 point for writing that identifies the materials, processes, and ideas used in the artwork.
You've got this! Go into the exam with confidence, knowing you've done the work and you're ready to show off your amazing skills and ideas. Good luck! 🍀
Explore more resources
How are we doing?
Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve