Glossary for Parents: CED, FRQ, DBQ, LEQ, SAQ & More — A Plain-English Guide to AP Jargon

Why this glossary matters — and why you’re in the right place

If your child is enrolled in AP courses or planning to take AP exams, you’ve likely heard a string of acronyms that sound like alphabet soup: CED, FRQ, DBQ, LEQ, SAQ. It’s normal to feel a bit lost. These terms aren’t just bureaucratic labels — they shape how students study, how teachers design classes, and how colleges read scores.

This guide translates the most common AP terms into plain English, gives realistic examples, and offers practical tips you can use right away. I’ll also show where a personalized tutoring approach — think one-on-one guidance, tailored study plans, expert tutors, and AI-driven insights like those Sparkl provides — fits naturally into your child’s preparation plan.

Quick orientation: What AP is and why the language matters

Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams are College Board programs that let high school students take college-level classes and potentially earn college credit. Because AP aims to be rigorous and consistent across thousands of schools, College Board uses standardized documents and shorthand — such as the Course and Exam Description (CED) — to communicate expectations. If you understand the terms, you can better support your child’s study strategy and conversations with teachers.

Essential terms and plain-English explanations

Below are the core terms parents encounter. Each explanation includes what it means in the classroom and what it means for studying at home.

CED — Course and Exam Description

What it is: The CED is the official blueprint for an AP course and its exam. It outlines learning objectives, units or themes, recommended resources, and the format of the exam (multiple choice, free-response types, scoring expectations).

Why it matters for parents: The CED tells you what knowledge and skills your child should have by the end of the year. If you ever wonder whether a teacher is covering the right material or if your child’s prep is on target, the CED is the authoritative reference.

How to use it at home: Ask to see the course syllabus and compare it to the CED. If gaps appear, a targeted plan — possibly with a tutor — can fill them before the exam.

FRQ — Free Response Question

What it is: FRQs require students to construct written responses rather than select multiple choice answers. The length and structure depend on the subject: an FRQ in AP Calculus looks very different from one in AP English Literature or AP U.S. History.

Why it matters for parents: FRQs test both knowledge and the ability to communicate that knowledge clearly under time pressure. They’re often where students can show higher-level thinking and earn points even if they missed some multiple-choice items.

Study tip: Practice timed FRQs, review scoring rubrics, and focus on clear structure — a quick plan before writing can raise scores substantially.

DBQ — Document-Based Question

What it is: Common in history courses (AP U.S. History, AP European History, AP World History), a DBQ asks students to analyze a set of primary sources (documents, images, charts) and use them to support an argument about a historical question.

Why it matters for parents: DBQs are both content- and skill-heavy. Students must interpret sources, place them in context, develop a thesis, and use evidence strategically. It’s not just what they know — it’s how they use it.

How you can help: Encourage practice that mirrors the test — timed source analysis, building thesis statements, and practicing synthesis. A tutor can model how to read documents efficiently and build an argument in the limited time available.

LEQ — Long Essay Question

What it is: The LEQ asks students to write a longer, developed essay on a historical prompt using their own knowledge and skills. Unlike the DBQ, it may or may not include documents; the emphasis is on argumentation and evidence from the student’s memory and study.

Why it matters for parents: LEQs reward organization, focus, and the ability to recall and use relevant facts. A student who crams facts but has weak essay structure can lose easy points.

Study tip: Create a bank of sample prompts and thesis structures. Practice building outlines in five minutes and essays in 40 minutes. Rotating practice across themes helps build retrieval fluency.

SAQ — Short Answer Question

What it is: SAQs appear in history and some social science exams. They require brief, focused responses — often a few sentences each — that demonstrate specific factual knowledge and analytical skill.

Why it matters for parents: SAQs test precision. They are low-friction ways for students to earn points: a concise, well-targeted answer is usually better than a rambling one.

Practice strategy: Teach students to identify command words (describe, explain, identify) and answer them directly. Use timed drills to build speed and clarity.

Scoring, Rubrics, and What Counts

What it is: Each AP exam uses a scoring model that combines multiple choice and free-response sections. Free-response questions are typically scored with rubrics that list what graders look for — thesis, use of evidence, analysis, synthesis, etc.

Why it matters for parents: Understanding rubrics helps demystify grades. A 3- or 4-point gain on an FRQ often hinges on including a clear thesis or using one more piece of relevant evidence. These are teachable skills.

How to help: Ask your child to show a graded FRQ and the rubric. That conversation — focused on specific next steps — is more useful than vague worries about the overall score.

Common exam formats and what students encounter

AP exams vary by subject, but most share structures that repeat across disciplines. Here’s a simple table summarizing common question types and the skills they test.

How to read scores and set realistic goals

AP scores range from 1 to 5. Colleges interpret these scores differently — some grant course credit for a 4 or 5, others for a 3. The important part for a family is setting a target that matches your child’s goals (credit, placement, or skill development).

Practical approach:

• Ask: Is the goal college credit, advanced placement, or simply strong preparation for college-level work?
• Set a specific target score (e.g., 4 in AP Biology if the college accepts 4 for credit), then build backward: what content and skills are required to reach that score?
• Measure progress with periodic full-length practice exams and targeted FRQ practice.

Timelines and realistic prep plans

AP success doesn’t come from last-minute cramming. Here’s a flexible timeline you can adapt depending on whether your child has one semester, a full year, or is self-studying.

Full-year (recommended for most students)

• Semester 1: Build foundations — learn the big ideas in the CED; practice multiple-choice techniques and short free responses.
• Winter break: Begin structured FRQ practice — one FRQ per week with rubric review.
• Semester 2: Intensify DBQ/LEQ practice (for history) and cumulative review. Start timed full practice exams every 3–4 weeks.
• Final month: Focus on weak areas, timed pacing, and exam-day routines.

Single semester or self-study

• Weeks 1–4: Learn the framework — use the CED to map priorities.
• Weeks 5–10: Mix content study with frequent practice questions.
• Weeks 11–16: Move to weekly full-length practice or sectional timed tests; prioritize FRQs and rubrics.

Practical tools and strategies that really help

These aren’t magic bullets, but they’re reliable.

• Understand command words: define, describe, analyze, compare — each demands a different structure.
• Rubric-first practice: review the rubric before writing — you then know exactly what graders reward.
• One-minute thesis: practice creating a one-sentence thesis in under a minute — this trains clarity.
• Active retrieval: use spaced recall (flashcards, short quizzes) rather than passive rereading.
• Timed mini-sessions: simulate pressure with short timed blocks for SAQs and DBQ document reading.

Concrete examples — what an FRQ or DBQ answer looks like

Seeing the structure is often more instructive than abstract advice. Here are abbreviated templates a student can follow:

• FRQ template (History): 1 sentence thesis, 2–3 background/context sentences, 2–3 paragraphs each with a topic sentence and specific evidence, 1–2 sentence conclusion tying back to thesis.
• DBQ quick plan: 5 minutes reading documents + categorizing them, 5 minutes outlining thesis and evidence plan, 30 minutes writing. Use at least 6 documents explicitly and explain their relevance.

How parents can support without taking over

Balancing support with student autonomy is an art. Your role is encouragement, structure, and practical help — not writing practice essays for them.

• Create a calm study environment and predictable schedule.
• Help build a checklist from the CED — parents don’t need to master content to track progress.
• Ask specific questions: “What rubric point did you miss on this FRQ?” rather than “How did you do?”
• Celebrate small wins: improving a rubric score, finishing timed practice, or mastering a tricky concept.

When to consider a tutor (and what good tutoring looks like)

Many families find that targeted help pays off quickly — especially for FRQs, DBQs, and LEQs where strategy matters as much as content. Here are signs a tutor could be useful:

• Repeated weak scores on FRQs despite reviewing content.
• Timing and pacing issues during practice tests.
• Lack of structure or motivation for regular study.

Effective tutoring focuses on personalized needs — not one-size-fits-all lessons. Sparkl’s personalized tutoring model, for example, combines 1-on-1 guidance, tailored study plans, expert tutors, and AI-driven insights to identify gaps and accelerate progress. When fit naturally into the student’s routine, this kind of tutoring targets the specific rubric skills and exam strategies that raise scores.

Sample week: Balanced study plan for an AP student

Here’s a sample weekly plan you can adapt. It balances content, skills, and rest.

• Monday: 60 minutes — focused content review (unit topic from the CED) + 20 minutes of relevant multiple-choice practice.
• Tuesday: 45 minutes — SAQ drills (3–4 questions, timed) with quick rubric check.
• Wednesday: 60 minutes — FRQ practice or math problem set; self-grade with rubric or get tutor feedback.
• Thursday: 45 minutes — vocabulary/definitions and quick recall flashcards.
• Friday: 30–45 minutes — review mistakes from the week, organize notes, light reading for enrichment.
• Saturday: 2 hours — alternating: full section practice one week, DBQ/LEQ practice the next week.
• Sunday: Rest or light review; short planning session for the coming week.

Common parent questions and short answers

Q: How do I know if my child should take an AP exam?

A: Consider readiness (content and writing skills), workload, and goals. If the class aligns with the CED and your child can handle the workload without burning out, the exam often makes sense.

Q: What if my child bombs one AP exam?

A: One test doesn’t define ability. Review the feedback, target weak areas, and decide whether to retake based on college goals and the student’s stress level.

Q: How much does tutoring help?

A: When tutoring is targeted and consistent, it can significantly improve FRQ and DBQ performance. Personalized programs like Sparkl’s focus on weak points and provide practice aligned to the CED and rubrics, which is often the most efficient route to score improvement.

Checklist for the month before the exam

Use this practical checklist to structure the final stretch:

• Take 1–2 full-length practice exams under timed conditions.
• Review graded FRQs and apply rubric-based corrections.
• Create a small “fact bank” of must-remember dates, formulas, or literary devices.
• Finalize logistics: exam day location, materials needed, and sleep schedule.
• Schedule 1–2 focused tutor sessions for weak areas (if using tutoring).

Final thoughts: the most useful things parents can do

In a noisy season of deadlines and pressure, the most effective parental support is steady and practical:

• Stay informed about the CED and the exam format for your child’s course.
• Encourage deliberate practice (rubric-driven) instead of endless review.
• Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and a manageable schedule — cognitive performance matters more than sheer hours of study.
• Use targeted help when needed: a tutor who personalizes instruction (offering one-on-one guidance, tailored study plans, and expert feedback) accelerates learning and reduces stress.

AP exams are a challenging but manageable milestone. With a clear understanding of terms like CED, FRQ, DBQ, LEQ, and SAQ — and a practical plan that includes focused practice and, when helpful, personalized tutoring — your child can go into test day confident and prepared. You don’t need to be an expert to be an effective partner in their preparation; you just need curiosity, structure, and the willingness to celebrate progress along the way.

If you’d like, I can customize a one-month study calendar for your child’s specific AP subject, or draft a short list of rubric-based practice prompts to get them started.