For students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, the month of April brings a lot of stress as it implies that there is only about a month until AP exams. Here are some tips in order to help prepare you for those exams and ease some of that anxiety:
- Start reviewing early
The earlier you start studying, the better. Now is the time to start going over material that was taught earlier in the year. You can start by making review guides or flash cards so that the week before the exam you have materials to study, rather than scrambling at the last minute to make study guides. Also, make appointments to meet with your teachers to discuss and reinforce topics you’re a little shaky on.
Reviewing early is especially important if you have more than one exam and even more important if your exam dates are close together. AP exams are stressful: trying to cram a year’s worth of information for multiple courses in your brain in one weekend is not a great idea.
- Take a practice test (or tests)
Taking a practice test will familiarize you with the types of questions and formatting that will appear on the AP exam. Both taking a timed exam and just answering the questions at your leisure are an effective way to be exposed to AP questions. This also provides more material that you could potentially review with a teacher.
Practice exams are usually found on the college board website, but a simple google search usually proves successful. Additionally, there are many different practice books that can be found for each subject. Ask your teachers which book they think would help the most.
- Form a study group
Studying with friends for AP exams is a great way to review material and maybe have a little fun. Study groups are far more entertaining than simply studying alone in a room. It allows you to talk things out and ask someone else questions. While staying focused with friends may be difficult, you have the potential to motivate one another and learn a lot.
- Try to stay calm
I know as much as the next person that staying calm and collected leading up to AP exams is extremely difficult. People go around saying “relax, you’ll be fine” as though it is the easiest thing in the world. As exams come closer, try to remember that while doing well on an AP exam may be helpful in the long run, it isn’t everything. That’s not to say don’t study and blow it off, but just remember it’s a test. It doesn’t determine your success in life. Doing well on the exam might help, however not doing well doesn’t hurt you in any way.
As far as the actual test day, practice the same protocol as you would for other standardized tests and finals: relax the night before the exam. Do not cram, it will just overwhelm you. Instead, review your notes one last time as a refresher, but don’t go overboard. Having said that, be sure to get a good night sleep and eat a good breakfast the next morning.
Good luck to everyone taking AP Exams!!
