With this year’s advanced placement classes coming to an end, and AP exams taking place throughout these last two weeks of school, Shadow Ridge students are locking in and studying for their make-or-break AP exams.
AP English Language and Composition teacher, Mrs. Tania Mason explains, “Students get from an AP exam exactly what they put into it. Students who study, read, ask questions, and actively participate in class will generally do quite well. Students have to put in effort beyond the class period and not just be worried about getting a good grade, but learning and genuinely putting effort into the class.”
Understanding a class’s content goes far beyond simply doing the bare minimum; it comes from working to connect lessons to day-to-day life, and actively being involved in class discussions. Combining a deep understanding of the class with just the right review strategies can come to benefit any student once the test date comes.
Mrs. Mason conveys, “Every test is different, so the studying might be different. For a test with a lot of memorization, you can’t go wrong with flash cards and mnemonic devices. For a test like AP Lang, it helps to be well read and to be knowledgeable about current events. For the free response questions, it might be helpful to look at sample essays and questions from previous years, and break down their scores,” Mrs. Mason adds. “Studying should be an all year activity, and by the time exams are here, students should really just be reviewing, especially since they have been working with all of the test’s material throughout the year.”
When preparing for an AP exam, it’s really important to go back and review all that has been learned throughout the year, whether it be through flashcards and systems of memorization, or simply just looking back at previous notes and assignments. It’s always best to begin reviewing far in advance, and be cautious of the amount of time available to study. This will make for a much more efficient studying process, rather than cramming and stressing the night before.
Mrs. Mason expresses, “I think it is imperative that the night or two before an AP exam, students just relax and make sure that they are well rested and fed. Being nervous does not help any student. If a person is nervous, their mind and body are in no condition to take a full-length test. Students have had nine months to prepare for the test, which is why one night of stressful studying will not be beneficial. Coming in with a rested and clear mind is the best way to begin an exam.”
