AP exams are stressful for any high school student looking to start earning college credit. However, getting ahead of the game by starting to study early can help relieve that stress. It is recommended that students start studying one to three months ahead of time, review content, and take timed tests to build confidence.
Mrs. Wilson, a history teacher states, “I think studying is a bit different for everyone depending on how their brain retains information. Personally I am a slow and steady kind of person. Cramming just before exams has never been helpful to me since taking in that much information all at once can just make things feel jumbled when I try to recall information. I like to go a little bit at a time, perhaps chapter by chapter and review the main ideas or topics that I will need to remember. Flash cards or quizzing yourself using online practice tests are always good options too, as it can help you not only remember things but correct anything you may have remembered incorrectly.”
Although reviewing is hard, trying to figure out where to start is challenging, but some ways to help with that challenge according to College Board are talking to a teacher about what students may see on the exam. Teachers are a great resource when it comes to AP exams because of how many students they’ve seen take the test, and where most will miss points. However students can also go to their AP exam’s page and it can tell students about the exam, date, structure, and more.
Conner Mitchell, a junior, states, “The best way to study for an AP exam is to pay attention throughout the year and make sure to know the key concepts of the course. Students who still feel under prepared can also read the textbooks or take practice quizzes to prepare for their AP exams. ”
Mitchell touches on taking quizzes for AP exams and after students have figured out where to start they can look up tests or quizzes about topics to help them review. For example Blooket, a site most people enjoy, has plenty of quizzes for every AP exam and students have many game styles they can choose from to help them study. More resources with practice tests are High School Test Prep and AP Practice Exam which both offer many different types of practice tests, study materials and videos.
