If you’re taking an AP test this year, or just want a head start for next year, these five tips provided by interviewing our editor Sarah Kim, will help everyone (including the crammers) study for their upcoming AP tests.
Tips for Studying for an AP Exam:
1. Take the practice tests seriously: Teachers like to give out a lot of practice tests that include, but are not limited to, a multiple choice, writing, and matching section. Some of these practice tests are spontaneous, a way of seeing how the class is doing and what needs to be covered in order for the best success in the actual exam. By taking these tests seriously, you will be able to see what you do and don’t know and what you can accomplish in the time the teacher allows.
2. Repetition is Key: Repeating and going over the same material can be tedious, but it can really help in memorizing all of the information needed for the test. Flash cards help with this, write down the material needed on a flashcard, and review it every night, and in no time you will remember everything that is written on them!
3. Do some practicing outside of school: There are many books, such as the Barrens books, that are fairly inexpensive, and will help you in studying. If you do not understand a concept the way your teacher explains it, sometimes these books help break down the information in ways that can help.
4. Time Management: give yourself the amount of time to take the practice tests like they do on the AP exam. Again, this will help you see what you can and can’t accomplish in the time allotted.
5. Tip for the crammers: If you decided to wait last minute to study for the test, or life got in the way of your studying, do not worry. Study the key ideas/concepts like the vocabulary words, and the important things teachers repeat over and over again. Remember to also brush on the ideas/concepts you do not know in order to help you make your best performance on the test.
In the end, it is also important to remember that no matter how hard you try for the test, the score is just a number and it does not have to be sent to colleges to look at. Make sure you stay on top of your studying for these AP exams, but also don’t be afraid to take a break and do something fun with your friends, take a nap, work out, eat a snack, or something because that it just as beneficial. It relieves the stress and your brain takes a break because it is not worrying about the information you need to memorize.
And if you do study but don’t get a good score, or the score you wanted, it will not define your life nor is it the end of the world. It does not define you as a person. You are not a number. Work hard, but don’t stress. Good luck!
