With Advanced Placement (AP) exams taking place during the first two weeks of May, students need to start studying soon to ensure they pass. Here are some AP test study tips to prepare you for any subject.
No. 1: Start studying as soon as possible
While there are many resources available to help you cram for an AP exam, the best way to prepare for success is to use your time wisely and plan your study schedule. The heavy course load of AP’s and vast array of topics covered throughout the year make it essential to start studying at least a few weeks before your test.
No. 2: AP Classroom
The College Board provides many resources on the AP Classroom section of its website, specific to each course. From videos to progress checks to full practice exams, these resources can help you prepare for the test and become familiar with both the content and format of AP exams. Additionally, it is important to specifically look at the standards for each unit to ensure you are studying the correct material.
No. 3: Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free website and an official practice partner of the College Board that provides videos, articles, and quizzes that directly align with the AP curriculum. Use these resources to help reinforce concepts you are confused about!
No. 4: Watch review videos
For any AP class, YouTube is a great resource to find helpful review videos. There is a wide variety of videos available, so you can find the channels you like the most. Helpful channels for AP U.S. History include Heimler’s History, CrashCourse, and Adam Norris.
No. 5: Quizlet
Many AP courses are heavy on terms and vocab, so creating flashcards is a great way to study them. Even better, you don’t have to create them yourself, as many flashcard sets already exist on Quizlet. You can also play interactive games, making studying a whole lot easier.
No. 6: One-pagers
With AP courses spanning an entire school year, there is a lot of content to remember. While it is not possible to remember all the material, creating one-pagers or other representations of each unit’s main ideas can help reinforce the most important information.
No. 7: Conversing with peers
While some people prefer to study alone, many are verbal processors, so discussing with your peers can be a more helpful way of learning. Creating study groups with your friends can also be a study motivator. Bring some snacks and start studying!
No. 8: Review your notes
If you want to do it the old-fashioned way, reviewing any notes or packets you have from your AP classes is another great way to study. Although not as engaging, reviewing information you already know makes it easier to reabsorb. From this, you can create flashcards, posters, speak your notes aloud, or even explain the concepts to someone else.
No. 9: Take care of yourself
Although it may feel like AP exams are the most important thing, rest assured that they aren’t. Make sure to take care of yourself during this stressful time by taking brain breaks, getting outside, spending time with family and friends, and anything else that makes you feel recharged. It’s also important to make sure you get enough sleep before the day of the test so you feel well-rested and focused.
We hope these tips provide you with a good starting point for your studying, but remember that studying is specific to everyone, so work on finding which methods work best for you. Good luck!
