Calling all scholars at Radford High School, are you dreading the upcoming Advanced Placement (AP) exams in May? From May 5 to May 16, students enrolled in AP courses will take their AP exams in order to receive scores on a five-point scale. Students with scores of three or higher may receive college credit and stand out in college applications. Although this may seem stressful, there are many things one can do to prepare
Create a Study Plan
When you are 4 weeks to a month out from your exam, creating a daily study plan is crucial. You can do this by reviewing the curriculum learned throughout the school year and making flashcards on topics you may have been confused on or need a refresher on. Next, determine what topics you want to focus on each day. In order to ensure a disciplined and meaningful daily study session, set a goal time for how long you want to study. Now that you have the curriculum split up and a designated amount of time, consistency will be key. The more you practice an effective habit, the more natural it will become.
The Night Before
The worst thing you can do the night before an AP exam is spend all day and night cramming material because you procrastinated. At this point, you don’t know what you don’t know. It is best to, if anything, lightly skim over material, and specifically the topics you have more difficulty understanding. However, if you have stayed dedicated to a study plan, the best thing to do the night before is not to study at all. No matter what your situation is, eat a nice dinner and wind down for the night with a fun, relaxed activity such as watching your favorite movie or show.
The Day Of
The morning of your AP exam, it is important to fuel by eating a well-rounded breakfast. If your exam is in the evening, consider packing a filling lunch. Either way, you may find that waking up earlier will allow for a slower and relaxed morning. During the exam, don’t stall on multiple-choice questions. It is best to mark them and go back if you have extra time, if not, there’s everything to gain and nothing to lose by guessing. Always pick the same letter when guessing, unless you’re able to eliminate any answers. This increases your chances of choosing the correct answer out of at least some of the questions you guessed on.
Conclusion
AP exams can be intimidating and put a lot of pressure on students. Students may feel that their future depends on their scores. At the end of the day, whether you’ve worked hard or procrastinated on your review, you are going to take the exam and walk in and out of the test room. Remember to take care of yourself and properly prepare the night before and the morning of. Passing the exam is great, but to at least give yourself the opportunity to take a college-level class speaks volumes as well.