With AP tests right around the corner, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. As you start to prepare for the exams, trying to organize all the resources, content, and material may only further overwhelm you. However, try to keep calm and don’t stress too much; there are many ways to effectively study and achieve great scores without overworking yourself. And remember, you do not have to do this on you own!
Here are five ways you can maximize your time and still get a 5:
1. AP Test Prep Books: These books can be borrowed at the library or purchased online. There’s one for nearly every subject, with lots of helpful information and various practice tests. Specifically, the Princeton AP Books and Barron’s AP Prep Books work very well and cover nearly double the content of an average textbook.
2. Study Groups: Study sessions with groups of peers can help with focus and understanding. There’s a greater amount of knowledge shared when studying together. Accountability and discipline are crucial to successful study habits, and friends or classmates can make this time easier.
3. College Board Resources: The College Board website includes valuable tools for retaining knowledge. Videos on every topic and several effective practice tests can truly help with applying ideas to questions that could very likely show up on the test. There are even links to videos on YouTube where AP officials discuss past tests and break down questions; get insider information at just a few taps on your device.
4. Review past tests and quizzes: Many teachers pass back old exams in order to refresh students’ memories and initiate discussion. You can ask your teacher to view past tests and ask questions to ensure confidence when it comes to older units. They always want to talk about content and can break down material much more easily when you’re in one-on-one situation.
5. Stay Organized: While this is a very common piece of advice for stressed students, it’s a very helpful and necessary idea. Without organization and a solid study schedule, it’s very easy to become scatterbrained and lost in the material. When it comes to AP test preparation, there’s a lot of information that has to be remembered, so start studying early.
As we get closer to May 5th, remember to prioritize time for yourself along with studying. Getting enough sleep and eating a good breakfast on the day of the test is just as important as test preparation. Cramming is often a natural temptation, but it only sets you up to struggle through sleep deprivation on the exam days themselves.