A successful AP exam isn’t solely about knowing the material; it’s also about being able to apply that knowledge during the test. Start by assembling a collection of official practice exams. These will familiarize you with the format and questions you encounter on exam day.
Take a Practice Exam
While study guides are fantastic for reviewing and reinforcing content knowledge, preparing to do well on an AP exam requires more than just free AP prep resources and studying the correct facts and figures. You also need to develop strategies for coping with the pressure of taking a timed test under real-world conditions, and you need to know how to recognize each type of question the test makers might include on the exam. There is no better way to learn these skills than by taking practice exams under actual testing conditions. Be sure to vary your study materials and sources to avoid boredom with your review process.
Create a Study Guide
If you’re preparing for an AP exam, having a plan that includes content review and building specific AP test-taking skills is helpful. Creating an AP study guide can help you determine your strongest and weakest areas of study so that you can spend the most time reviewing the subjects where you need it most. Start by reviewing the AP course syllabus and class notes for the subject(s). Then, assemble former in-class exams and research papers that you’ve taken to see which topics or concepts you need more practice with. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions would best simulate the test-taking experience. After completing a practice test, analyze the results to identify frequently missed topics. Then, list those topics and use them as your study guides. Consider supplementing your AP study materials with tools that make it fun to review the course material, such as flashcards, practice questions, and quizzes. It’s generally accepted that it takes students several times to learn and retain new information. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate various learning methods into your studying, such as reading and listening to recorded lectures, writing diagrams or mind maps, and listening to podcasts or audiobooks for concept review.
Develop Test-Taking Skills
The ability to perform well under test conditions requires more than just knowledge of the material; you need to cope with the stress of an AP exam and know how to approach each type of question. This is why it’s essential to practice, even if you have a study guide and a solid understanding of the content. You should also develop your test-taking skills, including note-taking and time management. Make sure you take a few complete practice exams under test-day conditions, and be bold and try them more than once, mainly if your score reflects that you have more to learn. In addition, look at sample questions before the actual test and plan how to respond to them. Finally, remember to breathe and stretch occasionally to keep your body relaxed. Ideally, you’ll have been studying regularly for months and developed consistent habits; these will help ensure that your mind is fresh on exam day. Avoid cramming right before the test; not only does this waste valuable time, but it can hurt your performance. Instead, use the Feynman Technique – pretend that you’re teaching the subject to someone who knows nothing about it, as this engages your brain in free recall and can strengthen your memory. Lastly, get a good night’s sleep before the exam and pack your bag with everything you need the night before.
Stay Hydrated
Whether taking a marathon-length AP test or requiring just one or two free-response questions, it’s essential to prepare with time limits in mind. Make sure to rewrite, summarize, and organize your class notes before exam day so that you know exactly where to find all of the relevant information. Consider creating a quick reference guide of formulas, terminology, names, dates, and events on your test. Use sticky notes to flag pages in your textbook or create a cheat sheet on each topic’s essential information. It’s also a good idea to eat healthy foods and stay hydrated leading up to the test. Students who are tired or hungry may need help to focus on the material. It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle and snacks that are easy to eat, such as fruit, vegetables, granola bars, or nuts. Many resources can help you prepare for your AP exams. You can also get a face-to-face online tutor to help you master the material and prepare for the type of questions on your test. Knowing the material is critical, but communicating it effectively on paper will matter on test day.
