Tips for the Upcoming AP Season

As the barren branches start to show hints of green shoots and colorful blooms, the school year begins to transition into a more stressful experience. Days get longer, calendars get fuller, and the most harrowing ordeal approaches: AP season. Taking one or more Advanced Placement classes with loaded schedules including extracurriculars and a social life isn’t exactly easy. To avoid burnout, yet still ace your AP exams, it’s important to start reviewing early with consistent study sessions, focus on official practice tests, and manage time while still prioritizing self care.

Consistent practice is a key aspect of doing well in any subject. Whether it’s practicing

difficult math problems for AP Statistics or writing free response questions for AP Biology,

practice makes perfect! Speed, stamina, and accuracy are all strengthened by continuous skill application. Use official CollegeBoard AP Classroom materials to practice different multiple choice questions and free response questions before the big test. Learn to use smart techniques, understand FRQ rubrics, and analyze question prompts correctly.

In addition to being tactical about the questions themselves, figure out what study

techniques work best for you. Chunking information and then actively recalling is an extremely helpful technique for actually implementing the material, not just memorizing. Summarizing concepts in your own words like you’re teaching someone or using flashcards and study groups also prove to be valuable techniques. Overall, focus on building confidence in weak areas.

Finally, it is crucial to manage time efficiently between studying and arranging time for

yourself and socializing. Setting up an effective study schedule with breaks helps create a clear timeline before the exam. Rather than cramming last minute, create a schedule that spans over several weeks for optimal preparation and time to focus on content. However, don’t forget to ensure you are getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and interacting with friends and family.

Remember to take time out for yourself as well! Essentially, now is the time to start putting in

work; rather than procrastinating for AP exams, study efficiently and find what works best for

you.