8 Must-Know Tips in Order to Ace AP Exams

If students are enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) Course, then they will be taking their AP tests in May. College admissions are getting more competitive and earning a high score on the AP test can really benefit students and showcase their abilities and skills. It’s important to do well on the AP tests because by doing so students can earn college credit, allowing them to potentially graduate sooner and save money. Below are 8 tips that will help all students succeed on their AP tests.

1. Prepare Early
If you want to earn a 4 or 5 on the AP tests, then don’t wait until the last minute to start studying! There is a lot of work that goes into AP courses and preparing early is one of the smartest moves that students can make. This will enable them to figure out which topics they have questions on and students will then be able to reach out to their teachers to get the extra help that they need.

2. Know How the Exam is Structured
There are a total of 38 AP content exams and each one of them is different. All exams do share a couple of things in common. Most of the exams are right around 3 hours in length and have a multiple-choice section and a free response section. Some of the exams are completed on the computer such as AP Chinese Language exam and the AP Japanese Language Exam. For more detailed information about your individual content exam, click here.

3. Use Practice Materials
Working with AP Exam practice books are definitely beneficial to students because all material is laid out and organized for you, along with practice problems and practice tests. You can purchase AP Exam books online, at the book store or google individual topics on the Internet. Another great study tip is to either make your own flashcards or purchase them. There is a lot of material that needs to be mastered and you want to make sure that you know all key terms, definitions, concepts, formulas, etc. well ahead of time. Check out Amazon’s Best Seller’s page for AP books and practice materials.

4. Work with a Study Group
You can choose to study alone but working with a study group, even periodically, can help take some of the pressure off and allow you to be with like-minded students that are going through the same thing. In your study group you can quiz each other, talk through tough concepts, compare notes on potential essay topics, and review notes. We recommend trying to work with a study group once a week if you can.

5. Take Practice Tests
Taking practice tests and reviewing your answers is a crucial step in getting the high score that you want. Would you play a piano solo in your holiday concert if you never practiced? Then, why would you not practice what is going to be on the test ahead of time? After taking a practice test, make sure to go through all of the incorrect answers and figure out why they are wrong. You want to learn from your mistakes so that you don’t make that same mistake again! The more practice you do and the more practice tests you take, the better chance you’ll have at excelling.

6. Study with a Tutor
Some students get very overwhelmed with where to start and how to study for AP exams. Working with a professional tutor in a one-on-one setting is a great idea because tutors can help students organize the information, create a specific study schedule and guide students through the process. Tutors have been through this process before and have worked with numerous students so they know exactly what to expect. Contact iAchieve Learning to find a tutor to work with!

7. Create a Study Schedule
In order to perform the best on the AP exams, create a study schedule that will work for you. How many hours a week should you study? This all depends on if you’re taking a yearlong course or a semester course and how well you’re doing in the class. If you’re currently earning an A in the course, then you probably won’t need to spend as much time studying then somebody that is earning a B or C in that same class. The more time and energy you put into studying, the better you’ll perform. Create your own consistent study schedule based upon how much time you have during the week and how many activities you’re involved in.

8. Stay Calm
As you know, preparing to take the AP exams can be a very stressful process. If you follow all of the tips above, then you should be in good shape! During the weeks leading up to the AP exams, make sure to stay calm and relaxed, get sufficient sleep, and eat well. If you are relaxed and have put the time in that you need to, then you will be more confident. You’ve got this!!

Written by Sarah Kochan

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