Within the next month AP exams begin, so it’s time to start reviewing material. As someone who has taken AP exams before, I know how much my teachers played a significant role in my preparation.
However, I did not just study what was reviewed in class. Similarly to others, I set aside a few hours a week to review the content, especially the older material I had forgotten throughout the school year.
I still vividly remember taking my first AP exam – AP U.S. History – and being extremely nervous about the outcome. But studying proved worth it, as I discovered I passed my AP English Language and AP U.S History exam with a 3 and 4. It is now time to start studying again, and I decided to gather the most helpful resources for anyone unsure of how to approach studying, similarly to how I was last year.
A great resource that has helped many students prepare for their AP exams is Khan Academy. Many have heard of Khan Academy being used to study for tests like the SAT/ACT, but you can also use it as a study tool for your AP exams. They offer videos, practice problems, and quizzes on units, which have proven to be helpful for students. “I used Khan Academy by doing all the unit tests and quizzes that were offered for the AP exam I was studying for, and it was a big contribution that helped me pass all my AP exams, especially APUSH,” senior Heidy Carrillo said.
The morning of the test can be nerve-wracking, but what eased my nerves the most was being able to take the full practice exam, so I knew what test day would feel like and how to prepare myself in the best way possible. If you’re looking to do the same, College Board offers full AP Exams, and you can even view your results to know exactly where you stand. If you don’t want to take a full practice exam, you can review the sections of your exam that you feel the least prepared for by practicing past AP questions on College Board and AP Classroom for your specific subjects.
AP exams cover material from the entire course, so reviewing older concepts is a good idea since they tend to be replaced by more recent material. To do this, I recommend watching unit review videos on YouTube. These videos will help you relearn content, and they will approach the material in a quick yet impactful way. I remember watching review videos the morning of the exam, and they provided me with a well-needed last-minute refresher that genuinely helped me do better on my exams.
I recommend splitting your studies over this last month. Last year, I witnessed many students studying at the last minute, which only caused them more stress. You want to ensure you have a lot of time to prepare, especially since you will most likely still receive homework in other classes and might need to study for other non-AP finals.
The best way to split up your studying is by making a study schedule. For example, put aside certain days of the week or certain times of the day to dedicate to studying. In my case, I have made it a habit to study for one hour every other night, after I finish my assigned homework. I also recommend using a timer to ensure you stay focused during your AP review time. This way, you build the consistent habit of reviewing and don’t overwork yourself during the last week of April.
There are plenty of other resources out there that will help you prepare for your exams. For example, Albert.io is a great resource that will prepare you for the multiple-choice questions on your exam, and Marco Learning offers study guides that summarize the course material. Current AP students tend to find these tools very beneficial. “Albert provided me with realistic questions regarding the AP topics and in-depth information about why the answers were correct or incorrect. Overall, I really enjoyed Albert. It was simple to use, and I would 100% recommend it to other AP students,” senior Aara Bella Sumagang said.
Having taken both AP English Literature and AP English Language and Composition, I highly recommend checking out Garden of English on YouTube and Coach Hall Writes for advice on writing the essays, as well as navigating the multiple-choice questions.
As someone who has also taken APUSH, make sure to take the practice exams in the 5 Steps to a 5 textbook and don´t forget about Heimler’s History on YouTube– especially for help on the writing portions and course review. Heimler is also an invaluable resource for any AP World students, as he covers content across all AP History classes.
Last year, I was nervous about my exams because I didn’t know how to approach studying. As a result, I spent too much time on unnecessary things. However, this year, I’m actually kind of excited for my exams. I now have a sense of what to expect in May and an effective studying strategy with helpful materials.
Overall, studying for AP exams is crucial, and if you haven’t started studying yet, it’s not too late to begin. In these final four weeks, stay disciplined and don’t hesitate to ask your AP teachers for help. Remember, while it’s their role to teach the material, it is YOUR responsibility to retain it through studying. The results you get in the summer are in YOUR hands, and the effort you put in now will determine the outcome.
