AP exams are a big deal for high school students who want to earn college credit, enhance their academic record, and gain experience with difficult courses. AP tests can prove a student’s ability to engage with challenging work, which in turn makes them stronger applicants for colleges if they perform well on the test; however, studying for AP tests can feel overwhelming and stressful, so here are some study tips in general, including your study plan, reliable resources, and prioritizing your health, help you prepare efficiently without experiencing burnout.
Since these exams are right around the corner in May, you should give yourself a head start by creating a study plan early on. AP exams will test on everything you’ve learned throughout the year, whether it’s a STEM subject like AP Physics, a humanities class like AP Lang, or a social studies class like APUSH. The best time to start preparing is 1-3 months ahead of when you’re taking the exam, ideally in February or March. This allows you to cover all the material without too much pressure. If you’re taking more than one AP course, you should study in advance for some of them and determine the amount of time you wish to spend studying nightly or weekly, depending on how busy you are. For instance, you may wish to study further in advance for a tougher course, such as AP Physics versus AP Psychology. By breaking up the material into additional fragments, you can steer clear of the stress of cramming everything at once.
There are many effective and credible resources out there to help you prepare for AP exams, from the College Board, Khan Academy, Princeton Review, and other online courses. Harnessing these resources to your advantage is the key to acing your exam since they’re very similar. These reviews give you insight into the format of AP exams and practice tests that are specifically tailored to mimic the real ones. Additionally, they can walk you through test-taking strategies like how to manage your time when going through the multiple-choice sections or organizing your answers in the free response questions (FRQs). By using them regularly, you’ll become more familiar with the exam layout, improve your pacing, and build confidence heading into test day.
Finally, remember to look after yourself and prioritize your overall well-being. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed from studying continuously, and burnout can do so much harm to your concentration and performance. Make sure that you’re getting enough rest, eating a proper diet, exercising, and stepping away when required. Even occasional short walks, short conversations with friends, or taking the chance to take a break can help you mentally. A stable, healthy mindset will help you memorize better and remain concentrated on exam day.
