AP Exams: Planning Your Preparation
Knowing that AP exams aren’t until May and June, students may find it easy to put preparation off into the “future.” They’re often surprised when Spring Break seems to arrive more quickly than expected, and are often more stressed than they’d like to be. By April, students should be well on their way to preparing for the exams, whether that be with in-class preparation or self-studying. Having your student add AP test planning to their to-do list now will help to minimize stress over the next few months.
PREPARING FOR AP EXAMS NOW
We recommend organizing a study schedule by working backward from the date of the test(s). For each AP Exam, your student should create a list of topics they need to review and map out the days and weeks they will spend studying those given topics. This process will determine a start date for studying (especially when students have multiple AP exams). Setting a start date makes it easier to jump into the preparation process and stay on track.
There are multiple factors to consider when putting together this schedule, including the number of AP exams your student is taking, their extracurricular schedule, and their overall course load.
The amount of time students give themselves to study will depend on how many AP exams they have and how much of the review will be covered in class. Many AP classes have reviewing built into them, but students should not rely on this as their only form of studying . We suggest breaking up the studying into manageable chunks throughout the week. However, some students may find it easier to study for AP exams on weekends, especially if they focus on completing their normal academic coursework during the week.
Using the College Board AP Course Index, take note of the dates for this year’s AP exams, which are being offered three times from May to mid-June to accommodate students in light of Covid-19. Start dates for studying will be adjusted based on the date of your student’s test. You can also see the units covered on a given test by clicking on the course’s details. Your student should consider spending a week or so reviewing each unit, including added practice questions and essay questions (if applicable) for each of the subtopics.
Here are some tips for making a successful AP study plan:
Consistency is key: We are trying to avoid cramming in April and May. Students often make the mistake of planning out three hours every Saturday from March to May, and then get discouraged when they only study for half an hour the first Saturday of March. Instead, add twenty minutes of studying as “homework” three times a week with an hour on the weekend. Over the ten weeks between now and the AP exams, you will have added 20 hours of studying. Smaller, consistent study sessions add up to a meaningful amount of time spent preparing for the exams.
Use a calendar: Mark exactly when you plan to study each week on a calendar and set realistic lengths, both of which help you follow-through and actually study. You should also take note of the topics you plan to cover for each week of studying.
Review past work: Covering all the content for an AP exam is important, but so is understanding and learning from your specific strengths and weaknesses. Look over old quizzes, tests, and essays to guide your areas of focus. Be sure to do practice questions and write practice essays on these specific topics.
Having a plan mapped out early will eliminate the stress of preparing for a large exam at the last minute. Students can tackle each week knowing what content and practice materials they need to complete. At Octant Academics, we can help your student organize a plan that works best for their study habits and add academic support to their test preparations.
Student Action: Plan out your AP review for the upcoming weekends using a calendar or planner.
Parent Action: Ask your student about their study plan and offer to help them with review (concept quizzes, flashcard review, etc.).
FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES
“Getting Ready for AP Exams.” Princeton Review: Maps out steps for studying for an AP exam and important study strategies to consider.
“AP Courses and Exam Dates." College Board: Check here for course details and exam dates for all AP exams being offered this spring.
“Self Studying for AP Exam." U.S. News: Provides students and parents with helpful insights into studying for an AP exam without taking an AP class.