Studying for AP Tests by Subject
If your student was looking for a sign to start their AP test prep, this is it! By now, they should have created their study schedule and are working their way through concepts for review. In a previous issue, we provided your student with tools to create and execute their AP study plan, so this issue will focus on employing specific strategies for different types of AP texts to make their preparation more focused.
PREPARING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF AP TESTS
A student’s approach to studying for an AP foreign language test is going to differ from that of a STEM or a social science course. The way in which students approach each test should be tailored to the structure and content of the discipline. Although there are many AP tests offered, almost all of them fit into several broad categories based on similar studying and preparation strategies. For example, studying for each of the various AP history courses will have a common strategy regardless of specific subject matter.
Most AP exams can be broken down into 4 main categories, each with its own set of strategies:
English/ Language Arts: For essay-focused tests, making a checklist for how you will write your essays is important. Thinking through your writing process makes it easier to systematically work through the steps and ensure all necessary information has been included in the essay during the test. Making a list of key terms is also useful, because you have to be able to identify different literary devices and language conventions on the exam.
STEM: Writing out formula/reference sheets in STEM courses will help you remember the many formulas, equations, and constants required for each class. Consolidating the information onto a single formula/reference sheet will provide you with an easy study tool to commit the information to memory. Writing the information by hand also helps to reinforce the ideas.
Foreign Languages: Making a comprehensive list of grammar tenses and their conjugations (and exceptions), the numbering system, conversational vocabulary, and other key concepts from the course will help your preparation. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses among the listening, speaking, reading, and writing sections on most foreign language tests will also help guide your studying. Consider finding a study partner to help with the listening and speaking section, and practice speaking the language for 10-15 minutes a day.
History/ Social Sciences: For history courses, creating a timeline of events will help you organize the course material, especially for comparing and contrasting larger themes and events, which will be required in the Document-Based Questions (DBQ) and Free Response Questions (FRQ) sections of the exams. Social science courses similarly require lots of memorization of key terms and concepts, as well as an understanding of how specific processes work and how they compare to other processes.
Before implementing the specific strategies of each test category, students should start by applying basic AP test strategies to their preparation. For all AP exams, students should start studying at least 2 months in advance to provide adequate time for reviewing material and working through practice problems. If your student is taking multiple AP tests, they will need to map out their study time for each test. Allocation of time to certain tests should be based on a student’s understanding of the materials, with more time dedicated to subjects that either require greater review or have more difficult material. Starting their studying earlier is advised for multiple AP exams to keep their study schedule manageable throughout the week on top of classwork.
Before diving into practice questions, which can be found via the College Board’s past test questions bank (look on the specific course’s page under the “Exam” section), gathering all related materials is important. Students should gather their old quizzes, tests, and essays from their AP course to review. These materials will not only cover most of the main points on the test, but will also help students determine areas that need additional focus.
Additional AP review books can also be very helpful for more targeted studying. The Princeton Review and Barron’s both offer excellent materials on almost every subject that can help students prepare for their specific tests. Other companies have excellent prep books for one or two particular subjects, so please consult us if you are curious about the best books for your student. Review books can be especially helpful for students who will be taking an AP exam for a class they were not enrolled in throughout the year.
Have your student set up regular review sessions with their peers to discuss class content and ask questions. Regular meetings help students set aside required time for AP preparation and can help them engage with materials more deeply than they might on their own. At Octant Academics, we are happy to help you determine the best study plan and strategies for your student’s specific AP courses.
FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES
“AP Central.” College Board: Beyond the test structure and practice questions, the College Board offers a wide range of resources for preparation, including exam tips. Provided unit content and key takeaways can help guide studying efforts.
“Get Ready for AP Exams.” The Princeton Review: We’ve referenced this guide in the past because we find it to be a valuable reminder of how students should approach your AP study prep. The main takeaway being that students should find their ideal study plan and stick to it.
“Studying 101: Study Smarter, Not Harder.” The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: This guide reinforces many of our recommendations for AP and general study approaches to best prepare for exams. Students can incorporate some of these ideas into their study plan to engage more actively with the content.