The Advanced Placement (AP) exam season is around the corner, and students are beginning exam preparations. With these exams covering a course’s worth of college-level content, both students and teachers must make efforts to ensure success.
AP classes are high school courses that feature entry-level college material to prepare students for higher education and beyond. With these heightened academic standards, it is not surprising that students have formed misconceptions about what the exams are like for these classes. The spread of such notions can often lead to high levels of anxiety for some.
Sophomore Darshika Domma took the AP Human Geography and AP Computer Science A exams last year, and she notes that those around her affected her impression of the exam.
“Personally, I think everyone just stressed out for no reason, myself included,” Domma said. “I thought they were gonna be really hard, but then I took it and I realized it actually wasn’t that bad.”
Myths about the exams can cause an unnecessary amount of stress and can affect a student’s test-taking abilities. It is up to the student to filter through these stories from their peers to prevent anxiety.
Stress and anxiety prior to an assessment are common among students looking to do their best. However, AP exam season often features heightened tension for students due to the pressure to perform well, making teachers critical during these times. For instance, AP Precalculus teacher Ms. Underwood describes how she takes the pressure off students, while still ensuring the work for preparation is being done.
“I try to help the kids understand to have a plan,” Ms. Underwood explained. “The [plan] might not be perfect, but you’ll get there. So, that is the way we relieve anxiety over a test is preparation.”
AP teachers are critical in giving support to students, ensuring the students get help while being able to independently work on their exam preparations. Because of the depth of AP material, students usually need to dedicate time outside of class for revising and mastering the concepts. Independence and self-responsibility are key features of AP classes, which is important to keep in mind when such classes. According to Ms. Underwood, teachers can do their best in providing the resources, but it is the students’ responsibility to spend time on them.
“The kids need to fit in with the structure of AP Precalculus,” Ms. Underwood said. “Because a lot…are taking multiple AP courses and you’re in a lot of outside activities. So, the one key that trumps everything else is spending time on what we’re giving you.”
Time management is a key skill in both AP exams and in student preparation. There are a variety of strategies for students to optimize their studying, such as doing practice questions and reviewing notes. Minimizing distractions, such as sitting in a quiet room or turning off one’s phone, can also help in time management.
Studying for these exams can seem like a difficult task that students have to do without the assistance of others. Studying for one’s AP exams can seem like an uphill battle, but they should remember that they are not alone. Whether it be support from teachers or study sessions with friends, AP exam season is a team effort, with everyone sharing a commitment to student success.
