Get your fix of AP tips and tricks so a year's work is not for nix

By Salena Hajidamji, Staff Writer

The Advanced Placement (AP) exam is a standardized testing method to award credit for college-level courses to high school students. All the tests primarily consist of two aspects— a multiple-choice section and some form of a free-response. It is graded on a five point scale ranging from the lowest score, one, all the way up to the highest, five. To receive credit for the AP class, students are required to complete a rigorous and time intensive exam and receive a score of at least a three. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of exams will be administered online with some exceptions like languages, music theory and physics. Despite this accommodation, the exam material and length will not be compromised and is expected to look no different than it has looked in previous years. 

With less than a month until AP exams begin, students have begun to prepare for their test dates. This season has proven to be a stressful time, which is why it is important to know the best tips and tricks to achieve the highest score possible. For example, it is important to start preparations early in order to have enough time to master all of the material. One method that has been scientifically proven to be helpful is interval studying, a process that suggests breaking the content into digestible chunks while taking scheduled breaks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

Another helpful tip is to take practice exams to ensure that there is an understanding of what is being tested. This also allows students to become familiar and comfortable with the content and the format of the test.

“I have found it useful to immerse myself into the subject, continuously practicing until I gain a strong grasp of the information.” Ryan Kashanchi (’21) said. 

One way to do this is to utilize online resources, such as the platform the College Board has provided, AP Central. Within AP Central, AP Classroom provides multiple-choice and free-response questions that are graded with personalized feedback. They have also recently implemented AP Daily, a video format to teach students about each topic or unit in an effective way. Along with the College Board, Khan Academy offers free videos, articles and practice for almost every subject. 

However, all of the studying doesn't matter unless you maintain an organized and well-balanced studying schedule. Most students have to study for multiple AP exams at once while also managing other aspects of their life. Ensuring that time is being used effectively while not overworking is arguably the most crucial part of the preparation process.