The countdown is officially on as the AP exam season is once again upon us.
It’s an anxiety-inducing and draining time of the school year that every student dreads, so as an AP exam test-taker myself, I’m hoping to offer you a few helpful tips that’ll make your AP exam process less stressful.
Whichever exam or exams you may be writing, there are some universal tips you can rely on.
One, start studying now. As clichés and obvious as it sounds, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reviewing as soon as possible rather than procrastinating and waiting to cram at the last minute.
APs are dense and contain content meant to challenge a college student, so as high-schoolers, we have to work especially hard to ensure we do well.
Studying over time and spending 20 to 30 minutes a day reviewing material for each exam will assuage your concerns and make you feel more confident. The material will start to feel like a part of you rather than a distant and faint memory you struggle to grasp on Test Day.
I speak from experience when I say, “Slow and steady wins the race,” and I can confidently say that I believe it to be undoubtedly true.
Two, during study time, remember to switch off. Put your phone away on a shelf in your bedroom or on the counter in the kitchen so that while you are studying, you do not struggle with the urge to scroll and procrastinate.
Our cell phones constantly distract us, and even though we can rely on them daily, they will be far out of reach when you’re writing your exam.
So disconnect now and practice focusing on your work with your full attention. It’ll make a world of difference.
Three, the day before you write your exam, study and review your material one last time, but do NOT overdo it.
If you try to cram every last piece of information into your head on the day before your exam, you won’t do yourself any good. You’ll only focus on all the tiny details you don’t know and tire yourself out rather than allowing yourself to reset and mentally prepare for your exam.
Four, if you need to bring any materials with you to your exam — be it a calculator for AP Statistics or a ruler for AP Physics — pack it in your bag the day before.
The last thing you need is to spend the half hour before your exam running around your house looking for your calculator because you misplaced it and desperately need it for your exam.
Organization is your friend, as is preparedness. You can never be too organized or prepared for your AP exam because both qualities will give you the upper hand on your exam.
Five, once you make it to Test Day, remember to eat a healthy and balanced breakfast that will sustain you throughout your exam. It can’t hurt to pack a bar or small fruit in your bag, too!
Writing your exam is much easier when you don’t have to worry about a grumbling stomach. But, if you’re like me and feel a little sick before your test due to the nerves, please simply eat as much as possible. Headaches and hunger are not your friends when you’re testing, so beware and be warned.
Six — the last tip I have for you — is to take a deep breath once you start your exam and focus solely on yourself. I know how scary and intimidating it is to sit in a room full of other students writing a big exam, but remaining calm and composed will make your life more trouble-free.
It’s easier said than done, I know, but the best thing you can possibly do is center yourself and remember that your test score does not define you as a person.
Stop stressing and remember that the finish line is just within reach. I hope these tips boost your confidence, and I wish you the best of luck on your exam!
