Preparation for AP Exams

However, before AP students can achieve that level of relaxation, they must first face the daunting task of completing their AP exams. Every junior and senior is eligible to sign up for Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which are equivalent to college-level courses. If students pass their exams in May with a score of 3 out of 5 or higher, they may have the option of waiving certain freshman level college classes. If students maintain at least a C- in their AP class, their class also acts as a GPA booster, in that their letter grade is actually worth 10% more than what they receive.
The main purpose of taking a college-level course in high school is to earn credits early on. Therefore, exam preparation and skills are central focuses for AP teachers and students alike. For students, the intensity of AP classes become clear when teachers at this college-preparatory school begin to dole out the practice/mock exams. AP Literature and Composition teacher Alexandra Taylor said, “Most of my curriculum is explicitly geared to prepare students for the exam, and I try to have students write at least four or five practice essays each quarter. More than any other class during my high school experience, my AP Literature class prepared me for college…I did very well on the exam because of the excellent preparation I received from my senior English teacher.”
[one_third]Along with in-class mock exams, Counselor Danford Chang suggests taking practice exams on the College Board website. He explained, “Earlier is better when it comes to studying for AP exams. Don’t let them sneak up on you, and don’t underestimate the time that goes into earning a 4 or a 5…By preparing early, you can make note of any problems or concepts you may find confusing and you will have time to sit down with a teacher, tutor, or classmate to get your questions answered ahead of time.”
Here are some other tips students, teachers, and counselors have for AP exam takers: