With the Advanced Placement testing season looming near, it is time for students to think about beginning their preparation. This process differs from student to student, as every AP class is different and student’s study strategies may differ.
Due to the considerable amount of material that students are required to know, studying can be a daunting task. Senior Marvin Kapfer prefers to begin reviewing at the beginning of the semester and slowly build up the amount of time he reviews as he gets closer to the test.
“I study for several hours at a time. Sometimes even hitting 2-3 study sessions per day,” Kapfer said.
Senior Henry Hanrath believes that AP teachers often work review and test preparation into the course. Although study time outside of class is still necessary, it puts less of a burden on the students.
“For most AP classes, preparation [for the exam] starts at the beginning of the year within the classroom,” Hanrath said.
When preparing independently, AP students have a variety of options to choose from. AP test preparation books have been growing in popularity as they combine content review with practice problems.
Freshman Crosby Kober prefers to combine note review and practice test books to get the most out of his studying.
“I use practice tests and also look back at my notes and memorize the definitions, models, and formulas that will be on the test,” Kober said.
Utilizing online resources can be beneficial for students that want to have the most success on their AP tests. AP Classroom is an online website that offers content review and practice problems that closely simulate the questions that will appear on the AP test.
“I use resources in AP Classroom and I like to watch YouTube videos like CrashCourse and Heimler’s History to prepare. With the advent of AI, I’ve used it more and more as a productive resource,” Hanrath said.
Finding which study strategy works best is crucial for students to prepare effectively for tests. On top of this, getting into a routine that stays consistent throughout the test preparation time is crucial. This might mean finding a space that allows students to focus or finding a snack that students can use to fuel their studying.
Kapfer finds that he can focus best at the library and prefers to eat fruit snacks while he studies whereas Kober prefers to study at his desk in his room and likes to eat popcorn and Takis to help fuel his studying.
Regardless of the food that students enjoy while they study, one thing is certain, AP tests are hard to prepare for and it is important that students start preparing early and stay in a routine until the day of the test.
