As the school year winds down, many high school students find themselves preparing for their Advanced Placement exams, which take place throughout the early weeks of May. AP exams offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit and demonstrate their learning in a college-level test for various subjects.

Students spend anywhere from a few days, to a few months studying for these important tests. In some cases, students have a consistent foundation. Other students have opted for self-study, using textbooks, online resources, and practice exams to prepare themselves for the exam. “I bought an online course from Heimler’s History to study for APUSH, I think it helped me a lot on the test,” says sophomore Gilbert Knight.

One common preparation method for AP exams is taking practice exams. Many students use the College Board’s official practice exams to gauge their readiness and identify areas where they need to focus their studying. They may also use other resources, such as review books or online practice questions, to supplement their studying.

Another important aspect of AP exam preparation is time management. Many AP exams are three hours long and require students to complete a large number of questions in a short amount of time. To succeed on these exams, students need to be able to manage their time effectively and stay focused throughout the exam. 

Senior George Heilig explains how he typically studies for his AP exams, “I started preparing for my AP exams really early, because I know how busy April and May get for me.” Instead of crunching at the last minute like many other students, Heilig spread his studying out over time.

Overall, AP exams are a challenging but rewarding experience for high school students. By dedicating themselves to their studies and preparing diligently for the exams, students can earn college credit, demonstrate their mastery of college-level material, and set themselves up for success in the future.