5 Tips from a Veteran AP Student

Maanya Sharma survived several AP courses and exams in her time as a student at Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. She shares here some of the hard lessons she learned and strategies she used.

First things first: What are APs?

Advanced Placement (AP) classes are available in high schools nationwide and cover numerous subjects. These classes are regarded as equivalent to college-level courses in both difficulty and content and culminate in an AP Exam in May that assesses all the subject matter.

Because AP classes and exams determine your proficiency in certain subjects, you may be able to earn college credit while you are still in high school. The AP Exams are graded on a scale of 1-5, with 3 considered a passing grade. Whether you receive credit for a class, however, depends on the college. For instance, some colleges grant credit for AP scores of 3 and above, while others only give credit for a score of 5, and sometimes, the same college will have different cutoff scores for different subjects.

As someone who took multiple AP classes throughout high school, trust me when I say these classes are much more rigorous and demanding than your regular classes. Here are 5 tips to help you succeed in your AP classes and exams this year.

1. Utilize AP Classroom, and get study tools from the people who write the exams

I learned the hard way that AP Classroom, a tool provided by the College Board (the company behind the APs), is more beneficial as a long-term study resource than cramming the week before. Many students overlook this valuable tool and only open it last minute, missing out on the benefits it offers. Once your teacher signs you up, familiarize yourself with AP Classroom's resources, including AP Daily Videos, quizzes, and practice tests. Starting early will allow you to maximize these resources and develop solid study habits that will benefit you in the long run.

2. Stay organized, or risk falling behind and missing out

When you're juggling a heavy workload of AP classes and managing your life outside of school, it's easy to find yourself falling behind quickly. Playing catch up can be a real challenge if you fall behind in an AP course, and may lead to serious consequences, such as struggling to grasp the material, missing out on essential content, and maybe even missing the opportunity to submit everything before the end of the semester. 

To prevent this from happening, prioritize staying organized and on top of your assignments. One effective way to do this is to create a system for tracking important dates such as deadlines, tests, and presentations. By staying on top of these key dates, you can ensure that you are well-prepared and won't miss any crucial requirements. 

I found it most helpful to write down assignments and their due dates in an agenda book but trying a few different methods can help determine what works best for you. Some alternatives can be using a spreadsheet to track assignments and tests (many templates are available for free online) or using an organization app like Google Calendar, Trello, Asana, etc.

3. Take notes in class: your teacher has a good idea of what to expect on the exam 

The key to studying effectively is to ensure that you have access to high-quality study material. It's a common misconception among students that they will remember everything the teacher says, so they neglect taking notes in class. However, taking comprehensive and organized notes not only assists in preparing for upcoming assessments but also gives you an idea of the most important topics in the course according to your teacher. These notes can also be a valuable resource for completing homework assignments and revising the course content for better comprehension.

The type of notes you should take will vary depending on the class. For instance, it would make more sense to take notes for classes like AP Calculus and AP Physics in a notebook. On the other hand, notes for classes such as AP United States History and AP English Language and Composition could be taken online because they are more focused on text.

4. Develop good study habits now to set yourself up for success in college

Taking an AP class offers multiple benefits, not only by helping you get ready for college-level material and exams but also by preparing you for the academic rigors of college courses. The most effective study habits vary for each individual based on their learning style and preferences. For example, it could involve diligently reviewing the day's material for 30 minutes, or conducting a comprehensive review at the end of each week. Ultimately, it's important to determine the study method that best suits your unique learning needs. 

Making flashcards on Quizlet was my most helpful resource–the act of typing up definitions and the repetitive nature of the app helped drill them into my head. 

5. Start studying for the exam early; it’s a marathon, not a sprint

Because AP exams evaluate a student's grasp of the material covered over the course of an entire year, they are also testing your endurance and stamina. Starting your preparation early can greatly enhance your performance. Beginning ahead of time allows you to comprehensively review all relevant material and identify any weaker areas so that you can focus on strengthening your overall understanding.