As AP Testing gets closer, students across the campus begin preparing in different ways to do their best. Some students create flashcards and practice with them, while others study with their friends. Each student comes up with their own plan that works for their learning style. Looking at how students prepare for the AP tests can show us which methods are the best and how they affect student performance. Knowing when to begin studying is an important part of preparation.
“You usually want to start studying at least two months before,” says junior Evaluna Whaley. “You might end up forgetting a lot before you take the test, so you don’t want it to be too far away.”
Students have many different ways of studying, with one of the most common being taking practice tests. The repetition helps them remember the material.
“Practice tests are definitely helpful,” says junior Ashley Dunn. “You can take questions from previous tests that you’ve taken and just copy and paste them into a doc and do it yourself.”
Another popular way students study is through online resources. For example, YouTube channels such as Heimler’s History break down complex topics into simpler lessons, which helps a lot of students prepare for their exams.
“For history, I use Heimler’s History,” says Whaley. “He’s really good at doing reviews, especially when he does a countdown before the AP test and an overview of each period.”
On top of these study strategies, some students also use small motivational tricks to stay consistent while preparing.
“Last year, I got myself a new pair of shoes before the AP test, but I wouldn’t let myself wear them until the test was over,” says Dunn. “I had them sitting on my dresser, and I would look at them every single time I was studying, so I had that to go for.”
Dunn also emphasized that how you approach studying overall matters just as much as the specific methods do.
“If you studied in class and did well in the class itself, you should be good,” says Dunn. “Don’t cram right before the test, because that’s not going to help you.”
