April 24, 2018

Well it’s that time of year again. AP testing season is here and with that comes the stress and anxiety of preparing for those massive college level exams. AP tests are a culmination of the work you’ve done all year and are a great way to save money while earning college credit. However, these tests are no joke. Preparation and focus are key to passing and will ultimately help alleviate some of that added pressure.

The tests themselves, while they can be difficult and stressful, are not impossible. Many students psyche themselves out when it comes to AP exams when in reality they’re just tests.

“They’re similar to what you would expect a normal final to be like,” said senior Justina Le, “They cover the entirety of the course and they’re a little more intense.”

“The preparation was grueling but the test themselves were doable.” said senior Tanya Emery.

Of course, passing the exam doesn’t just happen magically. With AP tests, studying is one of the most important factors that will determine your success. This doesn’t just mean in class though. Many students who do well on AP exams will spend hours outside of class, at study sessions, or in the library reviewing content and practicing test taking.

“It helps going over review packets and areas I struggled most,” said Le.

“I’d say lots of review packets, practice tests, and testing my knowledge.” said senior Addie Albro.

Whether it’s attending the after school study sessions or looking through old assignments, studying will increase your chances of doing well on these exams.

In addition to studying, an important thing to do while preparing for AP tests is controlling stress. This sounds a lot easier to do than it actually is. Taking a personal day or spending time on hobbies can do a lot to combat the stressful feelings that come with testing season. Senior Tanya Emery loves doing theater outside of school and uses her love of the stage to help her get through this difficult time.

“[To combat stress] I make sure to find time to focus on the arts,” she said.

“During this time, I’m usually involved in Spring Fest so going to rehearsals is nice,” said Le.

Yes, AP tests are a big deal but with dedication, persistence, and resilience, getting a 3,4 or even 5 can be obtainable. Study hard and make time to relax and decompress, Cougs. AP season is here but so are you.