Abdullah Abdul Karim (10) studies for his AP World History exam by making notecards.
9 Easy Ways to Prepare:
- Buy a Princeton review book – College Board has AP review books that you can buy depending on the subject that you are taking. The review books have everything that you need to know about the test. They walk you through how to do the writing or multiple choice section of your test. There are also multiple practice tests in the books to see what units you need to work on. In addition, there’s a breakdown of each unit along with questions for that unit. Make sure that if that’s the study method you would like to do, that you buy the book soon!
- Go to study sessions – Paschal offers study sessions. During these sessions, FRQs (free response questions) and MCQs (multiple choice questions) are practiced. Food is also provided. The study sessions are very helpful and sometimes, certain teachers will give you extra credit for going! In order to sign up, ask your teacher for the link or check your email, as many administrators have been sending out dates, along with links to book your spot.
- Utilize Quizlet – Quizlet already has many good flashcard sets available depending on what AP class you are taking. If you aren’t satisfied with one, then you can always make your own. Digital flashcards are very helpful, and you can download the app on your phone and study on the go. There are many other features on the app like matching activities, practice tests, and you can even play Block Blast while studying!
- Watch videos – There are many good videos about AP exam topics. There are ones on Youtube, and AP Classroom may have some if your teacher posted them. It is good to hear the information out loud so that you can process it better and get it in your long term memory. You can always take notes as you watch, but sometimes, it’s better to simply sit and take in the information without taking notes at all. Find what works best for you and use it to your advantage.
- Make flashcards – If you aren’t a fan of digital flashcards, then you can make your own using notecards. If you’re in AP Psychology, you know the importance of notecards. They will come in handy when studying for the exam. Notecards can be time consuming to make, but if you have some from throughout the year, it can be a lot easier.
- Don’t cram – When you cram your studying and stay up all night, it will not help you retain the information. Instead, from the lack of sleep, you won’t perform as well on your test due to reduced cognitive function. Although this can be hard, try to space your study time throughout multiple weeks. This will help lower your stress levels and retain the information better.
- Practice tests – There are many free practice tests online. You can also review the progress checks you have done in class throughout the year.
- Study with friends – When you study with your friends, you are better able to rehearse and attain the information. It helps you enjoy studying more and you are able to support each other. It is important to have someone’s support when you are studying for something big like an AP exam. Beyond this, simply talking about the content and discussing it with peers can do wonders.
- Slides – Look over slides from the year. Your teacher will usually have slides on Canvas. These slides can be very helpful and provide a lot of information that is important on the test.
Following these tips and study methods will surely help you with your exams, but remember that everyone is different, so find what works for you and go for it. Good luck and make sure to start studying as soon as possible!
