Crunch Time: Last-Minute AP Exam Study Tips

Tick tock, tick tock- the countdown is on! AP exams are just days away, and we know that means a lot of stress and study overload for students. So what do you do if you’re trying to juggle exam prep for your four APs or can’t seem to manage your test anxiety? How do you possibly find time in your already- packed schedule for review? Easy! Read our list of last-minute study tips to ensure you’ll feel confident and ready to tackle your AP exams. 

Identify what you know and don’t know

It’s crunch time, so you’ll need to be really strategic about your study plans. That means figuring out WHAT you need to study over the next several days. Look through your materials- practice tests, class notes, old assignments- to figure out exactly what you already know and don’t know. We recommend creating three categories to help you sort the content:

• What I already know well…

• What I’ll know better when I review…

• What I don’t know at all…

Why the categories? Well, first of all, an organized list will make a year’s worth of AP content- which can be really overwhelming- much more manageable. Second, this method will likely boost your confidence when you see the long list of concepts you’ve already mastered. Third, you’ll be able to make better decisions about how much study time you’ll realistically need and what material you’ll need to focus on the most.

Book study appointments with yourself

Look closely at your calendar for the next week or two and identify specific windows of time that you can dedicate to studying each day. And by specific, we mean specific. Don’t just think to yourself, “I'm free on Sunday. I’ll study then.” Are you really going to spend your ENTIRE day studying? Probably not! And even if you do, you’re not going to get the best results by completing an 8+ hour cramming marathon. Your brain is going to tire out!  Instead, divide your studying into smaller chunks of time each day, so you’re more likely to retain the material. 

But how do you actually hold yourself accountable for studying every day? Book study appointments with yourself! After you find blocks of time in your day for studying, mark them off your calendar. Seriously, block them off as actual events on your Google calendar, just as you would a dentist appointment or a track practice. This way you’ll feel less stressed, knowing exactly when and where your studying fits into your day. And you’ll be more likely to stick to your plan. Bonus: even if you forget your study appointment, your phone will remind you! 

Take a practice test…again

Hopefully you’ve taken practice tests before, but go ahead and take another one–or two– in the days leading up to your exam. Not only will the practice test help you identify any last minute weaknesses or gaps; it’s also great training for a timed exam. Just be sure NOT to take a practice test the night before the actual exam. Let your brain get some rest! 

Sleep! 

Speaking of rest, trading in sleep for all-night study sessions might seem like a great way to ace your AP exams, but it can actually end up having the opposite effect. Lack of sleep affects your ability to memorize and recall information AND decreases your concentration levels. Not to mention, less sleep can also also affect your mood, making you more likely to feel anxious and stressed when it comes time to take your test. 

Not convinced by our parental-sounding advice? Then take a look at this scientific study: Should I study or should I go to sleep?

Reach out for help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your upcoming AP exams, remember that there are plenty of people who can help you. Organize a study session with friends, whether it’s to play a review game or complete some practice problems. Chances are they’ll be able to help you with confusing concepts and vice versa. Your parents and siblings can be great review buddies, too. They might not be experts in psychology or physics, but they can certainly quiz you on vocabulary. And don’t forget your teacher. They may be willing to organize an extra study session or offer you some additional advice or resources. You just have to ask!

Still feel like you need a bit more support in the coming weeks? Consider booking an academic coaching session with us! We can help you create a study schedule, organize your materials, develop strategies to combat test anxiety, and more. Schedule a meeting here.

Good luck to everyone taking AP exams! We are rooting for you!

FAQs About AP Course Selections...Answered!

Every year, we get lots of questions from families about AP course selections. So we decided to answer your most popular inquiries on the blog today.

What are the benefits of an AP class?

There are many advantages to taking an Advanced Placement course. From an admissions standpoint, AP classes are a great way to show colleges you’re challenging yourself academically and handling the rigors of college-level coursework. AP coursework can also reinforce your interest in and readiness for a particular major. For example, if you want to become an engineer, it’s helpful for a college to see that you can excel in high-level math and science courses. Plus, your GPA might get a boost, depending on whether or not your high school uses a weighted GPA scale. 

And that’s not all. AP classes may save you time and money later on, because you have the potential to earn college credits and maybe even bypass some introductory classes once you get to college. Note, of course, that this is not the case everywhere: students attending public colleges and universities will often find more generous AP credit policies than those at private institutions.

Are there any drawbacks to taking an AP course?

Of course! As with anything, there are some potential drawbacks you should be aware of when deciding to take an AP class. First and foremost, AP classes are hard! They are purposely designed to challenge you and will require a great deal of time and investment on your part. 

It’s also important to recognize that an AP class might not necessarily be a good fit for you. Just because an Advanced Placement course is offered at your school doesn't mean you have to take it. Your academic skills in a particular subject might be better suited for a regular or honors section. A good rule of thumb: if you think an AP class might be so hard that it impacts your ability to succeed in the rest of your classes, don’t take it. And if you’re still not sure that you’re ready for an AP class, talk with your teacher in that subject area. 

Finally, let’s talk college credits. Taking an AP class doesn’t guarantee college credit, even if you work really hard - even if you ace the course the entire year! It all depends on how well you perform on the AP exam in May, AND - as mentioned above - whether your future college or university will award credit in the first place.

WHICH AP courses are offered to high school students?

There are actually 38 (yes, 38!), AP courses offered by the College Board. You can see the full list of classes here. Now that doesn’t mean your school will offer all 38 AP classes, so be sure to check with your teachers and counselors to find out what courses are available to you. If there is an AP class you really want to take but your school doesn’t offer it, keep reading! We have alternative solutions! 

Some of the most popular classes include AP Spanish Language, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB, and our favorite, AP English Language and Composition. While these are definitely tried-and-true Advanced Placement courses, the College Board has also been developing two new classes over the past few years. AP Precalculus has finally passed the development phase and will be officially offered in the fall of 2023. AP African American History- the controversial course that’s been making news headlines recently- will be piloted at several schools during the 2023-2024 school year.  

In fact, as of early March, there are eight schools in Fairfax County, Virginia that plan to offer the AP African American History:

1. Chantilly HS

2. Fairfax HS

3. Hayfield HS

4. McLean HS

5. South County

6. Westfield HS

7. West Potomac HS

8. Woodson HS

How many AP courses should I take?

Unfortunately, there is no standard or right number of AP classes that a student should take. It really depends on the individual. If you’re planning to apply to highly competitive institutions, you’ll definitely want to be more rigorous with your AP course loads. Think about your college list and do some research to get a better sense of the academic caliber required for top schools.

It’s also important to be realistic about your time and abilities. Sure, you might think five AP courses looks impressive on your senior year transcript, but you’re not going to look so great to an admissions committee if your GPA takes a dive. Don’t overload yourself so much that you can’t maintain your grades–or keep up with important extracurricular commitments. 

Do some AP classes look better than others on a college application?

Some AP classes are notorious for being more difficult than others. We’re looking at you, AP Physics. However, the pass rates and difficulty level don’t necessarily make a class better when it comes to your college applications. The AP classes that look best on your transcript depend on your academic areas of interest. For example, if you plan to major in business, then you’ll want to prioritize AP courses in math and economics. 

Also, the best AP classes are those that don’t torture you. Let’s say that foreign languages have always been a struggle for you. Well, then avoid signing up for AP Spanish. Instead, invest your time and energy into an AP class that is better suited to your academic strengths and your future plans.  

What if my school doesn’t offer AP classes?

If your school doesn’t offer AP courses-or maybe the particular AP subject you’re looking for- don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways that you can challenge yourself academically and potentially earn college credit.

First, consider the International Baccalaureate program, better known as IB, if that’s available at your high school instead of AP courses. If you’re curious about what differentiates IB from AP and others, check out this page on the IB website. Know that colleges and universities have absolutely no preference between AP and IB, so students should pick the option that’s right for them - or, from a practical standpoint, the option their school offers!

Another option is to enroll in an AP course online through a virtual school or program. For example, Virtual Virginia currently offers 27 Advanced Placement courses for high schoolers in the state. Just be sure to talk with your school counselor because you’ll need to make sure that the online school or program is accredited. 

Some brave students may opt for another pathway to earning AP credit: self-study. Instead of taking a year-long AP course, you simply register for the exam- which you’ll take either at your school or at a nearby high school- and then prepare independently. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! Self-study isn’t for everyone. You have to be extremely self-motivated, not to mention capable of learning the material with only the help of prep books and tutorial videos. If you’re considering the self-study route, opt for AP subjects which have content that overlaps with your coursework, experiences, or skills. For example, AP Environmental Science is a popular self-study option because students will have already studied some of the material in their biology classes. AP United States History is a great option for students who are taking US History at schools that don’t offer the AP version. Again, be sure to talk with your counselor about this option–and early! You’ll need to register for the exam in the fall, and your counselor can help you find a testing site. 

A non-AP alternative to earning college credits is a dual enrollment program. In this type of program, students take college-level classes through a local community college or university and earn college credits while satisfying their high school requirements. Unlike an AP course, dual enrollment classes don’t require students to pass a special exam at the end of the year. You’ll earn your college credits just by passing the class. Just be aware that not all high schools offer dual enrollment, and your credits aren’t guaranteed to be accepted by your future college or university. 

Finally, don’t forget to consider honors classes! While they won’t allow you to earn college credits, they can give a nice boost to your GPA and show admissions committees that you’re challenging yourself. 

Do you need help with course selections?

If you need help making decisions about course selections and class schedules, book a strategy session with us. 

Weekly Update: May 20

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AP PRECALCULUS!

Yes, you read that right. College Board announced this week that it will be offering an AP Precalculus option in the 2023-2024 school year. The announcement comes in the wake of numerous articles (including some we shared on this blog) that cover the lack of math preparation for high school students during the pandemic. College Board asserts that the new course offering will better prepare students for college math, particularly STEM-related majors. 

PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FALLS

I’ve shared on the blog before about my decision to pull my daughter out of her public school and it turns out I’m not alone! Since 2020, public school enrollment is down by over a million students. Many of these students moved to private or parochial schools, or were even homeschooled, while others dropped out of school due to job loss, homelessness, lack of Wi-Fi access, or other financial issues during the pandemic. The enrollment drop has particularly affected schools that had long periods of remote instruction. And since school budgets are tied to enrollment, public schools will likely be dealing with a drop in funding as well. This may be a contributor to some school districts’ reluctance to reinstate mask mandates or vaccination requirements for fear of losing even more students. 

MENTAL HEALTH DAY OF ACCEPTANCE

Here in our office we were excited to join in on today’s Virginia-wide American Academy of Pediatrics “Wear Green Day of Action” for Mental Health acceptance! (Can you tell that none of us really have green in our wardrobes?! We tried…)

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We love summer reading in our office, and not just because we’re book lovers! “What is a great book you’ve read recently?” or “What are you reading right now?” or “What is your favorite book?” are very common interview questions for students, and summer is a great time to learn something new AND prepare your answers at the same time. Not sure where to start? Check out our nonfiction summer reading recommendations from the blog this week, or take a look at this Atlantic article for reviews of books based on college campuses or other educational settings.  

When it comes to paying for college, looking at a private vs. a public school is often one of families’ first considerations. But despite the popular wisdom, there are cases where a scholarship to a private school makes it more affordable than a public option - and many cases where an out-of-state public school can be as expensive or even more expensive than a private one! This Forbes article provides a run-down of the tuition costs for the most expensive public colleges by state, and might be a good place to start if public college is on your student’s list (and yes, UVA is #1 on this list).

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

The hot weather lately definitely reminds us that summer is coming! We are still adding to our Summer Opportunities Database every week. Most recently, we featured an opportunity for juniors and seniors in high school to join Mount Vernon’s Student Advisory Board. This is an awesome leadership opportunity for students interested in art, history, museum curation, education, or just networking and gaining experience!

And one more thing on the summer to-do list for juniors - essays! We are so excited to welcome McClain back to the office this summer - she will be available starting in mid-June for students to work with on their essays. Our calendar has been updated and students can now book appointments for June and July with McClain or Staci. If you have a busy summer ahead, we recommend booking those meetings now to make sure that you get the time slots that work best for you! 

McClain has been busy since last summer - check out her adorable new baby Theo, born in January!

Have a great weekend, and stay cool!

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Weekly Update: May 6

It’s a rainy weekend ahead, so we’ve got some good reads to keep you busy!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ABA COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT LAW SCHOOLS STOP REQUIRING LSAT

A committee from the American Bar Association has advised the organization to put out an official recommendation for law schools to stop requiring the LSAT (or other standardized tests) as a factor in admissions decisions. They are not endorsing test-blind admissions, in which the organizations cannot factor in test scores, but believe that the schools should instead have the option.

Of course, the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC - the organization behind the LSAT) continues to stand by the importance of the test. It’s a tough decision, because higher LSAT scores are directly correlated with bar passage rates, so it’s easy to make the argument that they are important. At the same time, there are equity issues involved - test prep is very expensive, and under-represented groups traditionally score lower on the LSAT. Stay tuned on the final ABA decision!

FIRST WEEK OF AP EXAMS ARE OVER!

We have gotten a lot of panicked emails from families this week about the importance AP exams - I know they are stressful! I do think that these have become more important for students applying to highly selective schools now that the SAT Subject Tests are no longer. Unfortunately, students will not have scores for quite a while, but sometimes they feel less anxious after reviewing the free-response questions after the exams take place in order to get a sense of how their answers might stack up.

COLLEGE STUDENT SALARY EXPECTATIONS ARE WAY OFF FROM REALITY

The Class of 2022 is rather optimistic about the job market, believing that their average starting salaries will be approximately $104,000. Every single group of majors overestimated what they’d earn, with journalism majors overestimating by 139% and computer science majors overestimating by “just” 27%. It’s all about the power of positive thinking, right? :)

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

If you are a data geek like me and want to read more about how everything stacked up in the bloodbath that was the 2021-2022 college admissions cycle, don’t miss this CTAS Higher Ed Business report - it’s probably the most comprehensive piece I’ve read so far. They share that UCLA received more applications than any school in the country - just under 150,000. CRAZY!! Some of the other UC schools were next up in terms of volume, before NYU at 105,000 applications and Northeastern with 91,000. This represents increases of 30-40% for each of those schools since 2020.

But what I found most interesting were some of the schools that were specifically identified as having the most growth on a percentage basis rather than straight volume. Colgate is apparently the new hot school, along with other smaller schools like Macalester, Tufts, Dickinson, and Williams. As for the schools bucking the trends: Bowdoin, Tulane, and Pitzer. They had a particularly interesting theory about Tulane, so read the report!

That said, if you weren’t happy with your student’s 2021-2022 outcome - all is not lost! Check out this Washington Post piece about transfer admissions, which gives readers an inside look about the transfer process as well as the most recent statistics. It’s fascinating that some schools (like UVA, which this article covers heavily) are so much easier to get into via the transfer pathway and yet others are even harder than they were during the first-year admissions process.

Not quite an article, but I’ve been listening to a series on Freakonomics Radio that has been going viral in the college admissions world. First, What Exactly is College For?; then The University of Impossible-to-Get-Into; and yesterday, I Don’t Think the Country Is Turning Away From College. They are definitely worth a listen. Also, if you are a student looking for some summer reading, I HIGHLY recommend reading Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything - by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner. If I had a top ten list of books everyone should read, this would be on it - really makes you think about things differently!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It was a relatively quiet week this week because of AP exams, although we had a lot of new client consultations! If you are considering services for your Class of 2023 student, we are very close to reaching capacity and will soon move to our Late Start Waitlist. Our services will be valuable up until the very last minute, but there’s no question that the entire process is more stressful for students who start later.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! One of my own mom’s favorite sayings is “Little kids, little problems; big kids, big problems.” The older my own kids become, the more I realize how true that is and how incredibly stressful and challenging it can be for moms of teenagers today. We hope that all of you are able to relax and let somebody else handle all the problems (and reminders!) on Sunday :)

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Weak Spots, Water, and Walks: Quick Tips for AP and IB Exam Prep

Across the country, thousands of teenagers are busy studying for AP exams, which begin on Monday, May 2, and IB exams, which begin on Friday, April 29. While we hope that AP and IB students have been diligently preparing for months already, we understand that the days leading up to exams can be stressful and chaotic. So today we’re sharing tips to help these students maximize study time over the next two weeks and walk into their exams feeling confident!

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TAKE INVENTORY

One of the most important things you can do in the weeks leading up to your AP or IB exam is assess your strengths, weaknesses, and gaps. If you haven’t completed a practice test recently, now is the time to take one. Not only will it be a great dress rehearsal for the actual exam, it will also give you the opportunity to reflect. Do you need to refresh your memory on old material you learned back in October? Are there skills or content that you didn’t quite cover in class? Which areas are slowing you down or confusing you? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself as you look over the practice test. Also, look back at old assignments and instructor feedback to identify areas you'll want to focus upon. 

Of course, it’s not enough to simply take inventory mentally.  Make an actual checklist, so you have a quick reference sheet to help guide and organize your study sessions.

SCHEDULE YOURSELF

Whether you’re preparing for one exam or five, it’s crucial to make a schedule and manage your time wisely. Yes, we know teachers and parents have been dishing out advice on time management and study skills for years, but we have a quick (and painless) hack to make the next few weeks efficient. 

Are you ready for our secret? Use your phone calendar! Schedule in study sessions as you would any other appointment or event. If you think about it, you wouldn’t just skip a doctor appointment or your regularly scheduled sports practices. Apply that same mentality to your studying. You’ll be much more likely to prioritize your study sessions if you’ve factored them into your day. Bonus: your phone will send you plenty of reminders and alerts, too! 

Ideally, schedule yourself for thirty minute or one hour study blocks. However, even dedicating a fifteen minute window of time during your day to reviewing notes or looking over flashcards can make a difference. 

Are you convinced that you don’t have any extra time in your schedule to study? Well, think again. A few small changes to your usual routine can usually free up some extra minutes. For example, if you’re a morning person, consider waking up 30 minutes earlier and gaining some before-school study time. (Note: this is only a good idea if you’re actually getting a healthy full night of sleep to begin with). You can also maximize your time during study halls or a long lunch period to review. If you’ve got a long car ride home, study–as long as you’re the passenger, not the driver. 

We also encourage you to create a dedicated work space for yourself, whether that’s taking over your favorite corner of the library, finding a local coffee shop where you can study, or even carving out a quiet spot at home.

GATHER PREP MATERIALS

By this point in the year, you probably have a large collection of AP or IB prep materials. Gather those that will be most useful for review based on the inventory checklist you made earlier.  Start by looking through your own notes and files. Some students find it helpful to physically print out documents or convert notes into digital flashcards. We love Quizlet, especially because you can download the app on your phone and access all of your study materials with a quick tap of your screen. 

Also, don’t forget to log into your AP Classroom if you’re preparing for an AP exam. There are plenty of review materials under the “Exam” and “Exam Preparation” tabs. You’ll find everything from scoring guidelines to practice sets to daily video tips. If you’re not familiar with the AP Classroom and the digital resources offered by College Board, talk to your teacher. 

There are fewer options for IB students, but we really like the guides and past papers posted by PrepScholar.

For students who crave an actual prep book, order one on Amazon or visit your school or local library.

BE SOCIAL

In the weeks leading up to the exams, you might start to feel isolated with all of your solo prep sessions. But you don’t have to do it alone! Organizing a study group is a fantastic way to offer classmates support and get some extra help in areas where you have gaps. Plus, studying is always much more fun when you’re with your friends. Just be sure to stay on task! Make an agenda for your study sessions, so you have clear goals for what you want to cover and accomplish. 

We also recommend reaching out to your teacher if you need extra help, whether it’s stopping by during their office hours or requesting a study session.

STAY HEALTHY

Most importantly, don’t let AP exam stress get in the way of prioritizing your health. Especially when it comes to sleep, don’t trade in a night of zzz’s for more study time. Studies show that if you’re sleep deprived, these late nights won’t help you. Also, drink plenty of water (as opposed to coffee or energy drinks) and eat real food that will actually nourish you.

In between your study sessions, take a break from the screen, stretch, and take walks. Exercise is important for memory and retention. And of course, reward your hard work with things that make you happy, whether it’s listening to music or calling a friend.

GOOD LUCK ON AP AND IB EXAMS!