The Advanced Placement (AP) exam is a College Board standardized test directly related to a high school AP course. AP exams assess a student's mastery of college-level material.
Scoring well on an AP exam can help you in four ways:
College Credit and College Placement
Some schools offer college credit or advanced placement for high AP scores, saving you tuition.
Scholarships
Some scholarship applications require AP scores as eligibility criteria.
Stronger College Applications
Students taking the AP exams show academic rigor and college readiness, making them competitive applicants.
Skill Development
Students who take AP courses and exams enhance their critical thinking and study skills, setting them up for success.
Understanding the AP Exam Format
The AP exams evaluate student math, science, history, and language mastery.
What to Expect on AP Exam Day
Most AP exams combine multiple-choice and free-response questions. The test evaluates factual knowledge and analytical skills.
For instance, an AP Calculus exam includes multiple-choice and free-response questions. The free-response section requires the student tester to show their work for mathematical solutions.
An AP U.S. History exam may include short-answer and essay-based responses and multiple-choice questions.
There are unique exam formats, such as the AP Art and Design Exam and the AP Computer Science Exam. The Art and Design AP Exam requires an artwork portfolio. However, the AP Computer Science exam includes performance-task submission and code-based responses.
How AP Exams Are Scored
The AP test score scale is 1 to 5. A higher score indicates better performance. Many students take the AP Exams intending to test out of introductory-level or prerequisite college courses.
High AP Exam scores are typically 3, 4, or 5, and some colleges grant course credits for these AP scores. More competitive college programs may require a score of 4 or 5 to earn college credit.
Each university and college has its own AP credit policies. The College Board offers an
AP Credit Policy Search tool where students and parents can search by course or college.
When to Start Studying for an AP Exam
Studying is not your only investment in earning college credit in high school. An AP exam costs $99, so preparing for it is essential.
AP Study Timeline
In addition to your AP coursework, consider a complete exam prep three months before your AP Exam.
Month One
During the first month, you must build a strong understanding of key concepts and fill any knowledge gaps. Take a full-length or section-based diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Use your practice test results to help create a study plan. Consider reviewing one to two units per week.
Be sure you have study materials in one place for easy access. These may include your AP class notes, AP review books, or past AP exams. You can focus on understanding concepts, not just memorization. Begin practicing your free-response or essay-based questions with time constraints toward the end of month one.
Month Two
You can focus on strengthening your knowledge and adding time testing to your study method in the second month. Weekly timed practice tests will help you improve test-taking strategies, like the process of elimination and time management. As you later begin to take full-length practice exams, analyze your results to find areas of weakness, such as misreading, time pressure, or content gaps. Make sure your essay strategy includes evidence-based arguments.
Month Three
You can use the third month to nail down your best test strategies and reinforce exam knowledge. Identify any weak areas and focus your review on those. Depending on the AP exam you'll be taking, some students practice speed drills for multiple-choice questions and review key formulas, historical events, or scientific concepts.
How Much Time Should Be Dedicated to Studying
Space out your study sessions to build confidence and be the best prepared. Small, daily study sessions are more effective than last-minute cramming. Studying for an AP exam in one month is not recommended. Study time recommendations vary from student to student. The amount of time you should dedicate to studying depends on your familiarity with the subject, the exam difficulty, and study habits.
The Princeton Review recommends two to three months of AP Exam preparation, beginning in February or March.
Study Strategies for AP Exams
There are various ways to plan your AP exam study strategy, including multiple approaches.
Use Official College Board AP Exam Practice Tests
Timed practice tests and simulated exam conditions can improve your confidence. Because the College Board is the AP Exam administrator, their practice tests are great tools to
add to your study strategy. Your AP teacher has access to the College Board AP Classroom.
The AP Classroom tool offers questions from exams, sample responses, daily videos, and more. You can also preview and practice a test via Bluebook. Your AP teacher can connect you to the appropriate College Board AP Exam practice test.
Take Notes and Summarize Key Concepts
Your AP class notes, diagrams, and study guides will help you with memorization and visual learning. You can take good notes in your AP class to reference later as a study tool.
Review Past Exams and Practice Questions
It is wise to keep your previous AP exams and practice questions in a handy location. Your past scores can help you determine which areas to focus on. Review those problematic topics multiple times over several weeks before your AP Exam.
Find AP Study Groups
Sometimes, you need a change of study scenery. Join a study group to quiz each other and discuss concepts to reinforce your understanding of the AP topic.
Reddit's APStudents and
Discord offer AP forums, or you can teach a friend or family key concepts to evaluate your knowledge.
Use AP Prep Books and Online Study Guides
The Princeton Review and Barron's AP prep books are popular with students and instructors. Khan Academy offers free AP prep courses and practice questions.
Khan Academy's AP Prep Courses include AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Art History, and more.
Various online AP tutoring services are also available and can be expensive. For example,
The Princeton Review's AP 5 Tutoring costs $250 per hour but includes a score five guarantee.
Whether you use a book or an online study guide depends on your preference and budget.
Time Management and Avoiding Burnout
Don't try to cram in study time. Instead, set study goals. The Pomodoro Technique is a popular method that involves 25-30 minutes of studying, a five-minute break, and repeating. Review your most difficult subject topics multiple times over several weeks.
How to Create an AP Exam Study Schedule
When planning how long to study for an AP exam, you can work backward from May (the start month for all AP exams). If you begin studying in February (three months before the exam), consider dedicating seven hours weekly. If you start preparing in March (or two months before the exam), you should commit to 10 weekly hours.
You can customize your study schedule to fit in the right timing. Make your study schedule "a thing" by blocking off study time on your calendar; don't just pencil it in.
Managing Stress Before Your Exam
By
eating right and getting enough sleep, you can reduce stress to a minimum. Fuel yourself with high-protein meals and limit your caffeine intake. Waiting until the last minute to study will lead to anxiety and low exam scores.
Last-Minute Preparation Tips
You cannot wait until the last minute or even a week before an AP exam to prepare. But if you've worked on AP prep and studied ahead, you can incorporate some tips and tricks.
What to Do the Week Before the Exam
The week before your AP exam, focus on reviewing, practicing, and maintaining a good mindset. Prioritize your time reviewing topics that you struggle with. Take a full practice test in a timed setting. Know the key formulas if you are taking a math or science exam.
Keep studying and maintain a positive mindset about the upcoming test. Know you’ll do well on the exam and envision yourself taking it and confidently answering all the questions. Confidence is one of the secrets to success! If you have prepared, the last week before your exam should reinforce what you already know.
Exam Day Checklist
Make sure you have everything you need on exam day. Know where your test will be, how to get to your testing location and room, and when the AP test starts.
Be sure you bring the following items with you:
• AP Student Pack: This includes your AP number label sheet.
• Valid Photo ID: Some testing sites require a photo ID. It’s a good idea to bring one with you, just in case.
• Number Two Pencils: Consider bringing three number two pencils for multiple-choice questions. Mechanical pencils are NOT allowed.
• Black or Dark Blue Pens: Your essay or free-response questions require pens.
• AP Exam Approved Calculator: Check to see if the AP exam you’re sitting for allows calculators. Certain brands and models are approved.
• Analog Wristwatch: Your watch will help you stay paced. You cannot have an internet-connected smartwatch or alarms.
• Ruler or Straightedge: This is only for AP Physics exams.
• Sweater or Jacket: Testing rooms can be cool, and you don’t want your focus on how cold you feel.
• Nutritious Snack and Water: You cannot bring these inside the test room. However, you may want a quick snack during your break.
• Extra Calculator Batteries: You cannot bring your batteries into the exam room. These serve as a backup should your calculator batteries die.
It’s always a good idea to check with your school or testing center for any specific rules they may have.
Stay Confident and Do Your Best on Exam Day
Confidence and preparation go hand in hand. The night before your exam, pack your bag with everything you’ll need.
Do a light review before bedtime. Get a good night's sleep; eight hours will ensure you’re well-rested.
On the morning of your AP exam, you should eat a good breakfast with protein and carbs. Be sure to leave so you have plenty of time. It’s a good idea to arrive 30 minutes before the test. You don’t want to be flustered and in a rush.
During your exam, carefully read the questions and keep your eye on the time, but don’t rush. If you find yourself stuck on a problem, move on and return to it later. Should you get stuck, use the process of elimination to narrow down choices and boost your odds of picking the correct answer.
Take a deep breath, refocus if you feel stuck, and realize that one tricky question won’t defeat you. Use the offered break time to hydrate and stretch. Focus your energy on positivity and mindfulness. You’ve prepared for the test, and you will do great!
After the exam, reward yourself for your study effort by celebrating with your friends, enjoying your favorite meal, or relaxing and unwinding with some well-deserved "me time."