By Izzie Hathorn 

The Advanced Placement exam season is just around the corner and it kicks off on May 5th with AP Biology. Make sure that you are aware of your exam schedule! 

 

AP exams and any sort of testing can be very overwhelming, especially for those who are taking the exams for the first time. It is important to physically prepare yourself for your exams as much as possible but is also extremely important to prepare yourself mentally. Preparing oneself physically and mentally can go hand in hand. In order to make sure your mind is set and ready to be tested, it is obvious that you have to study a lot. Many times, people struggle with knowing how to study, but that can be fixed! 

 

Some of the most beneficial ways to study include doing any and all review material provided for you and using the active recall method. Active recall is a study method in which you continuously test yourself by using the information you have from memory instead of just reading notes. Active recall tends to be done a lot through making and using flashcards. Making flashcards very effectively helps your brain recall the information you need to remember by practicing with them over and over again. Teaching someone else the material can also be an example of active recall. Teaching information to others in order to study is also known as the Feynman technique. With this technique, you can teach a friend, family member, or even a pet the information you need to remember. This forces you to completely understand the material. Another example of the active recall method is blurting. This is done by quickly writing down everything you remember about a topic without looking at any notes. This is incredibly effective as it makes the material that you don’t know as well much more apparent. 

 

While AP exams are still different from regular everyday tests, these techniques can be beneficial for both regular tests and AP exams. Just because it has a fancier name doesn’t mean you should panic. Be aware that these exams are important, but you should focus on preparing for them as much as possible so you can be prepared mentally, releasing some of the stress you may have over the exam by being prepared. 

 

It is helpful to start studying as early as possible so you don’t feel rushed. It is also helpful to ask teachers for extra help and advice. Why not use all the resources you have available? Another great way to study is using or making practice tests. Your teachers may provide you with some practice tests, but if not, they are very easy to find online. Remember, the more you practice and physically prepare yourself, the more mentally prepared you will be! Little things like taking breaks and not having your phone in the room while studying can make a big difference. They can help you be more efficient with your studying, therefore making you more confident. Also with AP exams and any sort of big test, it is important to give yourself a break. A score does not define you. It does not tell you if you are intelligent or not or whether you will succeed in the future. It is easy to get upset over a score, but you need to focus on what you can control. You can control how prepared you are and how much effort you put in. You can also control your mindset. Go into your exams with confidence because of how prepared you are. 

 

Good luck!