Many students take advantage of AP classes in high school — as well they should, as they provide an excellent window into what a freshman college course demands and also the chance to earn valuable hours of college credit.
However, to secure the credit, most colleges require either a 4 or a 5 on the AP exam. Obtaining such a high score is not an easy task and requires lots of work and dedication.
All AP exams follow a two-part format — a multiple choice section and a free response section, which requires either working problems (Calculus or Chemistry for example) or writing essays (Literature or U.S. History, to name only two). All AP courses use the same textbook, and all exam questions come from the same content source. So, your best place to begin studying is with your textbook — all of it, even if your class does not cover every chapter.
AP exams are cumulative, and reviewing for the exams requires advance preparation. Do you remember the content of the chapters from October? How can I organize the material to best retain it for the test? These need to be the focus of any good AP exam prep.
Also, the College Board, at its AP Central site, offers a thorough explanation of all the content covered on every exam, sample questions and even a library of past free response questions.
We know that many AP teachers conduct a review in the month leading up to the exam, and these reviews are very helpful, especially if they use released multiple choice tests to help you prepare. But waiting for your teacher’s review may not be sufficient time to prepare for you. You may need much more lead time and may need to review and practice certain areas or question types — especially if you want a 4 or a 5.
We offer programs to help prepare for the AP exams in many subjects. If you want to learn more about how we help you prepare for the AP exams, contact us — we can help.