5 Ways to Survive AP Exams

Sparkler equestrienne10 has proven she can come up with smart, interesting posts, and fast! We'd take her advice on AP Exams—she knows what she's talking about. —SparkNotes editors

It’s almost May, which means it’s time for the Kentucky Derby, the Stanley Cup playoffs, my birthday, and oh yeah, AP exams. I’ve taken AP exams for three years now, so for all of you just beginning the torture, here’s how to stay sane:

1. Study early.

By this point in the year, it’s hard to concentrate on AP classes. Analyzing the “tragic hero” of Hamlet or the development of post-Cold War Russian politics makes you want to burn your textbook and dance around the fire, cackling evilly. Do not do this (or at least wait until after the AP exam). Get a good review book and start studying asap. I really like the SparkNotes Test Prep series. Take lots of practice tests. Look at past years’ free response questions and outline what you would write. Do whatever it takes to keep focused until exam day.

2. Don’t stress.

Take the exam seriously, but don’t worry about it too much. If you score a 4 or 5, great. If not, it’s not the end of the world. An admissions officer for a major university told me that colleges care more about the grade you get in the AP class than the score you get on the exam. Don’t study at all the day before the test. Do something you enjoy that has nothing to do with your AP class.

3. Sleep.

Everyone will give you this advice. Well, there’s a reason for it: It works. Staying up late the night before the test—especially if you’re cramming—is not good. By this point, you either know the material or you don’t. Get a good night’s sleep and don’t wake up too early.

4. Know what to bring.

Be prepared. Bring a pencil and extra leads. Bring two pens. If you only bring one, it will run out in the middle of the free-response section (yes, I know from experience). If you have allergies, bring tissues. You won’t be allowed to eat or drink during the exam, but you usually will during the break between the multiple choice and free response sections. Make sure you have something to eat, especially if your exam is scheduled so that you happen to miss your lunch period.

5. Eat chocolate.

Stop sniggering, I’m serious. Eating chocolate right before a test has been proven to get you better test scores. Don’t get all excited and think you can replace studying with a bar of Milka, though. Sorry.

Are you freaking out about AP tests?

Related Blog: The Test Prep Blog!