Don't let the APs get you testy, here are some tips

Zia Eger-Slobig '25

Assistant Copy Editor

As the spring rolls around the corner, AP season is in full swing. Whether or not you personally take APs currently or are interested in taking these courses in the future, these test tips are helpful for most exams. If you are anxious about these upcoming exams, don’t worry, we have some tips and tricks for you to try out: pick and choose the ones that work best for you and your learning style. 

Mr. Mac talked about how when he was a student, he “used focus timers so that the content would not fully overwhelm” him, and he would do 30 minutes of straight work and then a 15 minute break in a rotation. 

In terms of DBQs on social science APs, he recommends that “the very first thing you want to do is focus on the prompt. Once you get your prompt figured out, organize your documents into buckets: economic, political, social etc. and from there the thesis writes itself.” 

In order to gain that complexity point, the “easiest thing to do is use all documents provided,” however there are other methods that the college board suggests to earn this point. Overall “the more detail, the better. Have at least one specific historical detail for every document you use.” 

Señora Serrano began by saying that, on the Language APs (Spanish or French), in order to prepare for the speaking sections, students need to expose themselves to “simulated conversations with specific topics, current events, using nothing but their knowledge to improvise–a skill needed on the AP exam,” as well as “discern based on culture and personal experience.” 

“The audio portion is a learning in process” and you must “strengthen from the beginning.” This is something that “should be done everyday, not just exposing activities such as extra resources.” This is especially true because “in the audio, most of the hispanics who speak are from a variety of countries and a variety of accents” meaning that the more exposure you have the better. According to Serrano, “audio will always be new, but there should be a ladder that starts in Spanish I.” 

Finally, I asked Mr. Telesca, who began by advising students, in any AP, to listen “very carefully to the teacher as to what they emphasized in class and thought was the most important. I always tell students today that the two most efficient uses of their time is,  first, to study (there is no substitute for putting the time in); and second, to talk to the person who is writing and reading the test…so as to study as efficiently as possible.” 

He continued by advising that “even though time is limited, I think that it is worth it to take the time…a minute or two, to sketch out an outline of where you will be going so as to make sure you are answering the actual question being asked of you. And then…write fast” he added. 

Many of us, including myself, worry about finishing. However, Mr. Telesca assured, “I never worry about a student who is upset because they, in their mind, didn’t ‘finish.’ I do worry about the student who says that the essay was easy, and they finished in five minutes. I would say that, even if one didn’t have time to say everything they wanted, if they are writing intelligently for the entire time, they are probably going to be just fine.” 

Always remember that “they are essays, not outlines,” meaning you should get as specific as possible. 

Another tip I often hear in my AP classes is to pay close attention to what the question is asking. For instance, if on an AP Environmental exam it says “identify,” your answer can be short and you can simply name the specific term that the question is asking. However, if it says “describe,” you must also elaborate on the reasoning behind your answer in greater detail, rather than a single statement. 

No matter what, always remember that you have been practicing these skills all year and you have that knowledge inside of you. You are far more capable than you make yourself out to be.