The components of a college application can seem limitless — grades, extracurricular activities and standardized test scores are just some of the factors you can highlight to stand out. But when it comes to test scores, you have more to think about than just the SAT or ACT.
AP exams are a popular opportunity since earning a 4 or 5 can help you not only earn college credit during high school but also show off your knowledge and skills to college admissions staff.
[Find out how earning college credit in high school can slash undergrad costs.]
How should you best prepare for AP exams and — more importantly — what should you not do? Two current college students recently reflected on their experiences with AP courses and exams and shared three mistakes high schoolers should be wary of.
Using a Review Book Without a Plan
As is the case with standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, review books are often a go-to resource for students in AP courses. While consulting a review guide to prep is not a mistake, trying to cram it into a short period of time is.
Jesse Pollack, a junior at Duke University, said reading through the review books can be wearing. “Unless you have a plan to space out the material, there is a chance you may become overwhelmed and lose the motivation to read it.”
Pollack said he made this mistake during his AP prep, noting that “trying to cram it a month before the exam” didn’t help, particularly with the AP European History and AP U.S. History exams.
Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville freshman Nolan Finney also pointed out the importance of dedicating plenty of time to AP prep. “AP tests are not easy, and if you want to do well, it will take numerous hours of studying,” he said. “I would highly suggest not waiting until the day before to study because you will realize it is too late.”
[Create a Spring AP test prep plan.]
Being Careless About the Material You Study
It is essential to know the types of questions and problems you’ll face on the specific AP exam you’re taking. Finney noted the importance of understanding which material from the AP course you will need to study, rather than assuming absolutely everything from the course will be covered on the test.
“Generally, as a student, you can know what to focus your studying around,” he said.
And don’t neglect the AP practice questions, particularly when it comes to question types like free-response questions. “The other fundamental mistake I made was taking virtually no past free-response questions from the College Board website,” said Pollack.
“Seriously, I can’t stress enough how important that is for any class, especially science or math. The free-response can get so repetitive.”
[Follow five keys to success in AP classes.]
Taking the AP Exam Without the Course
While it is possible to take an AP exam without enrolling in the corresponding AP course, it is not typically recommended. Both Pollack and Finney took the accompanying classes for the AP exams they sat for.
Pollack explained that while you could theoretically forego the course and study on your own for the test, it might not be the most beneficial decision in the long run.
“If you self-study for an AP exam without taking the class, chances are you won’t know the material as well as someone who actually studied the subject for a semester or year under the guidance of a teacher,” he said. “You could be at a serious disadvantage going into advanced college physics if all the background you had was self-studying for an AP exam.”
Finney similarly noted that students in the AP prep process are working toward a bigger goal beyond a simple test score. “You have to work if you want to receive college credit,” he said.
By avoiding these three mistakes, carefully developing a prep plan and keeping your ultimate goals in mind, you can be well on your way to earning an impressive AP score.
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Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes When Prepping for AP Exams originally appeared on usnews.com
