Whether this is your first or fifth AP class, each and every student dreads the fast-approaching May exam, which signifies the end of the year-long course and many exhausting nights poring over notes, reading various texts, and writing mock essays in preparation for the test. With these stresses in mind, I want to share 5 tips that have helped me while preparing for the AP exam.

1. Make your own study guides. While the task may seem daunting, creating study guides that are personalized to fit your style of learning can help you retain information for the exam while simultaneously forcing you to review key lessons when creating your study guide. It is important to add photos, graphs, and maps, as these commonly appear on the AP Exam in the multiple-choice and Document-Based-Question sections.
2. Start your preparation early. While it may seem like the AP Exams are over one month away, it is important to remember that you have the gargantuan task of reviewing an entire year of material in just one month. It is never a good idea to cram for the AP Exam the night before the test, so having a nuanced plan is vital to success.
3. Use your resources wisely. Throughout your course, you have received a plethora of resources to aid you in studying for the exam. For example, your class notes, handouts, and old tests are a great place to start. In addition, College Board publishes a “Course and Exam Description” that outlines the major topics the exam will cover. Finally, you can purchase a review book or use free online resources like Khan Academy or Fiveable.me.
4. Experiment to determine how you learn best. There are a variety of different ways students retain information. Whether it is making flashcards, reading the textbook, or watching videos, each and every student is different. Do you study better with friends or by yourself? Are you a visual learner or can you simply memorize a sheet of notes? These are questions that you need to answer in order to optimize your studying.
5. Know your limits. Despite what teachers and parents may say, the AP Exam is simply one of the countless tests you will end up taking during your time at Central Catholic. While it is certainly very important, do not burn yourself out trying to study each and every night. I highly encourage you to take breaks if you need them. Even if you are feeling stressed or worried that you will not do well, sometimes studying for hours and hours is not the answer. Instead, prioritize areas that are most important to the exam, or review lessons you have not quite fully grasped yet.

These tips are not an exhaustive list, nor are they guaranteed to earn you the coveted 5 on the AP Exam, but I hope they can provide some guidance when formulating a study strategy that works best for you. Good luck!