AP exams are right around the corner, literally… As of writing this article, I am one week away from taking my AP European History exam, and I have done the bare minimum of studying. This article is not intended to promote the practice of last-minute cramming; however, sometimes cramming is inevitable, and the best we can do is face the issue head-on. At the last minute, here’s what I did last year to perform well on my exams.
Why am I qualified to talk about this subject? I received a 5 on AP Human Geography and a 4 on AP Computer Science Principles, both achieved by last-minute cramming the night before. Based on my experiences last year, I wanted to put together a guide on surviving and passing your exams if you haven’t yet opened your review book.
First step: Get yourself organized
It is too late at this point to get an in-depth review of all of the units. There will not be enough time to cram everything into your brain and expect it not to mix up all the information. The first step in getting organized is to take a complete practice exam at your own pace. Just complete the test in one sitting and see what happens timing-wise after tallying up scores and seeing which unit you struggle with the most.
Step two: Make a schedule
To divide your time effectively, start by planning to review the units you struggle with first, then gradually move on to the easier ones. Block up your time so that there are more extended periods of studying for the weaker units and less time for the stronger units.
Step three: Make a plan
After your time is blocked out, many methods exist for studying. Whether it’s Quizlet or mind maps, it is all up to what works best for you. Some study methods I compiled are included in my article on study methods. I like to divide time into chunks, take breaks in between, and switch between the review book and synthesizing with mind maps to make connections between content. At the same time, Samuel Kent (11) “used active recall study methods like teaching my friends the material, and watched Heimler History videos before falling asleep. This helped me pass the AP European history exam.”
Step four: Execute
After you have made your schedule and plan, execute it. Find a parent or a friend you will not be distracted by and ask them to check in on you during your breaks to ensure you are being held accountable. Be sure to have a snack and plenty of water to stay energized.
AP exams are challenging and seem daunting. Sophie Yang (10) recalls “frantically flipping through pages of code and vocabulary. I had no sleep for days.” They are hard for a reason, and if the question is tricky for you, it will be hard for everyone else. Remember to get plenty of sleep the night before and eat a filling breakfast/lunch. You got this!
