AP and IB testing season is starting, being mid-April until the end of the school year, with many students already preparing for their exams. During the last few weeks of school, students are balancing homework, finals, and studying, which can feel stressful and overwhelming. As testing season gets closer, it may feel like there is not enough time to review everything that was learned throughout the year. Some students start to feel nervous because the exams can affect college credit and future plans. Many students say that studying a little bit at a time and staying organized helps them feel more confident and less stressed when exams finally arrive.
Greta Zavodni, a Sophomore at Skyline High School, said that she feels confident going into her AP exams because of the ways she studies throughout the year. “I’m very confident. My study strategies are viewing all of the units and the Kahoots and the quiz,” she said. Zavodni also shared that some classes are harder to prepare for than others. She reports, “AP World is the toughest, because you have to review how to write essays and not just their material.” She explained that even with the pressure of the testing season, she is still able to keep up with her classes and finals “quite well.” Zavodni also said that she thinks taking AP classes is worth it, because it can help students get into a good college and prepare for harder classes in the future.
Freshman Ethan Shafran said that he also feels secure about his AP exams, especially because he studies with friends. He explained that working together helped him remember vocabulary and important ideas from class. “I’m pretty confident. You know, I’ve been studying with my friends a lot,” he said. Shafran described how they study together using vocabulary cards and sometimes FaceTime when they cannot meet in person after school. He also stated there is a lot of vocabulary and concepts to remember. “If you prioritize your time, it should be okay,” he said. He added that paying attention in class and putting in extra effort at home helps him manage pressure.
Both students said that their motivation to take AP classes comes from wanting to do well in the future and reach their goals. Zavodni explained that paying attention in class makes preparing for her exams much easier later on. Shafran emphasized a similar feeling, saying that his future goals help keep him motivated to work hard in school and stay focused even when school feels stressful. End of year testing can feel stressful, but preparing ahead of time and staying organized can help students feel more prepared.. As Shafran said, “I really want to get into a good college and follow my mom’s footsteps as a psychiatrist, so what really motivates me is just to, just to keep going and work hard.”
