The end of the school year is in sight, but before summer starts, there’s one big thing standing in the way… AP tests.
AP teachers have been talking about the testing since day one of the school year, but now the pressure is on. With only a few months left, the pressure is on.
The AP tests are no worry for NASH junior Katherine Vales, who is in AP U.S. History (APUSH), AP Government, and AP Comparative Politics. She took the AP Human Geography (HUG) exam last year and knows how to prepare.
“I’m going to review notes and watch videos to study,” Vales stated.
Her teachers have also made her feel prepared for the tests.
“They give us as much review material as possible, including class time, and even make some tests more difficult than some AP questions,” said Vales.
Vales is one of the many NASH juniors who are going through this process. However, not as many juniors feel as prepared as she does.
“I don’t feel very prepared for the test, but I’m also going to look at the AP study book,” Alexis Solomon said.
Laura Wells is another junior who is persevering. She has various methods of studying.
“I’m going to watch videos through the College Board, practice timed essays, and learn rhetoric vocabulary,” Wells stated.
For Wells’s other AP class, Psychology, she has a different study plan.
“I keep reviewing past chapters and always keep up with the vocabulary,” she said.
With her study skills, Wells hopes to feel more confident about the AP tests as they march closer.
Clara Sorby, who is in AP English Language, AP Biology, and APUSH, feels confident about the tests, like Vales does. Last year, she was able to experience the AP HUG test to get a grasp of what the tests are like. Learning from last year, she was able to form a study plan.
“I’m going to use the AP prep book as well as watch YouTube videos,” Sorby stated.
It’s not only juniors who are preparing for the AP tests but seniors as well.
NASH senior Hailey Thiel is in three AP classes: Calculus AB, Economics, and Art and Design. She plans on taking both the calc and econ tests. In both classes, she feels well prepared to take and pass the tests. However, she is still going to actively study.
“I’m just following the lessons, and closer to the test, I’ll do review and practice tests,” Thiel said.
For AP Art and Design, the end goal is quite different. Students in the AP Art program have to follow a theme throughout the year. Their creations then go into a portfolio that will end up being submitted.
Thiel acknowledges that it is a rigorous course but enjoys it thoroughly. With tight deadlines, she is always working on an art piece. But with the help of her art teacher, Ms. Swan, she feels like her portfolio is improving.
“She [Ms. Swan] is very helpful,” Thiel said.
For all students, preparation is the key to success. From buying a third-party prep book to watching YouTube videos on their subject, they plan on doing some sort of studying. Every AP student is journeying on their own selected path, but each student can see the end is near.
