With the end of the school year quickly approaching, students are hit with the sudden realization that AP test season is upon us. The stress of preparing for tests can be overwhelming to even think about. There are three main steps to make sure that you are prepared for the weeks ahead. As an avid procrastinator who has definitely not even begun to think about the multitude of tests ahead of her, here is a step-by-step guide to ensure that tests come and go stress-free.
A good night’s sleep: While most will recommend that the best way to ensure mental focus on test day is a full night’s rest, this could not be further from the truth. As you lie in bed the night before the test, reviewing material you have never heard of before, make sure you take some time to scroll through TikTok. Sure, the algorithm is highly unlikely to give you AP subject material or to help you sleep. However, the dopamine from watching ASMR videos will get you pumped for the two-hour exams in a way no full night’s sleep can. Make sure to send those videos to your AP classmates, too, as they will want the competitive edge that only three a.m. doomscrolling can give.
Don’t cram: While scientists and teachers are believers in long-term studying and learning, the real competitive edge comes in high adrenaline, “I’ve never seen this before,” cramming. And of course, the shorter the term, the better. That last 15 minutes right before the exam is your key to a perfect five on AP exams. Try to get at least 80 percent of your cumulative study time crammed into this quarter hour. Just remember that a 140 beats per minute heart rate pounding in your ears is a great sign that you are prepared!
Pick the right pencil: The morning of, nerves are at an all-time high as you shuffle desperately through the folders in your backpack looking for the testing ticket you were given weeks ago and told explicitly not to lose. After finding the crumpled testing ticket at the bottom of your school bag, the second wave of stress appears as you look for an appropriate pencil for the test. The choice between a half-chewed wood pencil and a mechanical pencil with no eraser could determine the fate of your FRQs. It could also make or break your post-testing doodle session. Showing up a few minutes after you were supposed to arrive surely isn’t a big deal, and the added pressure of eyes watching you find your desk will help your brain move faster.
While the fate of AP tests may be stressful and mentally demanding, sticking to the three most important parts of test preparation is sure to keep the testing season running smoothly!
