#ap test tips

Well, I have the AP Micro test in a few hours and I don’t feel great about it, since I’ve been taking it online and independently, but here were my best study tips!

Review Videos: These are sooo helpful. The short ones on AP Classroom are really helpful and the longer ones on YouTube are also cool. 

Remember the Formulas: There is so much math, but calculators aren’t allowed (which sucks). So, make sure you remember the formulas, math equations, and other things. 

Study Groups: I normally don’t like to study with other people, but I found that it helped for this one. I studied for 3 hours with friends who are actually in the class and we were all able to help each other out with different aspects of the test.

Get some Sleep: At least 9 hours, which will be easier since it is at 12:00, not 8:00.

I know the next couple weeks seem impossible. But breathe. You can do it.

1. You know more than you think you do.

2. You won’t know the answer to every question. That is okay. Nobody does. Just breathe. It’s alright.

3. GUESS. If you don’t know the answer, narrow it down to three or two. The guess. You aren’t penalized for wrong answers. Guess. It’s better than leaving something blank. And it’s okay.

4. And this one is important! Do not take the test on an empty stomach. It’s hard to eat sometimes, especially early in the morning. But believe me, you do not want to be taking the test and suddenly GRRRR your stomach starts growling. It’s embarrassing. It’s distracting (mostly to you. The people around you most likely can’t hear it). And it’s uncomfortable.

5. Yes, this one gets two. Eat something. I don’t care if it’s a full-sized buffet, a piece of toast, a bowl of cereal, a banana, a protein drink: ANYTHING. (You hear this from all of your teachers, but it really is true. The test is miserable if you’re hungry. If you’ve eaten, it’s not nearly as bad.)

6. And yeah, I know. You’ve heard this one a hundred times. But...don’t cram the night before. Or, actually, do. But don’t study past two hours until when you’re going to be going to bed. After that, don’t think about the test. (But Clare, that’s impossible! Yeah, I know, honey. Believe me, I know. Do whatever you need to do to keep your mind off it. Watch TV. Read a book. Listen to music. Meditate. Anything.)

7. Have your alarm set. The last thing you want is to oversleep. That’s incredibly stressful.

8. Actually sleep. Like, more than 5 hours, preferably. But as much as you can.

9. Breathe.

10. Now you’re at the test. Breathe some more. Be confident. You might not get a five, but you’re gonna do your best. And your best is not someone else’s best. Your best is the best you can do, and hey, I think that’s pretty good.

Side note: Shoutout to all my AP kids with focus/attention struggles, mental illnesses, and learning disabilities. I see you, I love you, you’re hella rad and strong and I’m so proud of you. Keep up the good work.

Also side note: Shoutout to all my AP kids who are gonna have to put the wrong gender on their forms. I see you, too, I feel you, and I love you. You’re hella strong and valid and I know it’s tough and it’s gonna be discouraging and awful. I know. I’m here for you. You, my friends, are amazing.

In summary: Eat. Sleep. And ace these fucking tests because they’re a terrible assessment of intelligence, you are not defined by your scores, and YOU ARE INCREDIBLE. SO ALL OF YOUR SCORES ARE PERFECT BECAUSE YOU ARE PERFECT.

For all those taking the AP Euro exam, just remember this thesis template:

___ caused ___ which led to ___ and ultimately ___.