It’s that time again: time for students who have been studying all year to finally take their Advanced Placement (AP) tests!

What are AP Tests?

I’ve mentioned College Board’s AP tests before, as a great way to save on the cost of college. If you aren’t already familiar with the process, here is how it works:

Students sign up for an AP course at high school in an approved subject like Phsyics, Biology, English Literature, or a foreign language. They receive a grade, just like a regular high school class, but the main focus of the course is to prepare them for the AP test held in May. The test is administered nationwide by the College Board (the same company that provides the SAT.)  Its purpose is to demonstrate how well your student has mastered the subject at hand. If your student scores a 3 or higher (out of 5 possible) he/she may be able to get college credit!  My son began his freshman year this past fall with 2/3 the credits he needed for his freshman year.  The savings can really add up!

Taking AP classes not only makes your student a more competitive college applicant, but also has the potential to cut down his or her total time in college (and therefore your total cost) by knocking out some of your student’s general education requirements.  Be sure to check each college’s policy on AP exam credits because they vary.

Last Minute Preparation

Testing begins on May 4th, but is your student prepared? Here are a few great ways to help your student get ready for the AP test:

• Review, Review, Review! With only a few days left before testing begins, your son or daughter may be tempted to give up, but encourage him or her to use these remaining days to go over the most difficult portions of the course. Offer to go over notes or help out with flashcards, and consider doing a practice run. Also, check out these free ways to prepare for AP tests!  My son swore by the AP review books.  He felt he aced his AP exams by both referring to his class notes and reading the review book for each AP subject.
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• Get Ahead of the Game. If this is your student’s first AP test, encourage him or her to talk to an older student or a teacher about exactly how the test will work. Your student will want to know how the timing of the test is handled, and any strategies other students have found successful. He or she should also be sure to be prepared with all the necessary materials the night before the test.
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• Take Care of Thyself. Studying hard can be a great thing, but without taking care of his or her health, it may not matter how hard your student studies! Make sure your student is eating well (at least as well as you can get a teenager to eat!) and getting a good amount of sleep for at least a couple of nights before testing. Nervous students might like these tips about how to fall asleep even when they’re stressed.
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• Take the Pressure Off. AP tests can be very intimidating, especially to first timers. After all, a whole year of school has built up to this day! That’s why it is important that you encourage your student without putting more stress on his or her shoulders. Help him or her take a break the night before a test by offering a favorite treat or celebrate after your student gets home from taking the test. A positive attitude can work wonders on those AP scores!

Good luck to all those AP test takers!

All the best,
Deborah Fox

photo by lusi