AP study tips and stress relievers
1. Eliminate factors such as watching TV and cell phones; it can speed up the studying process and help retain more information.
2. Students who are taking multiple APs find it difficult choosing which to study for. In this situation, it helps to take one subject at a time. Studying for one exam one day and another the next day can relieve some of the stress that’s been built up. When focusing on a subject, spend at least 40 minutes to an hour reviewing notes, going over old homework problems, and reading AP practice study guides. Take a ten minute break, then review the subject once again.
3. While studying, flashcards are your best friend!
4. Stay organized. Do you expect to be relaxed if you have old papers and materials cluttering your desk? Start by outlining or creating a checklist for the items you want to accomplish. Then, organize your work space, removing all unneeded papers. Cleaning up the mess will make you question why you were lazy in the first place.
5. As crazy as this may sound, study, but don’t over study to the point where your brain just ends up fried. Studying too much can become counterproductive. If you feel like you need a break, by all means, take it.
What to expect on the day of your AP
AP Exams take place between Monday, May 2 and Friday, May 13. Check the apstudent.collegeboard.org site and the AP Calendar to find out when your exams are. Unless you are taking a small AP, you will take your exams at Grace Brethren Church (3590 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807). Students can consult the Advanced Placement link under the Academics tab on Schoolloop for verification on testing location. A map of Grace Brethren and instructions on where to go are on the website. Students can also arrive at the courtyard of the church to wait for instructions; the exams will be held in the Social Hall a Recreation Center.
Students should arrive between 7:15 A.M. and 7:30 A.M. for morning APs and by 11:30 A.M. for afternoon APs. If a student is taking the bus to the Church, they should wait on Atlantic Avenue by the front entrance and the bus should arrive by 6:50 A.M. and will leave around 7:10 A.M. for the morning exams; for afternoon exams, the bus will arrive around 11:05 A.M. and leave by 11:20 A.M. I would suggest leaving yourself plenty of time to get to Poly or Grace Brethren.
If you signed up for a school lunch, details are still being worked out. If you are taking a morning AP, pick up your lunch from the cafeteria and eat when you get back to Poly. If you are taking an afternoon exam, then pick up your lunch before boarding the bus, and if you have two exams that day, pick up your lunch before you leave in the morning. These plans could change, so keep an eye out for an email from Sam Koshy regarding the lunches.
When you arrive at the Church, you will check in at a table where you will need to present your ID. You will be given a card with your room and seat assignment. Pay attention upper-classmen! That is a new procedure. Students can then go to their assigned seat, unless they have a backpack. If you brought a backpack, you need to leave it at the allocated area. Students can keep water and snacks, but out of their backpack.
What to bring
Several No. 2 wooden pencils with erasers
Pens, black or dark blue ink only
A watch with no alarm; a clock will be present, but students are responsible for keeping track of time.
Valid photo ID (School ID or driver’s license) with one bar-coded sticker from the AP student pack placed on the back of ID.
Snacks and water
What not to bring
CELL PHONES- leave them at home or in the car. If you bring them, they will need to be turned off and in your checked in backpack. If a student is caught with a cell phone, it will be confiscated and the student will be kicked out of the room. If a cell phone goes off or is being used, everyone’s scores are at risk of being thrown out and Poly can get into huge trouble, so DO NOT bring it.
Any other electronic besides a calculator (for required APs) and a watch.
Clothing with graphics related to the exam subject.
Other healthy snacks we recommend:
Apple slices
Bananas
Granola bars
Blueberries
Lots of water
Leave a Reply