April 25, 2018
By Matthew Nasr
Staff Writer
With Advanced Placement tests beginning on May 7 and running through May 18, students are scrambling to figure out how they can reach a five. Here are a few tips for students looking to do their best on test day:
To prepare for the AP test:
1. Take some practice tests. One of the best ways to ensure a good score on the AP test is to get used to the test format. Ask your teacher for additional practice tests to see where you excel and what you need to improve upon. The more practice tests you take, the more confident you’ll feel.
2. Prioritize. If you are taking multiple AP tests, focus on the tests that could help you the most in your future. If you are a senior and already know what college you will be attending, do some research to find out what is the minimum score your school will accept on the various subject tests. Then, work towards reaching the goals you have set for yourself.
3. Get a good night’s rest. It is never a good idea to take a test when you are tired. Go to sleep early the night before your AP test so you do not feel tired and drowsy. Since the test can last up to three hours, you will need adequate energy to get through the challenging assessment.
4. Eat breakfast. Make sure to have a healthy and filling breakfast the morning of your AP test. This will give you energy that you can convert into positive scores. Eating breakfast will also improve your concentration since you will not be thinking about how hungry you are.
5. Show up to the test site on time. If you tend to be late for school or struggle to come back from lunch on time, plan on arriving to the test site extra early. This will help you feel calm and give you time to get situated before the AP test begins.
During the test:
6. Manage your time. The worst thing you can do during the AP test is to run out of time without answering all of the questions. Since there is no penalty for guessing, make sure to complete the entire test and leave no questions blank. Bring a watch so you can keep track of your time. However, be reminded that Apple and smartwatches are not permitted.
7. Stay calm. If you feel overwhelmed during the AP test, you may panic and make a mistake on a question you would normally get correct. If a certain question is making you feel anxious, skip it and move on. Later, you can go back to it.
8. Review your answers. Sometimes, test-takers bubble in a wrong answer by accident. Take a few minutes at the end of each section to check your responses. If you want to change your answer, make sure to thoroughly erase the bubble you filled in before.
0 comments
