As the school year starts to wrap up, most classes are getting ready for their end-of-year exams. For most classes, this means a few extra minutes of studying. However, for a few specific classes this means several hours of studying, practice tests and more essays. These classes are, of course, the AP classes.
AP classes, or advanced placement classes, are classes unique for a variety of reasons. One of these is their difficulty level. Most AP classes are supposed to resemble a college level course, and as a result are more strenuous than most other classes. Another factor contributing to the notoriety of AP classes is the AP exams. AP exams are tests organised by CollegeBoard and take place this year from May 5 – May 16, only a few weeks before regular exams.
“They always take place in early May so nationwide schools can get them in before the end of the calendar year. The dates are really close to our regular exam dates this year because WSFCS started two weeks earlier and our calendar is ending two weeks earlier”, said AP psychology teacher Sara Cranford.
Due to the gap being shortened between the two groups of tests, students will have to balance studying for regular exams and AP exams. There are different ways and resources that students can use to prepare.
“AP Classroom has lots of great resources, including practice tests and videos. As a teacher, I’ve been assigning practice tests throughout the year so that my students become familiar with the format”, computer science teacher Erin Pickard said.
With all this confusion and studying, some students might not remember the layout of exam day. Luckily, we can rely on Ms. Pickard for a quick rundown of the exam schedule.
“There are two exam sessions, morning and afternoon. If you have a morning exam, then you have to be at school by 7:15 to get checked in and ready to test by 8. If you have an afternoon exam, you’ll be dismissed at 11 to eat, get to your exam room by 11:15 and start testing at noon,” Pickard said.
In addition, if you have any classes before or after the exam, you are required to go to those classes or you’ll be marked absent. Not only that, but there might be a possibility that you would have a morning and an afternoon exam. Although AP exam season might be stressful, thanks to the help and dedication of the AP teachers, as well as their own intelligence, most students should have nothing to worry about.
