ESM Prep

For so many high achieving students, it can often feel like taking their first AP class is a rite of passage but AP courses are no joke and require an open-mind as to what you think you know about “acing a class” in order to succeed.

1. Your teacher will likely “teach to the test” to get through all the material that will be tested they will have to keep up with a fast pace to cover as much material as possible. You’ll need to learn how to be your own advocate and take ownership over your own studies by seeking out help, doing extra work outside of class, or working with an academic mentor.

2. You should focus on skill development in addition to content knowledge. AP exams are built to see how well you can apply concepts in new, challenging contexts. Critical thinkers look for the reasons behind their answers, rather than just for the answers themselves. This is especially important because AP content builds throughout the year, so you need to be able to connect information from Unit 1 to information from Unit 6.

3. You can learn the exam formulas by studying previous tests and familiarizing yourself with the grading rubric for your class. These are very useful as you’ll know the requirements and expectations allowing you to master the expected responses.

4. Practice is key. You can know exactly what the test expects of you, but you also need to be able to replicate success in order to go into your exam confidently. Starting your prep as early as possible guarantees the most stress-free experience possible. It also guarantees the highest likelihood of success, because you’ll likely be able to actually master the exam.

Head to the link in our bio for the full article written by ESM Mentor, Daniel McElroy:
https://www.esmprep.com/articles/5-steps-to-success-for-first-time-ap-students