By: Calle Caldwell

Midterm exams often hit students faster than expected, bringing a sudden rush of stress and last-minute studying. At BHS, midterm exams are worth 20% of the semester grade, making them an integral part of the final grade for a class. But how should students prepare for them?

When time is limited, studying efficiently is important. BHS senior and peer tutor Roshan Patel recommends focusing on the core components of a course instead of getting lost in details. “Studying the biggest concepts, processes, and heavily covered topics is the best way to prep last minute,” he said.

BHS social studies teacher, Aaron Fromm, shares what he thinks students should prioritize. “Study the chapter study guides and reread the chapters,” he said.

This kind of prioritization helps students spend their energy on the material most likely to appear on the exam. A similar approach applies to how students handle large amounts of content. Students can break material down into units such as chapters to better understand how ideas connect and make the details easier to remember.

The resources students choose can also make or break their study routine. Patel encourages students to start with the materials their teachers provide: notes, slideshows, and old quizzes/tests. 

He also recommends familiar tools like Quizlet for memorization and AP Classroom for course-specific practice, and recommends using AI to your advantage. “Utilize AI completely to help you prepare and guide your study plan,” he said.

Students can use AI tools to summarize class readings, generate practice questions, explain tough concepts in simpler terms, and create study schedules based on their weak spots. It can also give immediate feedback on writing, generate example questions, and even simulate flashcards or tutoring sessions. When used responsibly and alongside class notes, AI can make studying more efficient and personalized.

Knowing what to do is important, but it is also important to know what not to do. “Students make the mistake of doing what they are already good at,” Patel said. Stressing the importance of studying in areas that students are weaker in can help them not to be blindsided when taking the exam.

Another common mistake is students overestimating their ability to recall material from earlier in the year. “Students wait until the last minute to reacquaint themselves with 1st quarter material,” Fromm said. 

Of course, midterm season can be overwhelming, and staying motivated is a challenge of its own. It is important that students remain motivated for the final stretch of school in order to be successful on their exams.

“Imagine acing the exam and having a relaxing, stress-free break,” Patel said. “That’s what helps me get through exam season.”