By: Cate Eberly

As spring approaches, high school students across the country are gearing up for one of the most rigorous events of the academic year: Advanced Placement exams. These exams offer students the chance to earn college credit and demonstrate their college readiness and comprehension of intense coursework.

AP exams require a deeper understanding of material and the ability to apply knowledge compared to usual classwork. They examine content understanding of a certain subject through a combination of multiple choice and and free-response sections. Preparation for these exams often vary from student to student. 

For Bellbrook High School senior and AP student Erin Secody, creating a study plan is the first step toward success. “I always start reviewing a few weeks in advance instead of heavy last minute studying,” Secody said. “Breaking everything into smaller sections made sure I understood all the content with less stress.”

Junior Ashelyn Barrios favors practice when it comes to exam prep. “Doing old FRQs helped me understand how graders actually score responses,” Barrios said. “It additionally provides good content review at the same time.” 

Beyond studying, Secody still prioritizes her routine. “Make sure you wake up fully rested with everything ready to alleviate more stress from the anticipation,” Secody said.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, you have been preparing for it all year,” said Barrios. “You have to just show up to the exam with a good mindset ready to show what you know.”

Strong scores can lead to college credit, improved comprehension, and even scholarship opportunities. They exemplify content mastery and reflect months of dedication and hard work for students.