AP season can be a very stressful time for students: anticipating a test that can be up to 4 hours long, cramming all the information you forgot throughout the year, and trying to keep on top of your work from regular classes. Among all the stress, it can be hard to perform to the best of your ability. Here are some tips to help ensure you put your best foot forward when taking your AP exams.  

1. Preparation 

If your teacher is offering study sessions or review sessions, you should go! Teachers can give advice about what kinds of questions to expect and can give test taking tips. Most teachers can also give practice tests of old versions of the exam to help you know what to expect.  

1. Studying 

It is important to review and study information you could have forgotten from earlier in the year. Waiting until the night before to try to cram everything you forgot is not an effective strategy. Not only is this not a very helpful method, but it can make you feel overwhelmed with information. 

1. Sleep 

A good night’s sleep is very important before a long test, especially if it starts in the morning. Instead of staying up late cramming, go to bed at a reasonable time to make sure you are well rested for your test. If you are tired during your test, it becomes harder to focus and perform well. 

1. Eat 

On the morning of your AP, remember to eat a good breakfast. The tests can be as long as 4 hours with the only option for food being small snacks provided by the school. When you get hungry, it can get harder to focus and it can be very distracting. 

1. Remember your materials 

On test day, don’t forget a wooden number 2 pencil and a pen with dark blue or black ink (and a calculator if you are taking a math-based exam). Not all of the proctors will have extras, so it is very important to remember your own.  

The most important thing to remember is to relax and do your best. These tests do not define your ability to perform in certain subjects.