Acing AP tests and final exams
Shelly Humbach • April 29, 2020
Seniors, are you worried about your upcoming AP tests or final exams? In a normal year, these exams can be anxiety producing but this year that may be particularly true. AP exams will now be offered in an online, open-note/open book format. As schools continue to push back open dates or cancel in person classes for the rest of the year, you may find yourself taking online or modified final exams for all of your classes.
With all the information available to you, an online, open book exam should be easy right? Surprisingly, that may not be the case. Open book/open note exams usually push students to synthesize responses that demonstrate comprehension rather than just regurgitating facts. You should expect questions which may ask you to apply concepts in new ways. The CollegeBoard has put together a list of tips
for preparing for online exams. Ultimately, knowing the material and having organized notes and resources will be your best strategy. This means you should continue to devote study time to your AP exams just as you would if you were taking them in person.
Thinking about scrapping the AP exams all together? You are not required by the CollegeBoard to take the AP exam (although your high school may have differing policies around this). The main incentive for taking the exam is the possibility of college credit. Although many colleges are adopting test optional policies for admission, most have said that they will still award AP credit the same way they have in the past. CollegeBoard has said that the AP exams will test content covered through early March. You’ve already done the work for the exam; you just need to refine your skills.
Take Action
Find more tips and resources for preparing for AP exams on the CollegeBoard website. You can apply these study tips to high school finals as well as future college exams.
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”
I work with incredible colleagues; collaborative, smart and supportive. They make me better and I am deeply grateful. Every year, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy of Big J Educational Consulting share invaluable information regarding college admissions. Their research is impeccable and accurate and provides crucial data to help students and families make informed college decisions. Read on, share broadly and give a shout out to these generous professionals! Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid Class of 2028 In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Financial Aid for International Noncitizens Class of 2028 International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield Class of 2028 Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores Class of 2028 Athletic Divisions and Conferences (partial list) Class of 2028 - NEW! These charts are visual, interactive, and easy to use. They make it possible to instantly sort using any column's metrics and to easily compare subsets of colleges. They are free and can be accessed at www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/resources . From Jennie and Jeff: We hope you find these resources helpful in your work guiding students. Please feel free to share them broadly as long as they remain in their original unedited form. Permission is not granted to those charging a fee for their distribution. If you find an error after cross-referencing with an institution's Common Data Set, please contact us at info@bigjconsult.com . Thank you!
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