When it comes to improving your AP score, the struggle is very real.
For perhaps the first time in your academic life, you are experiencing pressure from every direction.
You have to study, you have to score well, and you know that you have to become an expert in your chosen subject — all on your own.
Well, we’re here to tell you not to fret.
You’ve got this!
We found you the best tips and tricks on the internet explicitly designed to help you score as high as possible on every AP exam you have coming up.
But first, let’s cover some of the basics.
Let’s Talk About Your AP Score
For starters:
It’s vital that you understand how your AP test will be scored.
After you take the test, you will earn a score of one through five — here’s what the scores mean:
You can do it!
Around 13% of the people who take an AP test score a 5.
If you have a higher AP score, you will qualify for more credits than you would with a lower number.
Here’s the deal:
The only way to guarantee that you will qualify for college credit is to make sure you score a 3 or above.
The Many Benefits of a High AP Score
There are many benefits to nailing it on your AP exam aside from just earning credit towards your college classes.
“
“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Image via Al Ravenna, New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
First, research shows that typically students who score a three or higher on their AP exams experience more academic success in college over the kids who don’t partake in AP classes.
But that’s not all:
If you have a high AP score, you are also more likely to graduate from college on time — which could save you thousands of dollars.
AP scores are global!
If you are considering studying abroad, here’s what you need to know about your AP score: Qualifying AP scores can earn credit in nearly every university in the United States and Canada. Globally, over 100 other countries worldwide accept qualifying AP scores. And, In Europe and the UK, scoring a three or four will fulfill admission requirements.
Now:
You already know that you could earn college credits with a decent score, but what does that mean for you?
Well, it means:
In summation, if you’re planning on going to college, you can save tons of time and money by scoring well on your AP exams.
You can do it!
Around 19 percent of the students that take an AP exam score a 4.
And, if you want to score a 3 or higher, you’re going to need to study your butt off.
Watch out for the Dreaded Burnout
Studies show that these days, students are burning out faster than ever.
You might be burned out if you:
Does this sound like you?
Well, keep reading.
How to fight back against burnout
Now, if you just realized you’re feeling burned out lately, don’t worry — we found some ways you can deal with it.
Let’s dive in!
“
“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”
Image via Facebook
The “Avoiding Burnout” Toolbox
- Get more rest: exhaustion can make you burn out faster
- Say no to things you don’t have time for
- Ask for help: talk to your friends, parents, teachers, or counselors
- Eat healthy foods
- Find an interest outside of your studies
- Reward yourself for a job well done
- Plan something fun
- Set boundaries
- Set aside time for something fun: no studying allowed
- Get more exercise: a ten-minute walk can help improve your mood for two hours
But, that’s not all.
There’s more.
Expert Tips on How to Fight Back Against the Boredom Monster
Burning out isn’t the only thing that will hurt your AP score.
Can you guess what is?
I’ll help you.
Boredom is another silent killer.
Yes, boredom. No matter how much you love the subject you’re studying; everyone gets bored or sleepy after a while.
Luckily, we managed to find some expert advice on how to deal with the boredom monster when it attacks:
Studies show that exercise is more beneficial to your academic success than you might think.
“
First, exercise increases serotonin production, which will help you feel less anxious and depressed.
Secondly, and most importantly, we know that exercise also helps improve concentration, alertness, motivation, memory, and learning ability.
So, the experts say that a short 30-minute cardiovascular workout is most effective for the best results — and the best part is that you will notice the effects immediately.
You can do it!
25% of the people who take an AP exam score a 3.
However, not everyone is the same.
Perhaps you’re saying to yourself:
“There is no way I can do that.”
It’s OK!
If you aren’t capable of a workout like that, just do what you can to get that heart rate up for as long as possible.
It’s that simple.
A few more tips for beating boredom into submission
Exercise isn’t the only way to kick boredom in the butt.
Here are a few more tips:
You might be burned out if you:
Do you think you can do those?
Now Let’s Talk About How to Supercharge Your Study Habits
We get it. Maybe those suggestions just aren’t quite right.
Don’t worry!
Exercise isn’t the only way to boost your learning potential.
We found several more scientifically proven way to supercharge your study habits.
Some of these are easier than you think!
No cramming
Image via Pexels
You already know that studying for short bursts of time with little breaks is a great way to beat boredom.
However, you also need to remember to spread out studying your subject as well — this means no cramming.
Can you believe it?
Everyone crams, right?
“
“Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”
Well as it turns out, cramming isn’t all that beneficial.
See, if you cram for your exam, your brain will only store the information in its short-term data banks.
On the other hand, if you study for your AP exam spread out over as much time as possible, you will commit the information to your long-term memory.
Once the information exists in the long-term memory section of your brain, it will be there forever.
So, change it up and give this no-cramming rule a try!
Teaching someone else
Image via Pixabay
Studies overwhelmingly show that if you teach someone else what you’re learning — it will help you learn the information yourself.
Here’s how it works:
If you read the material with the intention of teaching it to someone else, you actively understand and store the information in your memory.
Pro tip!
Studies show that if you read through the exam before you take it, that could help your score.
Whereas, if you read the information passively, that’s how your brain remembers it.
Test yourself
Image via Pexels
Next, we understand that the test itself is the true stressor in your life right now.
However, there are a ton of practice AP tests out there — and you truly want to boost your AP score, you will take as many of them as possible.
Research shows that testing yourself will help you:
Reading the material is all well and good.
You can do it!
In 2018, 21.2 percent of the people that took the AP psychology exam scored a 5.
It’s essential, though, that you can recall that information when you’re going to need it, and a practice test is the only way to know for sure.
Once you’ve got a few practice tests licked, your confidence will be flying sky high!
AP practice tests
We know, what you’re wondering:
“Where can I find some of these practice tests?”
We’ve got you covered.
Here are some excellent links to pages with a ton of free practice tests.
Get some sleep
Image via Pexels
Another way to boost your AP score is to get plenty of rest.
In addition to combating burnout and boredom, getting plenty of sleep has a significant impact on what you’re brain will be able to recall.
Here’s how it works:
When you sleep, your brain goes through physical changes.
“Sleep is my lover now, my forgetting, my opiate, my oblivion.”
Audrey Niffenegger – The Time Traveler’s Wife
Image by Michael Strong, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
After your brain intakes information during the day, it grows new connections and pathways after you fall into a deep sleep later on — which commits the information to memory.
If you aren’t sleeping well, however, your brain won’t have a chance to perform that essential function, and that won’t help your AP score one bit.
No more all-nighters
Regardless of what Hollywood might lead you to believe, all-nighters are not an effective way to make sure you nail it on your AP exam.
Pro tip:
The mind/body connection is a strong one. Experts say that striking a powerful pose, hands on hips, AKA the Wonder Woman pose before the test helps you face it like the superhero you are.
Sadly, in the real world, missing out on a night’s sleep will inhibit your brain’s ability to process and store information.
As a matter of fact:
Research shows that skipping out on sleep could cut your ability to recall the information you learned by up to 40 percent.
How Music Can Help You Turn Things Up
Next, we have great news for music lovers.
According to research, listening to music while you study is incredibly beneficial for more reasons than one.
Look:
First, according to the University of Maryland, listening to music helps students with stress and test anxiety feel better.
Secondly, other studies found that music helps in overall performance and even with pain management.
Most importantly, though, let’s talk about what music will do for your brain’s ability to learn.
You can do it!
In 2018, 13.4 percent of the people that took the AP chemistry exam scored a 5.
According to a study out of Stanford, “Music moves the brain to pay attention.”
Interestingly enough, by using classical music, the study found that:
“
“Music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions, and updating the events in memory.”
Check out the video below of what Mozart does to someone’s brain:
But that’s not all.
It turns out that music is also an incredibly influential factor when it comes to memory and cognitive functions.
Check out this video:
As you can see, when it comes to memorization and recall, music is your friend.
Tips Specifically for Boosting Your AP Score
By now, you realize that your upcoming AP test is unlike any exam you have taken before.
So, we checked in with the experts to see what you can do to specifically help you improve your score on your upcoming AP exams.
Wnat to know what they say?
Keep reading.
Make a study schedule
First, whether you are taking one or several AP classes, make a study schedule.
Most students find that starting to study for the final AP exams around three months out is the most effective strategy — but you should figure out what works for you.
Check out the video below:
To come up with the most effective plan, ask yourself the following questions:
Start with older material
Did you know the order of the material matters?
It does!
When you sit down to review for your AP exams, experts say to start with the old material first.
Refreshing your memory consistently is the best way to make sure you recall the information you need.
You can do it!
In 2018, 30.2 percent of the people that took the AP physics exam C (mechanics) scored a 5.
Keep the AP exam in mind as you approach new material
Next, as you go through the school year, approach all your new material with the AP test in mind.
It’s easier than you think.
When you take an AP class, you can’t just forget the material once you’re graded on it the first time.
As you learn new material in your AP subjects, make notes about what you’re up to.
Pro tip:
Not all music is created equal when it comes to learning. Experts find that instrumental music like classical, ambient hip-hop, and electronica help the most.
Later on, you will want to have noted both the essential points in each lesson as well as the areas in which you struggled.
Don’t rely too heavily on your teacher
“
Library of the London School of Economics and Political Science [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons
Now, you already know that your AP course is unlike anything you have done before.
It stands to reason, then, that preparing for the AP test is also a new experience for you.
For what may be the first time in your school career, you can’t count on your teacher to deliver all the essential information.
It’s your teacher’s job to ensure you have your information for the school year.
However, no teacher has the time to cover everything on the AP test; and counting on them to do so will hurt your overall score.
This calls for reinforcements.
Invest in an AP prep book
The good news is:
You aren’t entirely on your own when it comes to learning everything you need to know for a fantastic AP score.
First, there are a ton of AP prep books like this one on the market these days covering every subject you can think of.
You definitely want to get yourself a prep book for the AP subjects you’re studying this year.
In addition to essential information on your AP subject, sometimes those prep books will have practice tests in them as well.
She Scored a 5 on Her AP Psych Exam – Here’s How
Now, we have heard enough from adult experts, let’s hear from some students going through the process.
Check out the video below:
As you can see, she used a few of the ideas we are talking about today to study for her exam.
Not taking the AP psychology exam?
No problem!
Handy Memorization Techniques
Anyone who has ever studied anything knows that no matter how hard we try not to, sometimes learning comes down to straight memorization.
Luckily:
We found some interesting techniques to help you memorize all that stuff easily.
Check out this video:
But that’s not all, there’s more!
The Link Method
First, we have the link method.
Check out the video below:
It seems simple enough.
You just create links between what you already know and what you want to remember.
Bam!
The Story Method
Check out this one!
The video below to learn about the Story Method for memorization:
Like the Link Method, the Story Method for memorization creates a pathway for remembering more stuff than you can imagine.
Neat!
The Loci Method
Next, instead of a story, the Loci Method for memorization uses physical items and locations to help you remember.
Check out the video below:
Feeling overwhelmed?
Don’t worry!
You don’t have to learn all of these techniques — we simply want to give you as many options as possible.
Mind Mapping Technique
Finally, we round out this list of memorization techniques with the Mind Mapping Technique.
You’re going to want to see this one.
Check out the video below:
It’s Test Time
Finally!
Now that we have covered how to study leading up to it let’s talk about the week of the exam.
So, lets get down to business.
Top foods to eat on the day of the test:
- Fish to get those Omega-3’s
- Dark fruits and veggies: berries, apples, beans, artichokes
- Complex carbohydrates: whole grains, fresh fruit, beans or legumes
- A quality protein: eggs, lean meat, low-fat milk, or soy
- Water: you need to be adequately hydrated to get 100 percent performance out of that brilliant brain of yours]
Hopefully, you have given yourself plenty of time for studying, so the final week should be as relaxed as possible.
Here are some pro-tips for exam time:
Easy enough, right?
You’re Going to Nail It
Congratulations, you have just taken the bull by the horns, and you are more prepared than ever to get the highest AP score possible.
Just remember:
Give yourself plenty of time.
If you follow the simple steps we laid out for you here, starting with a study schedule, you will find you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
Featured Image: CC0 via Pexels