As the end of the school year nears, students begin preparing for their AP exams, taking place May 4-11.
The AP Human Geography exam, an AP course covering human behavior and interaction with the environment, was taken on May 5. The exam consisted of a 60-question multiple choice and three free-response questions.
“Our teacher has been spending some time going over what we missed, but more than anything he’s been prioritizing giving us time to use the AP classroom resources,” freshman Vibha Ganipineni said. “I feel pretty confident because I’ve gotten a 5 on every MCQ and FRQ so far.”
The AP Physics 1 exam was held on May 6, an algebra-based introductory physics course where students learn about the concepts of systems, fields and force interactions through class study and laboratory work. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions and three short answer questions based on one experimental design and one qualitative/quantitative translation.
“I’m currently preparing by studying MCQs, taking practice tests and using AP classroom. I’m also watching Flip Physics videos on YouTube,” sophomore Deepali Puligadda said. “I don’t feel super prepared, but I think that as I keep practicing MCQs and making more connections between the units, I’ll feel pretty good.”
For AP World History, students explore human behavior, interactions and developments and events from c. 1200 CE to the present. The exam comprises a 55-question multiple choice section and a short answer, document-based and long-based question section, taken on May 7.
“I’ve been preparing for the AP test by watching a lot of YouTube videos, mostly Heimler’s History, and writing down my own personal notes,” sophomore Tamara Amezquita Alaniz said. “Had I practiced the LEQs and the DBQs, I’d probably be more confident, but as of now I’m happy with what I have.”
In AP Statistics, students learn about data variation, pattern recognition and how to make data-based decisions. The exam on May 7 was composed of a 40-question multiple choice section and six-question free response section.
“The morning of the test, I watched an hour-long video to prepare, and I was also given reviews in AP Classroom the week prior,” junior Ava Hodges said. “I feel like I did okay on the test, the FRQ was hard, but the MCQ was easier than expected.”
Students taking the AP Seminar exam have already completed part of their exam throughout the year in team and individual presentations and essays. The exam on test day involved three free response questions on a source and an essay with four sources.
“I’m actually reading a decent amount because the Seminar EOC is very writing-based and you need to know sources off the top of your head,” sophomore Jan Sengupta said. “I’ve been trying to read a lot of news and trying to understand what’s going on around me so that I can use it as points and evidence for my essay.”
For AP Psychology, students learn about the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. The exam on May 12 encompassed a 75-question multiple choice section and two free-response questions.
“I’m currently preparing by making flashcards of all the terms I need to know off a study guide from our teacher, and I’m also doing practice questions for each unit as well,” sophomore Izzie Vincent said. “It’s a lot to remember, but I think I’ve got it.”
In AP English Language and Composition, students read nonfiction texts and explore the choices writers and speakers make to persuade their audience. On test day, May 13, students are expected to answer 45 multiple choice questions and write three essays.
“Our class has prepared by using released practice exams and essay prompts for review and to understand what the exam is going to test us on,” junior Jonathan Salinas said. “I feel very prepared because my teacher, Ms. Gatti, has been making our assignments and writing more difficult than the exam will be so that we can be over prepared.”
Finally, for AP Environmental Science, students explore global energy consumption, the distribution of natural resources and human impact on the environment. The exam on May 15 consists of an 80-question multiple choice section and three free response questions.
“I’m preparing for the exam by doing the practice tests and FRQs in AP Classroom, and I’m also doing the AP review assignments that my teacher assigned,” senior Charlie Grandstaff said. “I feel decently prepared, but I also think there’s more work I could do to better prepare myself.”