AP classes at Arlington High School are starting to become plentiful. There is an AP class for almost every subject offered here at AHS. Are you thinking about taking one? Before you jump ahead and make a decision to sign up for AP this spring, here are some helpful tips to get you prepared for what you’re getting yourself into.

Stay Focused

It’s important that when you’re learning at such a fast pace, you stay targeted on the task at hand. If you’re distracted, it’s harder for you to retain the information you’re hearing or reading. AP tests at the end of the year test cumulative knowledge. Staying focused will help you keep all that information locked into your brain.

Study, Study, Study

Studying is not only just going over your homework, but taking notes during class and maybe even making flashcards for yourself. Find the method that works best for you and stick with that for the whole year. Don’t wait until two days before the AP test to study everything you’ve learned that year. That’s too much information to cram into your head, and you’re most likely going to forget most of it. Holly Kemple (’19), who took AP European History last year, said, “If you don’t study, it bites you in the butt for sure. It’s not a class you can just sit back and get an easy A in like most. You actually have to work for it.”

Don’t Procrastinate

Along with not waiting to study, you can’t procrastinate on your homework for the class either. AP teachers have a goal to prepare you for the AP test at the end of the year, so the homework they give to you will only help you. Cram-studying and cram-reading is not the way to go. Kristina Wigren (’19), was an AP European History student last year, like Kemple. She gave some advice regarding procrastination. “The best advice I can give is to do all your homework on time instead of procrastinating. As long as you keep up with the reading and the assignments, you’ll be successful in the class,” Wigren said.

Pacing

Before you take an AP class, you should know that these types of classes move at a very quick pace. Most AP testing begins in May, so a whole year’s worth of information has to be taught in about a month less than regular classes. If you like learning at a slower pace, consider your options carefully before taking AP.

Testing Style

AP tests have the tendency to get a little confusing. The people who create the tests word the questions in a way that is supposed to make you think. Train yourself to fully read the question– maybe even two or three times– before you read every answer (if it’s multiple choice) and choose the answer you think is the most correct. AP testers tend to put answers on the test that may seem correct, but you have to choose the one that is the most correct. Hannah Carlson (’18) is a former AP US History student. Carlson said, “For testing, you pretty much just have to get used to the questions because they are made to be confusing.”

Organization

In order to be overall successful in an AP class, you need to stay organized. Keeping your notes and work in order allow you to more easily access them so you can study easier. All in all, organization points all fingers to your study habits and work ethic.

The growth of AP classes at our school has influenced many to join the AP community. Will you be next? If you’re leaning towards no, just take Kemple’s word for it. “Overall, it was a very difficult class that taught you skills to apply in other classes. I noticed I haven’t been procrastinating as much and studying more. It’s almost like if it instilled a fear factor into learning and getting your stuff together,” said Kemple. To learn more information about AP classes and testing, visit http://apcentral.collegeboard.org.