For many high school students, the end of winter break signals the beginning of Advanced Placement (AP) prep. Crunch time for AP tests can certainly be stressful. When it comes to studying for your exams, it is important to spend your study time wisely in order to be well prepared by May. This includes avoiding AP prep myths, which can be harmful to your success. Believing these misconceptions can lead to poor study habits or to dissatisfaction with your progress, thus making it more difficult to succeed on your AP tests. Below are the four most common AP prep myths: 1. “I will be fine studying for my AP exams on my own” With p ... Read More About 4 Myths About AP Prep

In May 2015, the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics B exam will undergo some change. Reviewing the breakdown of these changes below will help students to ensure readiness for the new exam when it premieres.  The need for change  The National Research Council (NRC) recently determined that the AP Physics B course covered too wide a breadth of material – so wide that students were not developing a deep enough understanding of concepts. To improve exploration of such materials, and to expand the scope of knowledge covered, the NRC made a recommendation that AP Physics B be divided into a two-year course, effectively doubling its le ... Read More About How Will the AP Physics B Exam Change in May 2015?

High school students everywhere recognize that one of the most stressful periods of the entire school year is that of the AP Exams. There are numerous subjects that are tested upon – social sciences, mathematics, literature, and languages to name only a few. Although each exam focuses only on its own unique subject, there are a few overarching lessons to be studied as well that students can apply across the board. Preparing for the exam involves more than just learning the subjects at hand; it is vitally important to understand how to prepare for and take the exams. These are 4 myths about AP prep. Learn to avoid these 3 common mistakes ... Read More About 3 Common Mistakes to Avoid on AP Exams

In May of 2015, there will be changes to the Advanced Placement U.S. History test. These changes have been in the works since 2006, with the new framework rolled out in 2012 to give teachers the chance to prepare themselves and their students. There will also be changes to the AP Physics B Exam in May 2015 as well. So, what will the new exam look like? How has it changed, and why?  Why is the exam changing? The prior AP U.S. History exam was heavily criticized. Mainly, critique focused on the exam’s length, as well as its questions spanning such a wide range of potential topics that students did not always know what to s ... Read More About How Will the AP U.S. History Exam Change in May 2015?

While the average student can generally make sense of multiple-choice questions, the threat of a free response question can be nerve-wracking. On AP exams, free response questions present a particularly difficult challenge on an already strenuous test, and many students devote multiple resources (e.g. guidebooks, study groups, tutors) and weeks of prep to them. But learning to negotiate the free response portion of the AP exam can ease students’ worries, offer a structured way to study, and increase your likelihood of a more positive testing experience with a higher pass rate. So, take note—here are several strategies to help you ... Read More About How to Answer Free Response Questions on AP Exams