2022 AP Exams: Everything You Need To Know
Get Ready
AP
Do Your Best
Get Ready AP Do Your Best
Introduction
Advanced Placement, or AP, exams are a crucial part of the college application process. AP exams are standardized tests that allow high school students to earn college credit and demonstrate their mastery of college-level coursework.
The AP exam preparation process can be daunting, but with the right resources and study plan, you can feel confident and prepared come test day. In this blog, I'll cover everything you need to know about the 2022 AP exams, including study resources, creating a study plan, and managing stress and test anxiety.
Study & Prepare
One of the most important parts of AP exam prep is creating a study plan. I recommend starting by taking a practice test under timed conditions to get a sense of which areas you need to focus on. Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can create a study plan that targets those areas.
When it comes to studying for AP exams, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some students prefer to study in short, focused bursts while others prefer to study gradually over a longer period of time. Find what works best for you and stick to it. In the weeks leading up to your AP exams. Create a study plan that outlines what you need to review and when.
Create a study schedule that fits your needs. Identify your strengths and weakness and determine how much time you need to devote to each subject. When you're studying for multiple AP exams, it can be helpful to create a study plan that groups together similar subjects.
Here is the complete schedule of this year's AP exams to help you build your study schedule:
Late testing dates are available if students cannot test during the first two weeks of May. See the late-testing schedule.
Begin by reviewing the course material. Identify the key concepts and terms you need to know for each subject. Make sure you understand how these concepts relate to one another.
Practice with AP-style sample questions. As you review the course material, make sure to do plenty of practice questions. AP-style questions will be similar to what you'll see on the actual exam, so it's important to get familiar with them. Many textbooks and AP study guides include AP-style questions at the end of each chapter or section.
Take full-length practice tests. As the exam date approaches, focus on practicing timed tests and honing your test-taking skills. The College Board offers full-length AP practice exams for most subjects. These are the most comprehensive AP practice exams available.
Resources
There are a number of great resources available to help you prepare for AP exams. Do some research to find the resources that best fit your needs and learning style. Here is a list of options to get you started:
The College Board, which administers the AP program, offers a number of FREE resources on its website, including full-length practice tests, sample questions, and tips for creating a study plan.
Khan Academy also offers FREE AP exam prep resources, including practice questions and video lessons.
5 Steps to a 5 is a popular AP prep book that offers a step-by-step guide to acing your AP exam. You can find a book specific to the class you are taking online or at your local bookstore.
A number of companies offer AP test prep courses. These can be expensive, but some students find the structure and support of a class helpful. . If you decide to go this route, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable course. Here are a few that I recommend:
Applerouth offers a selection of online review sessions for many AP subjects (heads up these have VERY LIMITED time remaining to enroll!!). Classes are 2 hours and include the option to add one-on-one tutoring at the lowest rate available.
Edison Prep offers an AP US History Bootcamp on April 23 and 24. The class is 7.5 hours long and taught by a College Board-approved AP Reader. There are in-person and virtual options available.
For a more personalized approach, you can also consider a private tutor. AP tutors can help you tailor your study plan to your specific needs and provide support and accountability as you prepare for your AP exams.
Managing Stress & Anxiety
It's normal to feel some stress and anxiety leading up to AP exams. The key is to manage your stress in a healthy way and not let it get in the way of your exam prep.
Here are a few tips for managing stress and test anxiety:
Create a study plan and stick to it. Having a plan will help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or like you can't handle the stress of AP exam season, reach out for help. Talk to someone who understands. You are not alone. TRUST ME! AP exam prep can be tough, but millions of students do it every year. Talk to your friends, family, AP teacher, or counselor about what you're going through.
Make time for breaks and relaxation. It's important to take breaks from studying to clear your head and relax. Go for a walk, listen to music, or read a book for fun. Do whatever you need to do to recharge.
Don't forget to take care of your body and mind during exam season. Eat healthy foods, exercise, and get enough sleep, especially the night before your exam.
Avoid cramming the night before. It's tempting to try to pack in a last-minute cram session, but it's not going to help you on test day. You're better off getting a good night's sleep and arriving well-rested for your AP exam.
Look at the big picture! Don't get caught up in all the noise. Remember that AP exams are JUST TESTS. Yes, they are important, but they are not the be-all and end-all of your academic career. AP scores are just one factor in the college admissions process. Do your best and don't sweat it if you don't get the score you were hoping for.
You can also check out this quick video from Sal Khan with his tips to reduce test anxiety.
Be Ready For Test Day
The day of your AP exam is finally here! You've been studying hard and you're feeling confident, but there are still a few things you can do to make sure you're fully prepared.
Here are a few tips for test day:
Get a good night's sleep the night before. You want to be well-rested for your exam.
Eat a healthy breakfast on the day of your exam. You need fuel for your brain!
Make sure you have everything you need before you leave for the test center. Make sure you have your photo ID and your printed admission ticket. If your exam allows a calculator for the math section, make sure yours is on the approved list. Here is a list of things to bring to your exam, including the list of approved calculators:
Arrive at the test center early. Allow yourself plenty of time to find your testing room and get settled. If you do not arrive on time, the test facility will most likely have a waiting list of students and will give your seat to one of them if you are not there. The doors to the testing location will be closed at the scheduled start time of the exam and will not allow late entry. This is to preserve the integrity of the AP exam.
During the exam, relax and take your time. Pacing yourself is key to doing your best on AP exams. Some testing rooms will not have a clock, so you may want to bring a watch (one that does not have internet access, does not beep or make noise, and does not have an alarm) with you to keep track of time. Smartwatches and wearable technology are not allowed in the testing room, so leave those at home.
If you finish your exam early, check over your work and make sure you have answered all the questions. When the exam time has expired, the proctor will notify you and collect your answer sheet.
Sal Khan has shared his recommendations for preparing the night before your AP exam.
Getting & Sending Your Scores
Now that you have taken your AP exams, it's time to sit back and relax and wait for your AP scores.
Your score report will be available in mid-July. You will need your AP number (from your AP student packet) and your college board account login to access your score report. Scores are released based on your location, so check the College Board's website for the specific date your scores will be released.
There is a fee for sending your AP Exam scores to colleges, but you can send up to four free score reports to colleges of your choice when you register for the AP Exam. Your AP scores can also be sent to colleges you designate on your answer sheet when you take your exam. Most colleges do not require AP scores as part of the admission process, so I don't recommend sending your scores automatically. You can usually self-report the scores you feel will positively impact your college application, and then send the official scores to the college when you begin the enrollment process. If you decide to send scores after you take the AP exam, you'll be charged a fee for each score report.
Conclusion
In general, AP exam scores are just one part of the college admission process. If you're applying to colleges that use a holistic review process, your AP exam scores may help your application stand out from the crowd. But if you're applying to colleges that use a more traditional admissions process, your AP exam scores may not make as much of a difference.
The AP exam score scale is curved so that a 50% means you've earned an average score. The median score is often close to a 3, but it can vary from year to year and depends on the mix of students who take the exam. While the percentage of students who receive a score of 5 varies from exam to exam, it is important to note that all AP exams are designed so that only a small percentage of students will receive the highest score. For example, the following is an example of data from 2021 AP exam results:
AP English Language: 9% earn a 5
AP Physics 1: 7% earn a 5
AP US History: 10% earn a 5
AP Calc BC: 38% earn a 5
Complete list of 2021 AP Score Distribution
How is your AP exam scored? The AP exam score scale has four components:
The number of points you earned on the multiple-choice section; scored by a computer
The number of points you earned on the free-response section (essays and open-ended questions); scored at the annual AP Reading held during the first two weeks in June by specially appointed college professors and experienced AP teachers
Your composite score is the average of your multiple-choice and free-response scores.
Your composite score is translated to the 5-point scale using statistical processes designed to ensure the same level of achievement for each score from year to year. The AP Exam 5-point scale offers students a broad range of college credit and placement opport5unities. A score of 3, 4, or 5 indicates that you are qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement when you enroll in college. According to the College Board your score translates in the following ways:
5: Extremely Well Qualified
4: Well Qualified
3: Qualified
2: Possibly Qualified
1: No recommendation
The assessments for AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Computer Science Principles, and the three AP Art and Design courses are scored differently. Please review the individual course information on the College Board’s website for more information.
Not all AP exams have the same score distribution, meaning the same percentage of students get a score of 5.
There is no such thing as a bad AP exam score. There is also not a score that will guarantee you will get college credit. Each college has its own policies regarding AP credit and course placement so it is important that you check with the colleges you are interested in to see how they will use your AP exam scores. You can use the College Board’s AP Credit Policy search tool to look up the schools you are considering.
Remember, you are more than your test scores - don't let them define you. AP exams are just one way to show colleges what you know and what you're capable of. Do your best on the exam, but don't stress if you don't get the score you were hoping for.
In the end, it's just a test.
For more information on AP exams, visit: AP Student
