Feature Photo By: Sam Newman- AP Chemistry teacher Mr. Bird explains to sophomore Obi Agbim what he missed on a chemistry test. Many students struggle with some chemistry concepts, especially later in the year.

As the year draws to a close, many Rangeview AP students are preparing to take the final exams for their courses, whether that be AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP English Language and Composition, or all of the above.

AP, or advanced placement, is a program offered through College Board which allows high school students to take tests that get them college credit, if passed. Therefore, AP tests can be very important to some high school students as they provide an opportunity to save money in college.

Some students, like junior Makenzie Bell – who is taking AP Biology and AP English Language and Composition – believe they are ready to take on the AP exams when they come around.

“This year, I have more practice and am far more prepared for these tests than I have been in the past,” Bell said. “Hopefully, I’ll get at least a 3 on lang and a 4 or a 5 on bio.” 

Unfortunately, not all students feel they are as prepared as Bell. Junior Nicholas Provancal – taking AP Chemistry and AP English Language and Composition – is not nearly as confident in his AP testing abilities as Bell is, or as he would like to be.

“No,” Provancal said, “I’m not prepared [for the exams] because I don’t know what to study. On a good day, I’ll get 3’s on both.”

Luckily for students like Provancal, the AP exam isn’t the only important part of an AP class, as AP Chemistry teacher Mr. Bird will attest.

“Even if you don’t do well on the test, from what I understand of statistics that the counseling department has shared, just by taking an AP class and taking the test gives you a better chance of finishing college in your degree,” Bird said. “[This is] because you have an idea of what it’s going to be like, with the workload and the difficulty.”

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be prepared for your AP exams. Below are some tips to prepare for exam day, as provided by College Board.

Preparing for Exam Day

What To Bring:

• Multiple sharpened #2 pencils with erasers
• Multiple black/dark blue pens
• A calculator, if appropriate, for the exam you will take (check approved calculators here)
• A ruler or straight edge (for AP Physics only)
• Your school I.D.

What Not To Bring:

• Any electronics, unless approved for your test or a watch with no Internet access or alarms
• Any books, dictionaries, protractors, compasses, correction fluids, or scratch paper
• Any mechanical pencils, colored pencils, No. 3 pencils, or highlighters
• Reference guides, ear plugs, food or drink
• Clothing related to the material being tested on

View the full AP bulletin for the 2017 – 2018 school year here.

On Exam Day

• Get a good night’s sleep, wake up early, and eat a hearty breakfast
• Ensure that you have everything you need (as listed above)
• Get to your testing location early
• Don’t forget to do your best on the test

AP Exam Schedule

Remember to study as hard as you can in the days leading up to the test, get a good night’s sleep the night before, and do your best.

According to Mr. Bird, “You guys have done more AP work than I ever did in high school…. You guys all deserve to be commended just for finishing the class.”