Creating an AP Exam Study Plan

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To help your child prepare for AP exams, it’s best to create a study plan! North Tampa Christian Academy, a top Christian school in Tampa, has tips on how to make a personalized study plan to help your child stay on track. Reduce stress by applying time-management techniques and prepare in advance.

Prepare Months in Advance
Don’t leave studying for the last minute. Two weeks prior to the exam is not enough time to prepare. Prepare throughout the year by giving your child practice questions and tests. Create the study plan at least three months before the test so there is time to review and revisit all of the information. 

Take Diligent Notes
Make sure your child is taking diligent notes. Whatever the instructor says, your child should be writing down. Let your child know to keep their ears perked when the teacher says something like “this is important” or “this will be on the test.” The trick to remembering names and dates is by coming up with keywords that would trigger the answer. Little reminders can help their brains retain information. Good notes have highlights and side notes in the margins. Condense all of your notes into the study guide.

Create a Study Group
Connecting with classmates can reassure your child and keep them confident. Let them hop on a video chat and review the material. Creating a team is helpful in case your child is ever sick and has a peer that can provide notes. Plan a time to meet virtually; whether it’s once a week or once a month, a check-in is a beneficial practice tool. Your child isn’t alone in this, so having a support system to back them up will put his mind at ease. 

Purchase a Prep Book
There are a variety of prep books available that you can acquire. AP exam prep guides come in a couple of different formats, including reviewing information or practicing for the test. Depending on what your child needs to work on, they can find a book that fits their needs.

Take Practice Tests
Your child should take many practice tests to get ready. Not only will it give them an idea of what’s on the test, but also build their endurance in test-taking. The practice tests provide a great way to review, remember, and recall information, which will alleviate any anxiety.

Focus on Weak Spots and Strengths
We encourage you to focus on your child’s weak spots but don’t overlook their strengths. It’s easy to assume that preparation requires only the problem areas, but that’s far from the truth. Your child needs to maintain their strengths.

At North Tampa Christian Academy, a top Christian school in Tampa, the faculty, staff, and families work as a team. Our service-oriented approach builds Christian leaders who think deeply, choose wisely, create beauty, and use their dreams to solve problems. Want to learn more about what makes us different? Contact us today.