The first two weeks in May have always been hectic for AP students and teachers – the exams finally are here! Congratulations to all of our students and teachers for making it this far!
The AP Exams do cause a lot of anxiety for teachers and students. They feel very high stakes, and often both teachers and students feel that the score earned is a reflection on someone’s intelligence or competence. As a long-time AP teacher myself, I know how this self-inflicted pressure can mount, causing sleepless nights, fear, and even loathing!
But rest assured, AP Exams are not high stakes, and they should not cause anxiety or undue stress. AP Exams should be viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate one’s knowledge of the course. That’s it. Students will still graduate from high school if they don’t make a qualifying score. Students will still go to college or their intended career and most likely thrive if they don’t make a qualifying score. The only loss is the cost of the exam, which for students in our ALSDE/A+ College Ready Program, is at least reduced from the full price of $89.
Research shows that a little stress can be a good thing, motivating us to action. But too much stress hurts our performance. Students should remember that AP Exams are not like regular classroom tests – there is no need to get all the questions right. Attempt to answer questions you know and make educated guesses on questions you don’t. Eliminate choices that are clearly wrong, and your chances of getting the question right increase. Try at least some of each free response question. For most AP Exams, getting 60-70% of the multiple choice questions and half of the essays correct usually means a qualifying score. It’s worth it to guess and give each question a chance.
The benefits of taking the AP Exam are numerous. Students who take the AP Exam are more likely to do better in college, even if they don’t make a qualifying score. If they do make a qualifying score, they can potentially earn college credit for the course, and, for students in our program, they earn $100 for the score, which is kind of like getting a mini-scholarship. Students who take AP courses and exams end up having an easier time their freshman year than students with no AP experience. If students can have a strong freshman year, chances are they will finish school strong as well.
So, to all our students taking AP Exams this week and next, trust your training! If you’ve attended Saturday Study Sessions, taken the mock exams, and paid attention in class (even just a little), you should know the answers to many of the questions. If you’ve struggled or you don’t feel well prepared, don’t panic. The worst that can happen is that you won’t make a qualifying score. That’s it. No one will revoke your admission or scholarships. No one will keep you from receiving your diploma. No one will even have to know but you! But I guarantee that when you take that class again in college, it will be easier. It won’t stress you out as much as it will stress out your non-AP-prepared peers. You will only have to review the material, not learn it cold.
Now that AP Exams are here, sit back, relax just a little (but not too much), and do your best. That’s all we ask of you, and all that is really needed.
