Every year in May, students throughout the school take the AP tests that they have been preparing for all year, and as the tests are fast approaching, the cramming begins.

The AP tests are graded on a scale of 1-5. Eligibility for earning college credit begins with a score of 3 for most universities. Currently, HCP provides classes to prepare for 17 of the tests that can be taken for college credit.

AP US History teacher Amanda Johnson had 30 students that passed the AP test with a 3 or better in the spring of 2012. A large portion of the students did well in the class, and as a result did well on the AP tests and were able to be eligible for college credit.

Habits that students can learn early to ensure that they are better prepared is to study continuously when preparing for a test, which allows you to remember the information better in the long run than cramming the night before. Students can also save all of the tests that they have throughout the year. These tests are perfect for studying from during the review period.

Some students do not do so well however, generally the reasons for this are the same even if they vary from AP class to AP class.

“Students used online short notes throughout the year to study for quizzes,” Johnson said. “These students almost never fully read the chapters and therefore often lost context for overall material and importance. They also missed out on lots of little details that I may have not quizzed over but mattered.”

She also said that students did not take the review seriously. Between 10 and 15 students received a score of a 2 because they barely gave any effort toward reviews. Johnson encourages students to review in and out of class and to identify personal weaknesses and to work on them.

“Use flashcards, and intense 30 minutes study sessions followed by 15 minute breaks and be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before,” said senior Jordan Johnson.

“Be sure that you have pens that write well and don’t worry when going into the test because at this point it’s too late. You either know it or you don’t,” said senior James Bruton

Students who take an AP test and have an A or a B in that class can are exempt from the final.