By the end of this school year, I will have taken thirteen AP exams ranging from AP Chemistry to AP World History. Of the eight exams I’ve taken so far, I’ve received a five on seven of them. These are the resources that I used.

Targeted Practice using Tests and Quizzes:

   An arguably invaluable source to AP students is their past tests and quizzes throughout the year. Students should strategically use these tests and quizzes to identify their weaknesses. Students should mark and label each mistake or wrong answer by their unit and concept to figure out where there is a gap in understanding. If you do not understand why you got a question wrong, investigate what the mistake was and redo the question with the correct answer. Then they can review those weaknesses through targeted practice and review using other methods recommended in the methods below.

YouTube:

   YouTube truly has an abundance of teachers that can help you review content. Hiemler’s History has playlists with dozens of topic videos for history and government APs and a study resource packet available for purchase. Jacob Clifford is a YouTuber who specializes in AP Economics topics. Crash Course has an abundance of YouTube playlists that include topics from AP Chemistry to AP World History to Computer Science. While these resources are good for auditory and visual learners, students who can take open notes would most benefit from this open-type review.

Review Guides:

   Ultimate Review Guide: Many YouTubers or online AP reviewers create purchasable guides for their respective AP classes.  Each packet costs $24.99 and can include unit reviews, multiple-choice practice, and full-length practice exams. These guides are best for students who are auditory or visual learners who enjoy watching videos to learn content. Especially students who enjoy videos and guided note-taking methods. Some methods of use for these guides could be dependent on the time you plan to use them. Those with long-term study plans can methodically review the content chronologically. Those on a time crunch can take a practice exam and review any specific weaknesses found.

   Princeton Review Guide: The Princeton Review Guide is one of the more mainstream study guides given and recommended by AP teachers. Alternatively, 5 Steps to a 5 is another study guide that is recommended primarily for STEM subjects. Both these resources are purchasable textbook formatted resources that contain content review chapters, exam overviews, practice exams, and explanations that correspond with each question answer. This resource is best used by students who enjoy textbook review and repetition practice. Like the Ultimate Review Guide, those with lots of time can read the textbook from front to back cover. However, a more time-efficient study method is to take a practice exam, identify weaknesses, and target review or practice that section.

AP Classroom Live Review Sessions:

   AP Classroom not only has unit videos and practice questions but when AP exams are on the horizon they will have AP live review sessions with real AP teachers on video to review content and walk-through practice questions with the viewers. These live review sessions are recorded for later review but the best way to watch is live, with notes, and with active participation. Students should use these review sessions as last minute complete reviews. Especially since they are released only a short time before exams begin, it is much easier to listen to these videos only after thorough review of the content on your own.