AP Exam Strategies You Should Develop At The Beginning of the Year

Makenna Warner Avatar

If you’ve taken AP classes before, you know the stress that builds as exam week approaches: cramming in strategy videos, completing tons of past AP exams, reviewing concepts, and building study tools… the list goes on. What if you could remove the stress associated with AP Calc?

By understanding the College Board (CB) expectations for your class and developing the habit of meeting those expectations, you will have greater vision for the course, leading to better performance throughout the year. And, you will be a natural pro when the AP test rolls around, without the stress of last minute preparation.

Here are some habits that I wish I developed in the beginning of the course as an AP Calc student:

  1. Get in the habit of writing CB approved answers. This means…
    • Your answers are precise to the third decimal point. Get used to this now or you may lose points on the AP exam when May rolls around.
    • Understand what is expected from certain action verbs. For example, “justify” requires a formal theorem or definition, requiring conditions to be checked for use. However, the verb “explain/ give a reason” deems a more informal answer where you provide your thought process. Train your brain to recognize exactly what is being asked, and get in the habit of writing a succinct, CB approved answer, every time.
    • Avoid vague phrases in FRQ responses. NEVER refer to a function as “it” or “the function.” CB is merciless with this and will not give you the benefit of the doubt. 
  2. Learn the necessary calculator functions so you are comfortable and flexible with your calculator on exam day.
    • Know how to store functions and values
    • Know how to find the zeros of a function, intersection of curves, and extrema
    • Know how to calculate a derivative numerically and evaluate a definite integral
  3. Know thy exam. Look at the AP exam test structure and course structure so you can have a mental model of what you are expected to know. I’d also recommend understanding the big picture of Calculus. Know that Calculus is made up of two main branches– the study of integrals and the study of derivatives, and that Calculus deals with very small changes. Go to Youtube for more elaboration. Knowing the panorama of what you’re learning can make everything more applicable and interesting. 
  4. Bring your A game to every Calc class you attend, every homework problem you complete, and each minute you spend studying. Remember that the more effort you put in and knowledge you gain now, the more prepared you will be for the exam and future math classes. Treat each learning opportunity like the blessing it is. 

Knowledge is worthless without application. So be wise, and use this advice to ace this year’s AP exam.

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