HOW TO PREPARE FOR AP AND IB EXAMS

5-minute read.

The following blog post was written specifically for students.

There is no denying that Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams are a big deal. Achieving high scores shows college admissions officers that you possess the academic fortitude necessary to succeed in university courses and can actually save you time and money by allowing you to bypass certain introductory level classes.

With stakes so high, targeted preparation is essential for even the brightest student. Luckily, there are actionable steps you can take to ensure you have the course material covered and can walk into your exam feeling confident. With over a decade of experience working closely with students leading up to their AP and IB exams, we have narrowed down our top fourtips to help you best prepare for these significant exams!

Top 4 Tips for Rocking AP and IB Exams

Learn The Format & Point System of Each Exam

AP and IB exams are set up differently than the average high school exam, so it’s important to understand what exactly you are getting yourself into. Do your research, either online or by speaking with your teachers, to learn the format of each particular exam you’ll be taking. You’ll be sure to move more quickly through each exam if you know what to expect.

Knowing how points are awarded for these exams is also key, as each works quite differently from typical high school exams. For AP exams, you do not lose points for marking a multiple choice answer incorrectly and no points are awarded for unanswered questions. This being the case, it makes sense for you to venture a guess even if you’re unsure. That way, you at least have a shot at getting a point added!

For IB exams, a good strategy is to focus more heavily on the non-multiple choice portion, as they are given more weight in your overall score. These questions might include structured problems, short-response, data-response, text-response, or case-studies.

Get Organized & Leave Plenty of Time for Preparation

Your teacher should be able to offer some guidance as to how best to structure your materials for your exam, but ultimately it is up to you to get organized. Understanding the exam’s format will help here, as you can organize your notes based on which section that material is likely to come up in. Another great strategy is to lay out your materials by chapter or course segment.

While most high school exams only cover a portion of what the course touched on, AP and IB exams require you to familiarize yourself with all of the lectures or handouts that were presented to you. Everything will be fair game. Reach out to your peers to compare materials to ensure you haven’t overlooked anything.

This amount of material can feel overwhelming to study, so it is vital to do so in chunks and take breaks. We suggest creating a study guide and study schedule for yourself and sticking to them. A good rule of thumb is to dedicate 25-30 minutes to uninterrupted study at a time and take breaks in between to avoid burnout.

While it may seem obvious, it’s worth noting that you should not leave this to the last minute. The farther out from exam time that you start studying, the more flexibility you’ll have with your schedule. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Outside Assistance 

Studying for AP and IB courses is no joke. It takes far more time, deeper focus, and stronger discipline than most of you are used to at this stage in your academic careers. There is absolutely no shame in seeking outside assistance to ensure you maximize your study time and achieve your desired results.

At Tutoring Club of McLean, we are not one-size-fits-all, classroom-style, white-board style prep. We believe strongly in individualized instruction designed to help you master content and to provide you with test-taking strategies that reduce anxiety and improve recall. Further, we strive to only cover the content areas in which you don’t already excel. Our AP and IB Exam Prep is designed for students who want to be active participants in improving their scores.

Take a Deep Breath & Be Kind to Your Body

It’s only natural to feel nervous before a high pressure situation such as an AP or IB exam. It is important to treat yourself with kindness as you prepare. If you feel some pre-exam jitters coming on, take five deep breaths to calm yourself down. Studies have shown that this technique can significantly reduce anxiety.

Due to stress, your body may start having some unhealthy cravings such as chips, chocolate, fried foods, and sugary drinks. Don’t give into these! Instead, try turning to healthier alternatives like eggs (high in protein and B12), peanut butter (high in protein and healthy fats), and fresh fruits (high in natural sugars). And be sure to drink lots of water, as keeping hydrated is proven to boost alertness and concentration.

During your study breaks, try working some light exercise into your schedule—even a 10-15 minute walk should do the trick! This will allow your mind and body time to digest all of the information you’ve been cramming.

Time to Get Studying!

Studying for your advanced end of year exams can often feel like an impossible task—we get that! At Tutoring Club of McLean, we aim to take some of that pressure off by providing you with the structure and support you need to succeed. Speak to your parents about getting in touch with us today to discuss how our Prep can help you to knock your exams out of the park.

Michelle Scott
Owner/Director
Tutoring Club of McLean
703.237.TUTOR (8886)
Email: McLeanVA@tutoringclub.com