Every year around mid-April to mid-May, a large portion of the Sentinel student body, particularly Grade 11s and 12s, undergoes what can be described as a collective realization: "Oh no, AP exams are coming." After working tirelessly all year to learn the material needed for each of your exams, rest assured you have already done most of the work to prepare-Sentinel's robust AP program and experienced teachers have successfully helped countless students before you through the same course. However, if you need some last minute-prep mid-way through this exam season or are curious for next year, here are some tips and information about this year's exams.
What are this year's exams going to look like? As many have seen this week, while the College Board is offering digital exams to students across the world unable to write them in person, all of Sentinel's exams will be full-length, in-person examinations of years past. Depending on the subject, the length of the test will vary, but expect each exam to be approximately 3 hours long. Exams will be completed in the field house, and you can find the date and time of your exams on the AP Classroom/College Board website (you can also find the full exam schedule by clicking here). While exams rarely overlap, some exams may be at different times on the same day, such as Chemistry and Physics 2 on May 7.
How can you prepare? Likely the same way most of your teachers have already been practicing with you. Reviewing notes and using study guides will help refresh any material you may have forgotten, and trying timed practice tests yourself or on AP Classroom will help with timing and thinking under pressure. We suggest you spend more time reviewing any AP classes you took earliest-especially those from Quarter 1 and Quarter 2.
Regardless of how much time you spend studying, it is important to know the exams will likely be hard-they're supposed to be. AP scores are not assessed in the same way an in-class final exam might be.
For a lot of exams, shooting for 1/2-2/3 correct on multiple choice and free response questions places you in a good position to get a 3 or higher overall (of course, consult with your teacher to get similar estimates for specific courses).
It's been a difficult year for learning as a whole, and the first year Sentinel students have had to take AP exams while on a quarter system. Regardless of the outcome, make sure to take time to celebrate the hard work you've done this year!
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