When it comes to passing AP tests
there's no substitute for learning the subject as it is presented
during the school year. AP courses are challenging college level courses
which cannot be mastered by last minute cramming.
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Why You Should Take
AP Classes Seriously |
- Passing an AP
test is worth over $1000. The
annual cost of attending
Clemson University is about
$11,256 per
year. Assuming a student takes a full load of about 5
classes per semester, the cost of each class works out to
about $1125. Exempting a class saves over $1000.
- Many Universities
consider AP scores in determining admissions along
with SAT scores, GPA and class rank. A good AP record will
help get you into the college of your choice.
- AP test scores are a
factor in a number of different scholarships. They
show that you are ready for college work. This also makes
a high AP score potentially worth far more than $1000.
- Even if you do not
pass the AP test, you will be far better prepared for
college. If you have to retake a class you will find
that what you learned in your AP class will be invaluable.
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The general rule of thumb in college says
that a student should study about 2 hours outside of class for every
hour in class. AP courses tend to have more classroom time and so
the ratio is somewhat lower. However, It should be clear that AP classes
do require a significant effort.
Even for dedicated students, it's almost
impossible to reach their potential score without studying specifically
for the AP exam. In general it's more difficult to pass an AP exam than
to pass the equivalent college level course. The following are offered
as guidelines:
During the Year
- AP stands for attitude and persistence. The real lesson of
AP classes is not the subject. It's learning to have a committed
attitude and to persist even when the subject seems to make no sense.
Failure is not a grade. It's an attitude and it's one to avoid.
- Write important ideas on 3x5 cards
during class. These can be used to prepare for tests as well as for
the AP exam.
- Join or form a study group as
early as possible. Group study is a definite benefit.
- Obtain an AP study book as soon
as possible. In many cases Mr. Rogers will provide one. In addition
buy one from a different publisher. Study sections in the AP book as
they are covered in class.
- Begin taking practice AP tests
out of the study books as early as winter break. Yes, some of the
material will not have been covered in class, however, you can still
gain a lot by early practice.
Failure is not an option.
-
Gene Kranz, Mission Director Apollo 13
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Final Preparations - 4th Quarter
- Regularly take multiple choice
practice tests in the study books. Start with only 10
multiple-choice questions in one of the tests. Study the questions you
miss. Re-take the questions until its possible to state the question
by seeing the answer. Next, add 10 more questions. Repeat this process
until you have completed an entire test. Then, move on to the next
test. Do this same process for at least 3 practice tests. In general,
it's best to take the multiple choice sections separately from the
free response.
- Work at least 3 free response test
sections from the study books.
- Attend as many AP study sessions
as you possibly can. Do not depend on in-class review sessions
- Avoid field trips during the 4th quarter. This is generally
when AP knowledge comes together for most students. The 4th quarter is
a very bad time to miss classes.
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