How do I ace the AP Exam?

Ace the AP Exam by starting your prep early, using official study materials like the College Board for AP exams, organizing your notes, studying in bite-sized chunks, dedicating time daily, identifying knowledge gaps, making outlines and flashcards, and practicing with released tests.

Has anyone aced an AP Exam?

Yes, many students have aced AP exams by thoroughly preparing and employing strategic study techniques. Success in AP exams is achievable with dedication and the right approach.

What are the ACE recommendations for AP exams?

The ACE recommendations for AP exams include starting prep early, consistently reviewing material, using official resources for study, organizing study materials, and regularly practicing with released tests.

Is a 75 a 5 on the AP Exam?

Scoring a 5 on an AP exam typically requires a high percentage of correct answers, but the exact score needed can vary by subject and year. It's not directly equivalent to getting 75% of questions correct, as AP exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 based on a curve.

How are college exams different from high school exams?

College exams often cover more material, require deeper understanding and application of knowledge, and may include various types of assessments compared to high school exams. They also play a significant role in your overall grade and demand higher levels of critical thinking.

What is the most important exam in high school?

The most important exam in high school can vary depending on your academic and career goals. However, standardized tests like AP, IB, and SAT/ACT are critical for college admissions and may be considered among the most significant.

What is the standardized test for college?

The standardized tests for college admissions commonly include the SAT and ACT. These exams assess students' readiness for college-level work and are used by many colleges and universities as part of the admissions process.

Are college entrance exams necessary?

College entrance exams like the SAT and ACT are necessary for most college admissions in the U.S. However, some colleges have adopted test-optional policies, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it not mandatory for all applicants.

Study Smarter, Not Harder: Acing the AP and IB Exams

Test PreparationPostsecondary Success

Sep 20

Written By Lynne Fuller

By Lynne Fuller, Founder of College Flight Path

Students are expected to master intimidating volumes of material and demonstrate critical thinking under pressure. The preparation for exams like the AP or IB can seem like an insurmountable task, but with the right approach, your student can not only survive but also excel. As they gear up for the academic challenges that lie ahead, remember, it is not just about the hard work; it is about their long-term effort that pays off.

1. It’s Never Too Early to Start Prepping for Exams

The first secret to success is time. Starting early gives your student the advantage of natural memory retention. It allows concepts to sink in, so when it comes down to the wire, they are not just memorizing, they are recalling. But this doesn't mean they have to spend every waking hour with their noses in a book. Simply reviewing topics periodically, even for just 15 minutes a day, can yield surprisingly effective results. There is a rule for improving longer-term memory retention, which is to see something three to five times over three to five days.

2. AP Exam Study Plan + AP Exam Timeline

Use this AP exam timeline if your test is about 6 weeks away.

Weeks 6–4: Learn + lock basics. Study 30–45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Do active recall techniques (close notes, answer from memory), then check. Use spaced repetition studying (review the same idea again 2–3 days later).
Weeks 3–2: Shift to AP practice questions. Aim for short sets every session. Track misses by topic (not by chapter).
Week 1: Do 1–2 AP mock exams in timed blocks. Fix your top 3 weak areas only.
Last 48 hours: Light review, early bedtime, and quick confidence reps (easy wins).

This plan also lowers cognitive load because you stop “re-reading” and start proving what you know.

3. Use Official Preparatory Sources

To build a solid understanding, have your student lean on official study materials. For AP students, the College Board is the holy grail, providing exam blueprints, questions, and sample answers. Those pursuing the IB diploma should bookmark the IB Subject Guides as their starting point. These resources are gold, directly aligned with the content you'll be tested on. Encourage students to use these materials to support their studies:

It is worth purchasing or viewing other guides online to help synthesize the content:

3. IB Exam Study Plan + IB Exam Timeline

Start by listing what is assessed in your course: papers (final exams) plus any internal assessment tasks your teacher grades and IB moderates.

Use this IB exam timeline as a clean starting point:

Weeks 8–5: Build one-page summaries per unit, then do quick self-tests from memory to improve learning retention.
Weeks 4–3: Add IB practice questions by paper (Paper 1 vs Paper 2 style), so you learn the format fast.
Weeks 2–1: Do 1 IB mock exam per subject in timed conditions. Focus on command terms, structure, and earning marks quickly.

4. Organize Notes and Materials

A cluttered study space can lead to a cluttered mind. Suggest that your student organize their notes and materials in a manner that makes sense to them. Color coding, mind mapping, or using apps like Evernote or OneNote can help structure their study resources. When they need to locate a particular piece of information quickly, they won't waste precious time sifting through piles of disarray.

5. Study in Bite-Sized Chunks

Studying for students should be like eating a meal - more enjoyable and digestible when broken into smaller parts. In other words, students should aim to understand a single concept or unit at a time. Not only is it more manageable, but the process of breaking down larger tasks can also make studying feel less overwhelming.

6. Dedicate Time Every Day

Consistency is key when it comes to exam preparation. Carving out a dedicated amount of time (30 minutes per day, 5 days per week) to study means students will be less likely to procrastinate. It can be tough when friends beckon them with distractions, but those daily sessions add up and will better prepare them in the end. Be sure they begin preparing for exam day two months in advance and do not take full practice tests until after a full month of review.

7. Unveil What is still unknown

Sometimes the biggest barriers to learning are the things we think we already know. Regular self-quizzing or topical tests can help reveal those hidden gaps in your student’s knowledge. Acknowledging what is still unknown is the first step to effective studying.

8. Make Content Outlines and Flashcards

Summarizing material in their own words through content outlines or flashcards is a study strategy that has stood the test of time. These tools are not just helpful in reviewing content but can also be great companions during daily commutes or moments of downtime.

9. Practice with Released Tests

Nothing simulates exam day like actual past test papers. Practice to use released tests as a part of the study routine to familiarize them with the exam format, the types of questions, and the time pressure. It’s like a dress rehearsal for academic performance.

10. Exam Format + Scoring + Exam-Day Strategies (AP vs IB)

Knowing the AP exam format and IB exam format reduces stress because fewer things feel “new.” Most AP exams have multiple-choice plus free-response, and your final AP exam scoring result is reported on a 1–5 scale. Most IB subjects are graded 1–7, and the Diploma total can reach 45 points (subjects plus core points).

Use these exam-day strategies to protect points you already earned in prep:

Time box each section (don’t “save time” by rushing early questions and guessing later)
Start with the easiest questions to build momentum and reduce high school test anxiety
Mark and move: if you’re stuck after 60–90 seconds, skip and return
Spend the last 3–5 minutes checking bubbles, units, and command terms
Bring a simple reset: inhale 4 seconds, exhale 6 seconds (repeat 3 times)

Now, armed with these strategies, they are equipped to approach their exams with tactical precision and confidence. Remember, academic success does not just hinge on performance but also on the process - the daily strides they make toward their goals. By studying smarter, not harder, they are not just ticking off the to-dos, but they are investing in a lifelong skill: efficient learning. Good luck, and may diligence be rightly rewarded! To learn more about tips to ace the AP and IB exams, email hello@collegeflightpath.com or book a free 15-minute call.

Lynne Fuller https://www.collegeflightpath.com