It’s that time of year again — the trees are blooming, the allergies are attacking, and the AP Exams are sneaking up faster than a pop quiz on a Friday afternoon. Whether you’re a seasoned exam warrior or this is your first AP rodeo, fear not: I’m here with tips, tricks, and a sprinkle of humor to help you conquer those exams like the academic legends you are.

Survival Guide for ALL Your AP Exams

1. Stay Committed (Yes, Even When Netflix Calls)

You’ve worked so hard all year — don’t stop now! Picture your AP score like a shiny trophy waiting at the finish line. Stay on your path, Highlander, even if your friends are sending tempting “wanna hang out?” texts. Your future self will thank you.

2. Positive Self-Talk (Mirror Pep Talks Are Encouraged)

Write yourself a note that says “I’m a genius!” and slap it on your bathroom mirror. Say it out loud every morning. Even if your sibling laughs at you, believe it. The biggest brain muscle is confidence!

3. Move Your Body (Dance Breaks = Brain Fuel)

Exercise isn’t just for the gym rats. Walking your dog, shooting hoops, or even doing the Macarena in your room counts. A few minutes of movement can boost your focus better than chugging three Red Bulls (which we do NOT recommend).

4. Sleep > All-Nighters

Repeat after me: “Sleep is studying.” Staying up all night cramming might seem heroic, but really, you’ll just turn into a caffeine-fueled zombie. Trust me, no one wants to forget their own name on the APUSH DBQ.

5. Ask for Help (It’s a Power Move)

Getting stuck happens. Smart people ask for help — whether it’s your teacher, a tutor, or that one kid in class who always has the color-coded notes. Don’t be shy. Teamwork makes the dream work.

6. Use All the Resources (And Then Some)

Did you know AP Classroom has practice sessions? Or that there are free videos where experts walk you through FRQs and MCQs? Grab those resources like they’re free pizza — they’re here to help you level up.

Quick Hacks for Test Day:

✅ Do the Easy Questions First:
No shame in skipping around. Crush the low-hanging fruit and come back to the trickier stuff.

✅ Answer Everything:
Guessing is your bestie. There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so don’t leave anything blank!

✅ Time Management = Boss Mode:
Bring a watch (silent, obviously) and pace yourself like the marathon champ you are.

✅ Plan Your Essays:
5 minutes of planning = essays that make the College Board graders say “wow.”

✅ Water + Snack = Survival Kit:
No one writes their best FRQ while hangry. Trust me, a PB&J might just save your score.

✅ Stay Positive:
If you blank on a question, DON’T PANIC. Take a deep breath, move on, and remember you are still crushing it.

Special Focus: Mastering the AP World History DBQ

Preparing for the AP World History DBQ can seem overwhelming, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can master it! Here’s your ultimate roadmap:

The DBQ Exam Basics

You’ll have:

• 15-minute reading period

• 45-minute writing period

The 2017 exam update introduced a seven-point rubric that matches other AP History exams.

Important Tip: When practicing with old materials, adjust them to fit the new rubric! (Find DBQs under “Free-Response Questions”.)

Helpful Resources:

• College Board Free-Response Questions and Scoring Guides.

• Page 166 of the College Board practice packet has a sample World History DBQ.

Finding a Trusted Advisor for Feedback

Get feedback from:

• History or English teachers

• School librarians

• Tutors

• Parents or siblings

• Older students who crushed their AP exams

Even if they aren’t history experts, they can spot if your writing is strong and logical!

Should You Prep Before Your Baseline?

YES, a little bit!
Learn the format, review a few sample DBQs (without stealing their prompts), and brush up on task words like analyze and evaluate. THEN take your first practice DBQ to see where you stand.

Step 2: Build Core Skills

Writing an Effective Thesis

Your thesis = your essay’s GPS.

Strong Thesis Checklist:

• Makes a direct claim

• Fully answers the prompt

• Hints at your arguments

Bad Thesis:
“There were many causes of the French Revolution.”

Good Thesis:
“While political and economic factors contributed to the French Revolution, it was the rise of an educated bourgeoisie that most significantly fueled revolutionary fervor.”

Outlining and Structuring Your Essay

Use a simple structure:

• Intro (context + thesis)

• Body 1 (documents + analysis)

• Body 2 (more documents + deeper analysis)

• Body 3 (optional, if time)

• Conclusion (restate thesis + broader connection)

Time Management Tips

Integrating Documents Naturally

• Use authors and titles in your writing, not just “Document A says…”

• Blend evidence smoothly into your arguments.

Final Pep Talk:

You’ve survived fire drills, spirit weeks, pop quizzes, and Chromebooks with very low battery warnings. You are READY for this.

The AP Exams are not here to defeat you — they’re your chance to show off everything you’ve learned. You are powerful. You are smart. And soon, you’ll be DONE.

So sharpen those #2 pencils, pack your best snack, and get ready to slay.

Good luck, Highlanders — you’ve got this!