Stress, Scores, and Self-Discovery: A Student’s Journey Through AP Exam Season

June 11, 2025 – by Avery Oram

Each May, many high school students across the United States and 75 other countries study for their Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The AP exams are the culmination of what students have learned in college-level classes that are offered at almost every high school.  AP subjects include Calculus, Computer Science, Spanish, Literature, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, etc. 

This year, as a sophomore, I jumped on the bandwagon and took two AP courses myself – Computer Science Principles and US Government.  The government class was a lot of memorizing terms and finding the right study tools. Since this year happened to be an election year, the class discussions were indeed very fascinating and spirited. For Computer Science, I started the year with no background whatsoever in computers, but with the help of excellent teachers, I got the hang of it and even considered continuing on to AP Java.

Preparing for the Exams

Before I knew it, April rolled around and we began preparing for the AP exams, which determine whether or not students get college credit. I started studying for exams that seemed ages away.  I made notes, re-read chapters, and took practice tests.

The day of May 5th finally came around for my first AP exam ever, AP Gov.  I had never taken such a long exam before. It was even more stressful because I knew it could count for something in my future. The morning of the test, I was very nervous wishing I could have just studied a little more. My parents even wondered whether they should have signed me up for a class on how to prepare for the AP test.

Taking the Test

When I got to school, I could see everyone who was taking the AP Gov exam standing outside the auditorium entrance with their clear plastic baggie with pencils and student IDs, holding their phones and chromebooks. Everyone either looked terrified or was frantically studying and searching up anything they didn’t know. Eventually, they called us all inside to check in and get our designated testing spot.

With the AP exam, like any important exam, you sit for hours, concentrate, show what you know and try to write things that make sense. You do get some breaks for snacks and water, and to stretch your legs, but you basically have to lock in. I did it again a week later for Computer Science. Those days were a blur as I just sat in my room studying and repeatedly taking practice exams aiming for the highest score.

Reflections on the Experience

I found out afterward that everyone has a different reaction to the test and spends time reflecting on the test in different ways. Some look at TikTok to see what other students put down for answers, some sleep, and others start locking in for the next one. Luckily, when they are all done, most students get a break and go back to catching up on the work they neglected while studying for the AP tests. Scores come out in July, with a 5 being the highest and a 1 being the lowest.

After I took the AP exams, I had to wonder what these AP classes and exams really prepare us for. Do they actually prepare us for what college classes are like? Will we get to college and feel like we are prepared enough if we have taken a large amount of AP classes? What about the AP exams? Will they help us become better test takers in college? Are all college exams like the AP tests? Is it best to load up your schedule with AP classes so college courses are less of a shock?

I asked a fellow student, Bethany Korb, and she felt that “The exams are worth it. Even though it was a lot of hard work and time, it was worth it to get the college credit and to challenge myself and prepare for harder classes specifically in college”.

Was taking the AP classes and then the exams worth it in the end? Only time will tell. You can ask me in July when I see my scores.

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