The transition from 3rd quarter to 4th quarter marks the shift in most AP classrooms away from content and onto preparation for the dreaded and upcoming AP Exams. Here is our advice from past AP students on how to perform well on the AP US Government and Politics Exam and the AP Spanish exam.
AP Government – Victor
I took AP Government last year, (as many IB students do) and I’m pretty sure I’m allowed to brag about the 5 I scored on the final exam. All of the work is about at the same standard as the exam, so you get a sample of the test in the class. I have to admit, the rigor of the course didn’t just help me on the exam, but let me more easily transition from the standard courses taken during my freshman and sophomore years to the high workload of the IB years.
Rather than suggest the same old “review your notecards” mantra that many upperclassmen told me, I have a slightly more holistic approach. I recommend that any AP Government student who wants to do well should find some way to link the concepts of AP Government in some way to something you care about. I’m not saying everything, but a lot of the court cases have real-world implications (if you’re struggling with those) and you can find some way to apply each amendment to some hot debate around something nowadays.
But most of all, formulate opinions and ideas based on those associations and concepts. This may take a little extra research, but engaging with critical thinking around the content genuinely will make your understanding so much better and almost guarantee a decent grade.
AP Spanish – Abby
Last year, I took AP Spanish, and honestly I struggled a lot in the first semester. Learning Spanish in an AP format is very different from just learning the language separate from the test. The curriculum and content of the course is specifically tailored to match the exam, so in order to do well you have to understand how the exam is structured–– which is not directly discussed in class. If you pay attention in class, complete your assignments, and can manage the practice work your teacher assigns you are likely to get at least a 3. However, in order to get a 4 I had to commit to outside practice, specifically centered around learning the structure of the test.
I started working with an AP certified tutor to help break down the test and build a “roadmap” for how to approach the content. With her help, I grew more comfortable with the language within and outside of the parameters of the test. While tutoring may not be the path for everyone, it’s definitely an option I really recommend. Her contact is [email protected].
I would also recommend researching the test and watching videos that explain the specifics of the exam, participating in class discussions, and watching familiar TV shows in Spanish. Personally I watched “To Hot to Handle Latino,” but any show you’ll actually like works. Anything you can do to get more comfortable with the language will help.
