7 Ways to Ensure Students Are AP® Test-Ready: Reap Exam Completion Benefits

Ensure They Feel Prepared

First, students tend to only attempt something if they feel they can be successful at it. To cultivate the feelings of being prepared, students need to see that they are mastering the material and progressing.

This can be done through a series of frequent, formative assessments and culminating summative assessments. As students master the material, they will feel more prepared and confident that they can pass the exam. That emotion helps students give the test their best effort.

Foster a Culture of Growth

Second, students should see the test as another learning milestone opportunity, not simply a pass/fail moment. While every student and teacher wants each exam taken to receive a passing score so that students earn college credit, students who simply take the exam and earn a score of 1 or 2, or average a score of 1 or 2 across their AP exams in high school, have better college outcomes than academically similar college students who did not take an AP course and exam.¹

It is good practice to encourage students to remember that the AP exam is designed to better prepare students for college, not simply to deliver credit.

Explain What They Get Out of the Experience

Teaching all students in AP courses the benefits beyond earning college credit is paramount. The No. 1 benefit for students is gaining a strong study skill set.

In AP courses, students must master complex concepts by interacting with the material in multiple ways — reading, annotating, memorizing, reviewing, applying, and synthesizing. These skills lead to greater college success, which is why AP students stand out more to the universities to which they are applying.²

While teachers can help promote test engagement, it truly must be a school-wide effort. In addition to educators preparing students, there are 4 actionable ways administrators and academic leaders can help maximize AP exam participation and completion with students.

Provide Clear, Consistent Communication and Expectations

Academic leaders and administrators, including principals and assistant principals, can send a strong message about the value of taking the AP exam through video announcements, emails, social media posts, and/or electronic newsletters.

Emphasize the benefits of sitting for exams — from earning college credit to developing readiness skills and confidence — and clear up misconceptions, such as the fear that a low score will affect college admissions.

Celebrate Student Commitment and Success

Commend student accomplishments and emphasize the importance of sitting for exams by honoring participating students at award ceremonies.

Create a culture of celebration by displaying the test-takers’ names on a “Wall of Success” or the school website, signaling to all students that attempting these exams is a significant accomplishment.

Remove Barriers to Participation

School leaders can use Title I funds, state aid, or community partnerships to provide financial support for low-income students’ exams.

Also, consider streamlining administrative details — such as registration and fee waivers — and creating a comfortable, well-equipped testing space that minimizes distractions and allows students to perform their best.

Support Teachers’ Efforts to Prepare Students

Principals and AP coordinators can allocate resources for review sessions or Saturday “boot camp” workshops, and provide release time or small stipends for AP teachers to run additional reviews.

Plus, consider showcasing strategies that boost participation and readiness by sharing best practices across the school.

As administrators and teachers remove more barriers for students who want to take the AP exam, it will take assistance from everyone to help students remove the final barrier — themselves. Students must be their own advocates and learn to believe in their transformative potential in their educational journey.