Guides for Acing Your AP Exams

AP (Advanced Placement) tests can be some of the most challenging exams you will have to tackle as a high school student. Fortunately, CollegeVine has free guides for a wide range of AP subjects and tests, as well as services to help you prepare for your AP exams. Check out the links below for advice and tips on how to ace them. If you’re have trouble deciding which exams to take, be sure to check out How to Choose Which AP Courses and Exams to Take as well.

AP Capstone

An Introduction to the AP Capstone Diploma

The AP Capstone program is essentially a College Board program that, through a series of two year-long classes, equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. Learn more about the program in An Introduction to the AP Capstone Diploma.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Seminar Course and Exam

One of the newest AP courses, the AP Seminar course is the first of two classes required for the AP Capstone™ Diploma. During this course, you will practice collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and student-led investigation. Find out more about the course and material from CollegeVine’s Ultimate Guide to the AP Seminar Course and Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Research Course and Assessment

Learn about the second course required for AP Capstone™ Diploma in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Research Course and Assessment.

How to Choose a Project for Your AP Research Course

One difference between the Capstone courses and other APs is that you will be required to undertake a project as part of the exam for the second course in this program. Learn about how to go about the process in How to Choose a Project for Your AP Research Course.

Arts

Ultimate Guide to the Art History AP Exam

The Art History AP course teaches students the nature of art, its uses, meanings, and production, and societal responses to art throughout history. Along with the other AP History exams, Art History was revised recently, so check out our Ultimate Guide to Art History AP Exam for the most current advice on how to study for it.

Ultimate Guide to the Music Theory AP Exam

In the Music Theory AP course, students learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a musical score. Learn how to study for the exam in the Ultimate Guide to the Music Theory AP Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Studio Arts Portfolio

The AP Studio Arts courses are designed to engage students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. Instead of taking an exam, you will submit a portfolio. Find out what the graders look for in your portfolio and how to best highlight your talent in our Ultimate Guide to the AP Studio Arts Portfolio.

English

Ultimate Guide to the English Literature and Composition AP Exam

One of the most popular APs, English Literature and Composition engages students in careful reading and critical analysis of fictional literature. Check out our Ultimate Guide to the English Literature and Composition AP Exam for more information.

Ultimate Guide to the English Language and Composition AP Exam

The Language and Composition course differs from the Literature and Composition course in that is based primarily on the study of rhetoric. Learn more about the exam in our Ultimate Guide to the English Language and Composition AP Exam.

History & Social Science

Ultimate Guide to World History AP Exam

The World History exam and curriculum were recently redesigned. Check our Ultimate Guide to World History AP Exam for updated information on how to study for this test.

Ultimate Guide to the US History AP Exam

Like the World History AP, US History was also redesigned in the past couple years. If you are preparing to take this exam, you’ll want to read our Ultimate Guide to the US History AP Exam.

Ultimate Guide to European History AP Exam

In 2015, the European History AP course was redesigned. Though the course content remains largely the same, it is now more focused towards clear learning objectives for the exam. Our Ultimate Guide to European History AP Exam has all the information you’ll need on how to study for the latest iteration of the test.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Psychology Exam

Because psychology is a rapidly changing field, students should ensure that they prepare for the test with the most current materials available. Find advice for studying the current course material in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Psychology Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the Comparative Government and Politics Exam

The Comparative Government and Politics exam focuses on governments in six countries. Learn how to best study for the exam in CollegeVine’s Ultimate Guide to the Comparative Government and Politics Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Microeconomics AP Exam.

The Microeconomics AP exam measures your knowledge of the nature and function of product markets, and factor markets. Learn more about the course and exam in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Microeconomics AP Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the Macroeconomics AP Exam

The Macroeconomics AP exam measures your knowledge of macroeconomics principles. These include your economic content knowledge and ability to reason within the discipline. Learn more in our Ultimate Guide to the Macroeconomics AP Exam.

Math & Computer Science

Ultimate Guide to the AP Calculus AB Exam

The AP Calculus AB course focuses on the unifying themes of calculus, including derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, and applications and modeling, all the while providing general experience with appropriate methods and applications. The exam covers less material than the Calculus BC exam, but still requires extensive knowledge and preparation. Check out our Ultimate Guide to the AP Calculus AB Exam to learn more.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Calculus BC Exam

One of the most challenging AP courses, the AP Calculus BC course focuses on the unifying themes of calculus, but requires a more advanced knowledge of the material for a high score. Find advice for preparing for the exam in our Ultimate Guide to the AP Calculus BC Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Statistics Exam

Statistics is one of the most popular AP courses, probably because statistics is useful and applicable to a wide range of disciplines. Find out study tips and other information in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Statistics Exam.

The Ultimate Guide to the AP Computer Science A Exam

The AP Computer Science A course explores problem solving, hardware, algorithms, and the ways in which people utilize computers effectively to address real-world problems. The Ultimate Guide to the AP Computer Science A Exam will give you plenty advice and studying tips.

An Introduction to the New Computer Science Principles Course

A new AP course, Computer Science Principles develops computational thinking skills in the context of creative problem solving. Learn more about the course in An Introduction to the New Computer Science Principles Course.

The Ultimate Guide to the New Computer Science Principles Course Exam & Performance Tasks

Find advice for studying the material for this new course in The Ultimate Guide to the New Computer Science Principles Course Exam & Performance Tasks.

Sciences

Ultimate Guide to the Environmental Science AP Exam

Environmental science is the study of the scientific principles, content, and methodologies necessary for understanding the natural world. Check out the Ultimate Guide to the Environmental Science AP Exam for tips on how to ace it.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics 1 Exam

In 2014, Physics B was divided into two exams: Physics 1 and Physics 2. The Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics 1 Exam provides information on how to study for the first test.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics 2 Exam

The AP Physics 2 exam covers the equivalent of a second-semester introductory college course. Check out the Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics 2 Exam to learn how to ace this second Physics B test.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Exam

Like AP Physics B, Physics C is divided into two courses and exams as well. The AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism class covers electrostatics, conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism while using differential and integral calculus throughout the course. Learn how to study for this exam in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam

The AP Physics C: Mechanics class covers kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, systems of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, oscillations and gravitation, and work, energy and power while using differential and integral calculus throughout the course. Learn how to study for the second AP Physics C exam in our Ultimate Guide to the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the Chemistry AP Exam

The Chemistry AP course focuses on developing your advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for data collection, analysis of data, application of mathematical routines, and building connections between concepts across domains. Learn more from our Ultimate Guide to the Chemistry AP Exam.

World Languages & Cultures

Ultimate Guide to the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

The curriculum for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam emphasizes communication by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. Find out the best studying tips for this exam from the Ultimate Guide to the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Spanish Literature and Culture Exam

Due to the popularity of Spanish courses, College Board offers a second Spanish exam, which looks at short stories, novels, poetry, and essays written in Spanish. Learn the best ways to approach the exam in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Spanish Literature and Culture Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Latin Exam

The AP Latin course is intended to provide you and other advanced high school students with a rich and rigorous Latin curriculum, approximately equivalent to an upper-intermediate college or university Latin course. In this course, you will learn to read, understand, translate, and analyze Latin poetry and prose. Learn some studying methods for the exam in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Latin Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the Chinese Language and Culture Exam

In this course, not only will you will learn not only about the Chinese language, but you will also learn how and why Chinese culture has spread to many parts of the world, influencing and being influenced by the global community. Check out our Ultimate Guide to the Chinese Language and Culture Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP Italian Language and Culture Exam

The Italian AP course focuses on advanced Italian language skills, including vocabulary usage, language control, and communication strategies. Find advance for conquering the exam in the Ultimate Guide to the AP Italian Language and Culture Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP German Language and Culture Exam

The AP German Language and Culture course takes a holistic approach to language instruction, emphasizing functional communication skills over grammatical irregularities and particulars. Learn about the exam in the Ultimate Guide to the AP German Language and Culture Exam.

Ultimate Guide to the AP French Language and Culture Exam

The AP French Language and Culture exam aims to promote both fluency and accuracy in French language use. Check out our Ultimate Guide to the AP French Language and Culture Exam to learn more.

General

The Ultimate Guide to Self-Studying AP Exams

While APs are usually offered as a high-school course culminating in the standardized AP exam, it’s also possible for you to study for and take an AP exam on your own. Self-studying for an AP exam takes a considerable amount of work, but doing so can have major benefits for your future college applications. If you’re curious about how to go about self-studying, check out The Ultimate Guide to Self-Studying AP Exams.

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