As May arrives, so does one of the most challenging times of the school year: AP exam season. This year’s Advanced Placement exams will take place from May 4-15, 2026.
AP exams are important because they offer students the opportunity to earn college credit and demonstrate what they have learned throughout the year. With that opportunity, however, comes pressure. Many students juggle multiple AP classes at once, making it difficult to balance.
One of the best ways to prepare is to start early and create a realistic study plan. Students can break review into smaller sections over several weeks and focus on one subject at a time, making it more manageable to review consistently.
Senior Zakk Fuentabella, who is currently taking four AP classes, including AP Music Theory, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB, and AP Literature & Composition, shared how he prepares for his exams: “I just review two AP’s for one-two hours each every day. With AP Lit I am just reviewing notes for all the novels we have read. For AP music theory I use practice problems in the book.”
Technology can also become a valuable study tool. With Artificial Intelligence becoming more advanced, students can personalize this technology for study help. Students can use AI to explain concepts topic by topic and general additional practice questions.
Practice is another key part of success. Taking timed multiple-choice practice and answering free-response questions can help students become familiar with the format of the exam. Knowing how questions are structured improves time management on test day.
Equally important is taking care of yourself during the process. Sleep, healthy meals, and breaks all play a major role in concentration and memory. Studying for hours without rest can be less effective than shorter, focused sessions with time to recharge.
When asked whether AP scores still matter as a senior, Fuentabella offered his perspective: “If your college does not take the credit for whatever credit, your score does not matter and is therefore not important. If they take credit for that test then yes it is still important so you do not have to retake the class in college.”
As AP exams approach, Bellarmine students are reminded that success looks different for everyone. Whether your goal is earning college credit, challenging yourself academically, or simply just finishing off strong, with hard work and steady preparation, you can take on the challenge.
