AP testing is officially in full swing starting Monday, May 5, which marks the beginning of one of the most academically intense times of the school year. Across the country, May is often considered the busiest month for schools, filled with final projects, state assessments, and preparations for the end of the academic year; however, for schools in Kentucky, the pressure is even greater over the next two weeks.
Not only are students participating in the nationally administered Advanced Placement (AP) exams, which can earn them college credit, but they are also beginning the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA), a statewide test used to measure academic performance and progress. The overlap of these major assessments creates a demanding period for students, teachers, and administrators.
The AP testing schedule is as follows:
WEEK ONE
Monday, May 5th – Biology (AM), European History (PM), and Microeconomics (PM)
Tuesday, May 6th – Chemistry (AM), Human Geography (AM), and U.S. Government and Politics (PM)
Wednesday, May 7th – English Literature and Composition (AM) and Computer Science A (PM)
Thursday, May 8th – Statistics (AM) and World History: Modern (PM)
Friday, May 9th – U.S. History (AM), Macroeconomics (PM), and Art and Design Portfolios due (8 PM)
WEEK TWO
Monday, May 12th – Calculus AB (AM), Calculus BC (AM), and Seminar (PM)
Tuesday, May 13th – Precalculus (AM) and Environmental Science (PM)
Wednesday, May 14th – English Language and Composition (AM), German Language and Culture (AM), and Physics C: Mechanics (PM)
Thursday, May 15th – Art History (AM), Spanish Language and Culture (AM), and Computer Science Composition (PM)
Friday, May 16th – Spanish Literature and Culture (AM) and Psychology (PM)
All morning tests begin at 8 AM, and students are expected to report to their testing rooms by 7:40 AM. All afternoon tests begin at 12 PM, students are expected to report to their testing rooms by 11:40 AM, and attend the first lunch prior to this.
This time of year can bring loads of stress on teachers and students because of what’s at stake. To earn college credit for the class, students must pass the exam with a three or higher. The AP exams are graded on a 1-5 scale.
It is recommended that students begin studying and preparing as soon as possible because of the pressure to pass. While most teachers begin reviewing a week or two before the exam, students can begin earlier on their own. AP Classroom provides practice tests for units, topics, and more; Bluebook, the testing site used for AP testing, also provides practice tests for students to prepare.
One of the benefits of AP test preparation is that teachers offer times to take mock exams, either in or outside of class. The mock tests can give students a good idea of where they will place on the scale and help pinpoint what they need to work on between the mock and official tests.
Preparing for AP exams can be a highly stressful experience, according to students. Many shared that the most challenging aspects include the pressure to earn college credit, the constant studying, and the stress of having multiple exams. Some students pointed out that the weeks leading up to the test and the fear of forgetting important details on test day add to the overall anxiety.
To manage the stress and prepare effectively, students recommended strategies such as watching AP Classroom videos, taking practice exams from the College Board website, and focusing study time based on mock test results. Others suggested using flashcards, reviewing in short sessions, or even using study games on platforms like Roblox. While a few students admitted they don’t study or simply trust their instincts, most emphasized the importance of efficient and focused preparation.
Students who have taken AP classes have offered up some valuable advice to future students preparing for national exams. A common theme is the importance of consistent effort throughout the school year; staying focused from the beginning and listening in class helps retain information long-term.
Several students recommend building a good foundation in the first units because they tend to carry into later topics.
Effective study habits like using review books, such as Barron’s, organizing notes, and spreading out study sessions are also recommended. Maintaining a balance is also of great importance; students advise not to over-stress, to get plenty of sleep, and to remember the bigger picture behind AP exams.
Ultimately, preparation is not just about cramming at the end, but understanding material deeply and pacing wisely.
Although it’s important to hear from fellow students, it’s also important to hear from the amazing people who dedicate part of their time to teaching the subjects as well.
From the Science Department, Matt Ewald:
Ewald has been teaching for 12 years, 10 of those years have been teaching AP Biology. He holds a 75-80% average pass rate for the last decade and says the hardest part for him is pacing to get through as much as possible before the end of the year and trying to instill confidence in students.
“You get out whatever you put in,” Ewald said.
From the Math Department, Stacey Behrensmeyer:
Behrensmeyer has been teaching for 22 years, 18 of those years have been teaching AP Statistics. She holds a 75% average pass rate and says the hardest part for her is keeping her students’ interest in the topic for the entire year.
From the Social Studies Department, Michael Caldwell:
Caldwell has been teaching for 7 years, 3 of those years have been teaching AP U.S. Government and Politics. He holds a 70% average pass rate and says the hardest part for him is pacing out all the content in a short amount of time.
“Pace it out, it’s a lot of work, but if you slowly chip away at it, it makes it a lot more manageable,” Caldwell said.
Additionally, from the Social Studies Department, Nina Kearns:
Kearns has been teaching for 27 years, all 27 of those years have been teaching AP Psychology class periods. Nationally, AP Psychology holds a 60% average pass rate and says the hardest part for her is keeping on pace, as she loves to talk about topics more in-depth.
“Don’t be afraid to take the AP Challenge as it will benefit you both in knowledge and life skills,” Kearns said.
From the English Department, Angie Gintonio:
Gintonio has been teaching for 18 years, 17 of those years have been teaching AP English Language and Composition. She holds an 80% average pass rate and says the hardest part for her is grading.
“Have a commitment to learning and be an active member of the learning community,” Gintonio said.
From the Foreign Language Department, Emily Haffey:
Haffey has been teaching for 15 years, 13 of those years have been teaching AP Spanish Language and Culture. She holds an 80-95% average pass rate and says the hardest part for her is the mental load.
“Just come into it relaxed, if you come into it relaxed and you don’t care that you are speaking and writing and doing all of the things you know how to do, then it’s a breeze,” Haffey said.
