As I sat at my desk contemplating what to write about for this week, only one thing came to mind because it has taken over me for the last few weeks. I am talking about AP tests. AP stands for advanced placement and are annual tests that happen in the month of May.

AP classes are college level classes, with the same rigor and assignments, and to test your knowledge on the subject, a test is held on a day in May. Over the year, the course is broken down into units, same as a non-AP class, except the tests and content is made to prepare you for the final test. Since they are college level classes, we are able to get dual credit for the class from specific colleges, which counts as one of your subjects from college and gives you a head start when you attend it.

These classes are comprised of a variety of subjects, ranging from college level (AP) math classes, English, history, art, science, and even music. While this is treated like a college level class, it is still a part of your high school subjects, even though you get college credit for it. When I first got to know about these kinds of classes, I was amazed and worried how I would manage to take classes that are meant for students 3 or more years older than me, but I got used to it.

There is definitely more rigor to these classes, and the curriculum is vast, but if you love what you’re learning, then you don’t mind too much. For example, I’m taking the AP’s Environmental science and computer science. These AP tests are similar to board exams in India, which happen in 10th and 12th grade. AP exams have the same importance, and are important for college, but they range for all years of your high school, from grade 9 to 12.

Now, just as May progresses in our lives, the looming nature of the AP tests bloom in high school students, along with the beautiful tulips and roses. My tests are now in just a few days, and I’m nervous as well as trying to be prepared. Depending on the subject, the test will have mcq’s (multiple choice questions) and might also have frq’s (free response questions). Both of my tests are comprised of both frq’s as well as mcq’s. I will have two hours to complete the multiple choice sections and an hour to do the free response.

Ever since spring break in late April, I have been studying for the tests, ranging from writing and re reading study guides, and the three most important things. Practice, practice and more practice. While all of us high school students have been submerged in studying, the days have gotten sunnier and the sun’s staying out for longer. It’s a beautiful progression from spring to summer, similar to the academic weapons that we’ve been instilling in ourselves as AP season approaches.

The test is graded based on a scale of 1-5. Getting a 5 on the AP test means that you have gotten deep understanding about the topic, and is the aim for everyone taking the test. Getting a 3 or above means a passing grade, and gets you the dual credit you need for college. When you go in the designated room to take the test, you take a sticker sheet with you which is given to you at your school to be used during the test. Each sticker on the sheet consists of a barcode which represents your name and details for the test, and the thing that you will paste onto your test paper before turning in. It gives you a boost when you finally go there a few years later and will hopefully make all of this studying worth it.

While the hard work is rigorous, challenging and even frustrating at times, it will be rewarding and worth the effort after we are finally done with our tests and are having fun with your friends. I can’t wait to get out into the sun again and feel the warmth on my face, something that I’ve missed due to having my nose in my book for a couple of months.