Senior John O’Keefe reviews notes and handouts to study for the AP exams. Testing started on May 7 and will end on May 16. Photo by Olivia Tritschler.
By Korrina Smith
In preparation for the upcoming AP exams, students gather to begin their studying process. Textbooks and notes are scattered across the tables as the students quiz each other on their course information.According to an article in the Sun., May 6, 2012 Richmond Times Dispatch, The Associated Press states that last school year 18 percent of high school graduates in the US have passed at least one AP exam.
“We have a great school with teachers that prepare our students for the best, and with that, I expect that we will have a higher passing rate than other schools do,” junior Caleb Johnson said.
AP students throughout the school have been working to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge needed to do well on the AP exams.
Johnson is an AP English 11 student who has been preparing for his exam both in and out of the classroom.
“We have done tons of practice that has helped me boost my confidence when it comes to writing and has prepared me for the test,” Johnson said.
Chemistry teacher Dr. Kevin Moore has been working to prepare his AP students for their exam. Moore has been giving the students one “quizzical” per week and for two weeks prior to the exam there was exam review after school for the students who wished to stay.
“This year, I have one of the best groups of students,” Moore said. “I think they are very prepared for the exam.”
AP Government students have also been participating in exam review.
“We have been doing study guides in class to help us study,” senior John O’Keefe said.
AP US History students have been working towards the AP exam for the entire year.
“We’ve done hours upon hours of textbook work-too much,” junior Shelton Hamilton said.
After all of the preparation for AP exams, some students still may feel unprepared.
“No one is ever ready,” Hamilton said. “You just have to deal with it.”
Busola Olanrewaju • Jun 5, 2012 at 6:43 am
I did not have the opportunity to take an AP exam throughout my high school years. I honestly don’t think I would be able to handle all the stress that goes into studying for the exam. For the students who can kudos to them. The whole idea of AP exams though I think is great. It prepares and also gives students a head start of college.
Faven Butler • May 28, 2012 at 8:41 pm
This year was the first year I ever had to take an AP exam. I can honestly say it stressed me out to my roots. It would be so disappointing to have to pay so much money for a test, fail it, and not get the college credits for a class you took all year. Thankfully, my teacher did a good job of preparing us all for exactly what was on the test. Nothing surprised me and through it all, I know I did my best.
Bradley Cooper • May 27, 2012 at 6:33 pm
The transition from high school to college is considered one of the toughest steps in life. Prince George High School’s availability of rigorous classes allows any gifted student to be able to lighten the intensity of that transition. An excellent AP test score can grant college credit at most colleges, and some students start college as sophomores with an abundance of high AP test scores.
Sarah Beth Howard • May 26, 2012 at 1:26 pm
It is never too early to prepare for the difficulties of college. AP is the introduction to how hard a college class can get. In this way, I feel that the test is only the beginning of all of the challenges that will be presented to us throughout our last years in high school and college. Even though the tests determine our college credits that we can get, they ultimately introduce us to different styles that are presented in schools. PGHS has a great team to prepare all of the students, and it is through this that students have the confidence to do well and the knowledge to review correctly for such a stressful time.
John Shumar • May 23, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Prince George High School has some of the best AP programs a school can offer. Although this means the work load is larger, I know that my fellow classmates and I entered our exams knowing we were going to do well because of our preparation. I’ve heard of other school’s whose AP classes are not as challenging, and although this sounds awesome, they are being cheated. I am glad that Prince George’s AP classes prepare its students for college and success in the final exam.
Rachel Pugh • May 23, 2012 at 5:48 pm
I am very thankful that PGHS has such a good AP program—I feel like we are ahead of other schools in the area as far as preparedness and thoroughness goes. I’ve heard through friends that AP isn’t a big deal and most kids don’t expect to pass their exams at other schools. Although some see it as unfair that our AP courses are really challenging, they prepare us the most for college and help us to get the most out of our time in high school.
Matthew Schneck • May 23, 2012 at 5:24 pm
The AP exam period is one of the most stressful times of year for both the teachers and students. The opportunity offered by Prince George to partake in these college level courses better prepares us for what life is to be like in the real world. This article will hopefully encourage more students to take the opportunity to challenge themselves with AP classes.
Stephen Brockwell • May 23, 2012 at 1:10 pm
As a student who has taken an AP exam, I think I speak for all my classmates when I say that it is a stressful experience. Preparation for the test (studying and practice) is rather exhausting, and the exam itself is nerve-wracking. However, the overall experience is worthwhile, and being ready for the test is highly beneficial when you finally have to take it.
Megan Jonson • May 21, 2012 at 1:50 pm
I, among many others, had to take an AP exam this year. I think AP classes are good for high school students to take in order to know what it will be like in the future at college. However, it is still extremely stressful to think that one test could make all of your hard work for an entire year mean nothing. I think it is good that the paper covers things like this that go on around the school. The only thing I would have liked to see more of was an explanation of what AP classes are and what the tests are like in more detail because I do not think that everyone fully understands what they are.
Kris Harrison • May 15, 2012 at 8:41 am
AP classes are a very good thing in high school because they give students a challenge that they have not gotten in other classes.