Flashcards For AP Exams: Full Preparation Guide

Your AP exam is on the way and you are a bit nervous? Whether the test is in three months or a week, we collected the best advice on how to ace it using flashcards.

If you are new to the topic, it is worth clarifying what we are talking about. The AP (Advanced Placement) exam is a standardized test administered by the College Board in the United States. They are passed by students every May and usually young people study the course the whole year before passing the AP as a final assessment test. AP exams are used to check the knowledge of 30 subjects including STEM fields (Сalculus, Biology, and Physics) and (English Literature, History, and Foreign Languages).

So, basically, you have one year to prepare for the AP exam prep. But let’s be realistic, it does not mean that you actually study for the exam the whole time. You can attend classes and do all the assignments, but exam preparation is a slightly different thing. 

General Tips for Studying for AP Exams

✔️ Learn about the format 

Studying history is not the same as studying for AP exams in history. AP exams typically have multiple-choice questions and free-response sections (essays, short answers, or problems). 

The College Board website published the Course and Exam Description (CED) for each course. Take the time to read about your exam format and understand better how to study for AP tests. 

✔️ Think, how much time you need to prepare  

We hope that you don’t read this article one day before the exam (if so, we believe in you anyway). Typically it takes months to review one year of materials without a rush and finalise AP exams prep. But it also depends on your personal habits and other factors, like how many exams you have this exam session and do you have other obligations. 

✔️ Create a plan 

Use the exam description from the College Board website as a guide how to study for AP tests. Each course and exam description consists of several units. This will help you to create a study schedule. 

The easiest way to do it is to split the number of units in the CED by the number of weeks you have to study. But also make sure you have additional time to go into topics you have trouble understanding (maybe you need some additional assistance for it?). 

✔️ Use AP-Specific study materials

More likely, your professors already provided you with special textbooks and guidelines designed especially to help you pass the exam. Make sure to use them, it is the fastest way to how to study for AP tests

✔️ Practice writing for free-response sections

Some of the AP exams have free writing parts — essays or problem-solving tasks. 

Practice writing responses within the time limits for exams like English or History. Focus on structuring essays with a clear thesis and supporting evidence. For problem-solving exams (like Math or Physics), solve several free-response questions to get comfortable with the format and time pressure. For these questions, you may need the help of a teacher who will check your answers, and give you feedback and advice. 

✔️ Set aside some time to practice the exam test format 

Practice passing the AP exam test in a real-time environment: set a timer and start answering questions. Don’t use any materials, textbooks or google. Check what you really know, what may be missing, where the questions are confusing and you need to understand them better. After you finish, check your answers and think about what you need to improve.

How Can Flashcards Help Me? 

When you have studied all the materials from your professors and additional books, time to organize this information in a format that actually can be learned. 

Depending on the topic you study, the approach to preparation for the AP exam might be different. But definitely, flashcards are the best in preparation for language exams and exams where you need to memorize a lot of information — read, almost all. 

 It is time to use flashcards and spaced repetition method. 

How to do it? 

1. Create flashcard deck 

Making flashcards is also a form of learning. Organise information in the form that is most comfortable for you. But don’t forget the key idea: flashcards should be short and clear to understand. 

Some tips on what to add to flashcards for different subjects preparation: 

• Math: formulas, key principles, and problem-solving steps.
• Languages: vocabulary, verb conjugations, and grammar rules.
• Sciences: definitions, processes, and diagrams (like the steps of mitosis or the parts of a cell).
• History: dates, key events, and historical figures.

2. Use visuals 

For subjects of AP exams that require visualization, like biology or geography, add small images or diagrams on the back of the flashcards. It will help you memorize and crate longer with memory retention.

3. Pay more attention to topics you find harder 

Create separate decks for concepts you find hard in your AP exams and review them more often. This ensures you spend more time on your weaker areas and finally catch the topic. Don’t ignore the problem if you feel something is not completely clear. 

4. Review frequently

Flashcards are most effective for AP exams prep when reviewed consistently. Use the spaced repetition method, which means reviewing your cards at increasing intervals. Anki Pro automates this process for you and shows cards you already learned less often and those, which you still need to memorize, more often. 

5. Practise daily 

As we already discussed, daily and regular practice is very important for passing AP exams. Set aside time for flashcards reviewing daily, and make it a routine task. 

6. Practice in small batches 

But do not try to learn the whole deck in one day and start the other next day. Spent approximately 25 minutes daily learning one deck. Do the same next day. It will help you with AP exams prep. 

7. Use active recall 

AP exams test your memory strength, so while preparing for it you need to give your memory quite a training. One of the ways is using active recall — don’t flip the card right away. Think, formulate the answer, and pronounce it out loud. Only then check it on the other side of the card. 

8. Use multiple senses 

Another way to practice active recall during AP exams prep is to answer questions in different ways: write down solutions for math or physique exercises, and say out loud answers for other subjects. Different ways of answering ensure you use visual, muscle, and auditory memory. 

How to Study With Flashcards In a Group 

As you studied the course for a year you probably have a couple of classmates with whom you can organise AP exams prep group. You can help each other to study (exams are the best team-building activity)

1. Quiz each other

Use your digital decks to ask each other AP exam questions. This is how you practice active recall – working in a group or pairs will force you to formulate an answer and pronounce it out loud. 

2. Collaborate on difficult topics 

If one of the topics is unclear for most people in the group, you can divide the questions and work on them together: divide flashcards to make, and collect information on the topics connected to AP exams. 

3. Teach each other 

One person takes a flashcard, answers it, and then explains the answer to the group. Teaching is an effective way to solidify understanding and will help all of you to understand the material deeper. 

4. Discuss! 

After one person answers the question, discuss the topic: ask each other questions, go deeper into the meaning, and connect topics to each other. It not only will 

5. Collaborate in problem-solving

For subjects like math or physics, work together on problem-solving tasks based on the content of the flashcards. 

6. Support each other and be empathetic 

Work as a team: avoid giving nonconstructive feedback, distribute tasks fairly, and support each other during AP test prep. Remind your friends to rest in time: take a break together and go for a coffee to freshen your mind.

If You Have Multiple AP Exams 

Often students pass several AP exams in one exam session. If it is your case, you must simultaneously prepare for them. It would be harder, but manageable if you follow some tips. 

✔️ Start preparation as early as possible 

But at the same time remember that how you study is more important than how long you study. Use all the tips we discussed above in your AP test prep and you will be successful. 

✔️ Have at least 1 or 2 days free from studies each week 

✔️ Don’t mix topics: make big breaks between studying different courses. 

For example, one day study for AP exam in history, next day for literature. This method will help you focus better on a single subject and increase retention. 

So you now know everything about AP exam preparation.

Get a good rest before the test day and best of luck!