Every student dreams of acing their AP and SAT/ACT tests, but what does it take to ‘beat’ the College Board? The pressure can be intense, but you can turn these challenges into successes with the right mindset and preparation strategies.
One of the most effective ways to prepare is by regularly reviewing class notes and doing practice problems. Chiara Bonomi, a senior who has successfully navigated these exams, recommends looking over your notes and tackling practice questions as you go. For the SAT, she suggests using College Board’s Bluebook practice tests, explaining, “The trick is to take a bunch of these practice tests to get a lot of exposure to different types of problems.” With repeated practice, you become familiar with the test’s structure and timing, which makes a huge difference on test day.
In addition to self-study, take advantage of the College Board’s free resources, including daily videos, Iive reviews, and practice sessions. These tools break down difficult topics and help students stay on track all year. AP Biology teacher Mrs. Lopatka integrates these resources into her course. Her approach includes practice free-response questions, labs, regular use of AP Classroom for multiple-choice practice, and a comprehensive benchmark test right before the exam. She emphasizes that “preparation happens all year,” which is key for staying confident and organized as the test approaches.
Another crucial step is knowing the test format inside and out. Understanding the structure of each exam can guide how you study. Once you know what types of questions will be asked, you can make a study plan that covers all your bases. Online courses and tutoring are also helpful if you want additional support or a more structured approach.
While preparation is essential, Mrs. Lopatka also highlights the power of a growth mindset. She advises students to “be ready to fail and fail a lot during the process, knowing that through failure, you’re only going to get stronger.” Learning from mistakes in practice tests or class work is part of the journey and builds resilience.
Acing these exams isn’t just about earning high scores—it’s about discovering the best study methods for you and building a strong foundation for success in college. By using your resources, staying organized, and keeping a positive outlook, you’ll be prepared to take on AP and SAT/ACT exams and ‘beat’ the College Board.
