(May 5, 2003) — As the end of the year approaches, so does the dread of having to take AP tests. Students work hard all year to prepare for the tests in May. What exactly are they doing and what are teachers doing to help them? Study groups, practice guides, and in-class reviews are some of the activities that help students practice for the test. To help stressed out students get a grip on the tremendous amount of material, U.S. History teacher Ira West held review days on two weekends. “We take practice tests and go over factual information and timelines,” said West. He gave his students an AP U.S. History Guide Book with more than 600 pages of condensed history material which contains a multiple choice practice test and essay questions. Similarly, AP Statistics teacher Charles DeVore uses material out of the Barron’s AP Statistics book to help his students cram for the big test. He also gives students previous or simulated AP tests to study. Gerald Gruss, who teaches AP Physics, models the curriculum for his classes around the content of the AP Physics exam. “I provide them with some practice questions and give them an opportunity to do a full practice AP test with multiple choice questions and a written essay,” said Gruss. He will also take some class time to review those questions and will hold some lunch study sessions for further preparation. AP English teacher Stephanie Sajjadieh approaches the subject a little differently. Instead of structuring her class around the test, she incorporates some of the test material into the class. In other words, the curriculum is not a reflection of the test. “I give out packets with information that will be useful on the test, assign in class timed writing, and try to structure the assignments in a way that will help prepare my students for the AP test,” said Sajjadieh. “The most important thing is to pace yourself and figure out your time limit for each section in advance.” AP students spend eight months both in class and on their own reviewing material and preparing themselves for the exams. After countless reviews, study groups, and practice guides, it all comes down to them and their number two pencils.