If you are taking an AP course this year, chances are you signed up for the test. Advanced Placement courses can be challenging, but also immensely gratifying. Working at a college level for juniors and seniors is above the curve and something to be proud of. With that being said, AP tests are approaching quickly, and can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for students. While many tests are stressful, AP tests are not made to be passed with 100% accuracy, creating an unsure and tumultuous emotional environment.

There are several ways to deal with AP testing stress. One of which is to study. Studying is an obvious answer, however many students do not study productively. Ensure that you are absorbing the information that you are reading, and if you are lost, try a different studying tactic. Breathing practices can also help lower your stress levels to prevent a frantic tone for taking the test. Go into this with a calm mindset, if you aim to pass, you most likely will. Also, be prepared for the essay portion of the test. If writing an in class essay was not your strong suit, practice at home!

Do not stress too hard about these tests, as they won’t affect your college standing, they are created to see what information you were able to absorb over the course of the class, and to prepare you for college. If you don’t pass, the earth will keep turning, so don’t worry! If you do pass, good job, you’ve earned a few college credits!