College Admissions Counseling and Test Preparation - How I Aced 22 AP Exams (and How You Can Too)

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

Guide to AP exam success based on a student’s experience with 22 AP tests. Organizes recommendations by subject clusters—Math and Science, Humanities, and History/Social Sciences—and lists best preparation books for each course. Provides practical, course-specific tips on study strategies such as memorization, immersion for language exams, using past free-response questions, pacing for last-minute review, and choosing safer options when self-studying.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Math and Science

Biology

Calculus AB and BC

Chemistry

Computer Science A

Environmental Science

Physics B; Physics C: Mechanics; Physics C: Electricity/Magnetism

Statistics

Humanities

English Language and English Literature

French Language

German Language

Spanish Language

Music Theory

History and Social Sciences

European History

Macroeconomics and Microeconomics

Psychology

US Government and Politics

US History

World History

College Admissions Counseling and Test Preparation How I Aced 22 AP Exams (and How You Can Too) Secrets of AP testing from the AP State Scholar of Texas by Joseph Allencherril I have grouped the 22 AP tests I took into three categories: Math and Science, Humanities, and History / Social Sciences. Here is the list of my recommended books. Math and Science Biology Best Prep Book(s): CliffsAP Biology Tips: Memorize CliffsAP Biology = Automatic 5 on the AP exam.‘Nuff said. Don’t be scared by the material. Calculus AB and BC Best Prep Book(s): Peterson’s Tips: The AP Calculus test actually has one of the most generous curves ofall the AP tests, so a 4 or 5 is not that difficult to achieve. Nonetheless, it might also be one of the most important AP courses for those considering a career in medicine, as the majority of medical schools will accept AP Calculus as a substitute for two semesters of calculus in college. Chemistry Best Prep Book(s): Princeton Review Tips: Princeton Review is far and away the best prep book for AP Chemistry. Don’t be discouraged by the practice exams though – they are much more difficult than the real thing, but are quite didactic (there’s an SAT word for you) . Computer Science A Best Prep Book(s): Barron’s, 5 Steps to a 5 Tips: This is one of the more difficult classes to self-study for – unless you’re already a programmer. Environmental Science Best Prep Book(s): SmartyPants Tips: Just read this guide, and you’ll be set. It’s really all you need for a 5. That, and maybe arecollection of a little bit of middle school earth science. Physics B, Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity/Magnetism Best Prep Book(s): Princeton Review Tips: The Princeton Review covers all the concepts and presents you with problems that are more difficult than the real thing. If you go through this book and do enough of the free response questions from past years (which are available for free on the College Board’s website), you are well on your way to a 5. Statistics Best Prep Book(s): REA, Princeton Review Tips: REA might be a little too much for last minute review, but the Princeton Review might be just right for the student who paid attention in class but needs a quick refresher before the APtest. That being said, Barron’s is a safer bet for those who choose to self-study. It’s always better to be over prepared than to be underprepared. Humanities English Language and English Literature Best Prep Book(s): CliffsAP Tips: Practicing for AP English will also prepare you for the reading sections of the SAT and ACT. Think ofit as killing three birds with one stone. The Literature exam is heavier on the literary terms than the Language exam. French Language Best Prep Book(s): Barron’s Tips: Like with all language exams, you need to do your best to immerse yourself (see Spanish language tips below) . German Language Best Prep Book(s): Barron’s Tips: Like with all language exams, you need to do your best to immerse yourself (see Spanish language tips below) . Spanish Language Best Prep Book(s): Barron’s Tips: Barron’s has a great grammar review. Be sure to do practice exams, or you may be caught unawares by the real thing. Watch Spanish television and listen to Spanish radio. Full immersion is what you need to succeed with this, and pretty much all AP language exams. Music Theory Unfortunately, there are really no good prep books for this course. Your best bet is to look at past exams for this one – and hope that you have a good teacher. History and Social Sciences European History Best Prep Book(s): Modern European History by Schaum’s Tips: There is a little overlap between this exam and the World History exam, so it’s easier to take this exam after World History. The format of the test is essentially the same as that of US History and World History. Macroeconomics and Microeconomics Best Prep Book(s): Princeton Review Tips: There

FAQs

How are the recommended AP subjects organized in the guide?

The guide groups the 22 AP tests into three categories: Math and Science, Humanities, and History/Social Sciences. Each course then has suggested prep books and targeted tips.

What study approach does the guide recommend for AP language exams?

It emphasizes immersion. For example, Spanish tips include watching television, listening to radio, and practicing grammar with the recommended book before taking practice exams.

Why does the guide suggest using past free-response questions?

For subjects like Physics B/Physics C, it recommends going through a prep book and doing enough free-response questions from previous years. The goal is to be well prepared for the actual exam format and question style.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Noah