Self-Studying Advanced Placement (AP) Tests

Many students take College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school, then take the corresponding AP tests in May. But what if your high school does not offer your desired AP courses? What if your high school does not offer AP courses at all? Nowadays, many high school students elect to self-study AP tests outside of high school. While self-studying shows great determination, we encourage students to clearly draw out their game plans before starting.

Diversify Your AP portfolio

AP tests provide students the opportunity to show proficiency in challenging subject material. But what APs show colleges a variety of academic skills? For example, if you focus on taking a bunch of really hard biology classes in high school, then you take the Biology SAT Subject Test (discontinued in 2021), what does that show beyond the point that you are apparently strong in biology subject matter? What would be the added benefit of taking AP Biology even if you know you are going to score an AP 5? At first blush, this may sound like a good idea because you will pad your portfolio with strong scores, but what this really shows is a lack of diverse skills! This is precisely why we encourage students to self-study APs that are outside of their comfort zones to really prove to colleges how well-rounded you are!

Plan Your Milestones

High schools offer AP courses that run for either one semester or an entire academic year. This depends on individual APs. For example, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP United States Government and Politics and AP Comparative Government and Politics are generally one semester courses. On the other hand, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Human Geography and AP Statistics are generally full academic year courses. Therefore, if you self-study APs, you must anticipate the required workload, stick to timelines and have qualified tutors provide feedback, answer questions and bounce around ideas. Even self-study students need someone to review their Section 2 free-response questions (FRQs)!

AP self-study timeline for Presidio Education® semester and full academic year AP students. Source: Presidio Education®.

AP Self-Study Timeline
Semester AP: 1st-3rd Months Full Year AP: 1st-7th Months	Self-Studying Subject Matter - Students must read and annotate credible textbooks and study guides, then learn how to analyze the why questions more than just how to summarize the AP subject material
Semester AP: 3rd-4th Months Full Year AP: 4th-8th Months	Taking Full, Timed Practice Tests - Students should not rush to start completing practice tests until a significant amount of content material has been learned
Semester AP: 3rd-4th Months Full Year AP: 4th-8th Months	Receiving Feedback from Trained Professionals - Even if students self-study most of the content material, students still need help reviewing practice tests, receiving feedback and bouncing ideas from trained professionals
Semester AP: 4th Month Full Year AP: 8th Month	Taking Corrective Action for Last Minute Problems - Students may need extra time to correct mistakes, focus on difficult content, or need extra practice time to refine skills, including time management issues
*There are two types of APs: 1) full academic year APs (take a whole year to study); and 2) semester APs (normally only taught for one semester). These times are how long high schools generally spend teaching applicable APs.

Prepare for Free-Response Questions (FRQs)

AP tests are traditionally divided into two sections: 1) Section 1 multiple-choice questions (MCQs); and 2) Section 2 free-response questions (FRQs). Even if you hold yourself to the highest level of accountability, read a plethora of textbooks and consistently score perfectly on Section 1 MCQs, there is one issue you need to anticipate: who is going to review your practice Section 2 responses? Section 2 FRQs require students to offer original written responses. College Board will closely evaluate both your analysis and grammar, which must be sound. But unlike MCQs, where you can simply read the answer key in your textbook, you will need an experienced and qualified individual to teach you how to elevate your written responses. Knowing the answers to the FRQs is not enough. College Board looks for sharp articulation with written responses and a strong command of the English language.

Do Not Underestimate Time Management

Parents and students often want perfect AP scores. We understand that students may have a lot of school work, extracurricular activities, or personal obligations that limit free time to self-study APs. However, both parents and students need to realize that wanting particular target scores does not justify reducing study time, especially when self-studying. Before deciding to self-study an AP test, parents and students need to work together to evaluate scheduling, time management, target goals and deadlines. Families must uphold reasonable and honest assessments of how much time will be, not just should be, allocated for self-studying APs. You must hold yourself to an even higher level of accountability.

The Value of Diagnostic Tests (DTs)

Self-studying AP textbooks is a great start, but not enough to get you in rhythm for the actual May AP test. This is why we strongly encourage students to complete Diagnostic Tests (DTs) to more accurately gauge progress. Timed DTs will push you to complete all AP sections under the allotted time. But what if you cannot finish on time? These results will be a great indicator that you need more practice with time management for the official AP test. Why do we encourage a healthy amount of student stress when completing these practice tests? Students must build up their stamina and fight through fatigue. DTs are also valuable sources that allow both students and parents to know if students are progressing on track, or need to take a few steps back to review previous material. Presidio Education® offers free AP Diagnostic Tests. Simply complete our online Diagnostic Test Request Form to get started!

Need that Extra Push?

We get excited when students take on challenges to self-study AP tests because that shows real motivation! For those who need guidance, feedback and that extra push, please complete our online Diagnostic Test Request Form for free AP Diagnostic Tests (DTs), or our Private Class Registration Form to get started! Good luck AP students!

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Author: RYAN YOUNG

Ryan is the Head English Teacher at Presidio Education® and specializes in English language, literature, especially poetry, and writing. While Ryan is also trained with humanities, government and sustainability subject matter, he really enjoys training students for mock trials and debate. For U.S. Test Prep, such as the SSAT, PSAT, SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement (AP) tests and GRE, Ryan focuses on the applicable English and social science sections. As a former high school English teacher in California, United States, he now primarily teaches high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Ryan completed his undergraduate work in English with a minor in history, and completed his graduate work both in English and sustainability.