In just a couple of weeks, students with Advanced Placement (AP) classes will be taking their exams. Students have been preparing for this extremely tough test since the beginning of the school year- some know how the tests go, other first-timers are finding it very tough.

The AP Program is offered in the United States and Canada offering more than 30 courses. Each class is taught by a highly qualified teacher and every AP class is different – however, all are extremely vigorous and time-consuming. In May, if you have an AP class you are required to take the AP exam that is on a 5 point scale. If you pass, you can earn credits for college depending on where you want to go. If you have more questions on AP classes and exams, click here, ask a counselor, or check-in with your teacher.

Lion Tales went around and asked different students with AP classes and how the experience has been for them.

Senior Sydney Thompson took her first AP class this year, AP GOV, so that she could earn college credits along with learn more about what a college class experience really is like. She said, “Because I have one, it is not that difficult to balance it with all of my other extra-curriculums, however you have to stay on top of your homework, reading, and studying.” She continued, “In the end, the AP experience has definitely taught me how to manage my time and find different ways of studying that help me understand the curriculum better.”

Thompson recommends AP classes to everyone because “it helps prepare one for what a college class will be like and plus you can always benefit from college credits.”

Junior Maria De La Cruz took AP US History and AP English Language Composition this year and informed that she was extremely pleased with her experience.

De La Cruz said, “I made a great choice by signing up for AP classes; although it was tough to balance the workload- junior year is always stressful- I survived and gained a lot of knowledge from the curriculum.”

“Though AP classes have taught me that hard-work counts, I have to put my time in to study in order to succeed the class and pass the exam. Something that really prepared me ahead of time for these classes was that I took accelerated and honors classes my freshman and sophomore years,” She said.

“I definitely recommend taking AP classes to all students, you learn so much,” De La Cruz concluded.

Sophomore Rona Balingit took her first AP class and is ending the year content. “The thing about AP classes is that they are much more challenging because it goes at a faster rate and are meant for college level students.”

Balingit, who took AP European History, said “I have only taken one AP class so far and already feel prepared for college classes and intend to take many more AP classes in my high school life; personally, I have prepared for the upcoming exam through a workbook and notecards that contains material in relation to the exam, I am just worried because it is my first exam.”

She added, “I recommend AP Euro in specific to upcoming Lincoln students because it is intense and really makes students challenge themselves; moreover, college classes are going to be the opposite of high school courses so if an individual chooses to prepare beforehand, they will ultimately be successful.”

Overall, most of the students who take AP classes are happy with their experience and recommend other students to take it. However, all subjects are different and some find a certain course more difficult than others. If you want to or plan to take AP classes next year, be sure to be prepared for the work load. If you are curious about a certain class, talk to the teacher that teaches it or other students who have taken the course.

When is my test?

Mon. May 5: AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology

Tue. May 6: AP Spanish Language and Culture

Wed. May 7: AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC

Thurs. May 8: AP English Literature and Composition

Fri. May 9: AP English Language and Composition, AP Studio Art

Mon. May 12: AP Biology

Tues. May 13: AP US Government and Politics

Wed. May 14: AP US History, AP European History

Thurs. May 15: AP World History

Fri. May 16: AP Spanish Literature and Culture