Queenie Wang
AP prep has spread across the EF campus.
Every May, students at EF take the annual Advanced Placement (AP) exams, which will be held on our campus using laptops. Students can choose which subjects they would like to take and prepare according to their future college plans. A strong score on the AP exams can enhance college applications and can even earn students college credit.
The 2025 AP Exams will be administered over two weeks in May: May 5–9 and May 12–16. The College Board offers 38 subjects across six major categories of examination subjects: Arts, English, History and Social Sciences, Math and Computer Science, Sciences, and World Languages and Cultures.
Students at EF Academy are currently feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness as they face the upcoming exams.
According to Han, an 11th grader, who is taking two AP exams this year —AP Biology and AP Art—preparation began well in advance. “I started studying last year,” Han said, noting that getting a head start has been helpful. To prepare, Han has utilized both textbooks and classroom learning. “The AP subject books and taking the class really help me understand the material,” Han explained. A regular study routine has also made a big difference. “After finishing today’s lessons, I’ll review the relevant material, go over what the teacher taught, and then do some exercises to reinforce it,” Han said. Still, not everything comes easily. “The only problem is that biology requires a lot of specialized academic terms, which is one of my biggest challenges.” Despite the difficulty, Han is determined to push through the effort and perform well on the exams.
Felix, an 11th grader, is taking three AP exams this year: AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, and AP Chinese. When we asked about his preparation, he said, “I didn’t really prepare for it—just followed the flow.” Instead of relying on textbooks or doing extensive reviews, Felix opted for online lessons, which he found effective in staying on track with the material. His approach reflects a more relaxed mindset toward the exams.
Terresa, also an 11th grader, is taking three AP exams: AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, and AP Chinese. “I started preparing during spring break,” she said. Her main study resource has been AP Classroom. When asked about her reviewing strategies, Teresa admitted, “I don’t really have any specific skills for reviewing.”
This year, EF Academy is administering over 300 AP exams across 22 subjects. In preparation for this major event, the school has made several logistical changes, including shifting classroom locations, prepping school computers for digital exams, and adjusting staff schedules for proctoring. “We’ve had to rearrange a lot to make space for testing,” said Ms. Liem. “That includes preparing devices for digital exams and coordinating with teachers and staff to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
In addition, AP teachers are supporting students by offering practice exams through AP Classroom and hosting review sessions. All AP exams will be held on the top floor of Strong Hall. A total of 135 students have registered for AP exams this year. The entire school community is working together to ensure a smooth and successful testing experience for all students.