Typically, if you walk into Posnack Fischer High School, you will see students working diligently on their tasks, crafting thought-provoking projects and engaging in meaningful conversations with their peers. However, if you happen to visit during the period from late April to early May, you will be confronted with an overwhelming atmosphere. Students are buzzing with stress, working hard and navigating the tasks at hand. This phenomenon is a result of “AP season,” a time during the year when students focus on studying for their AP exams. AP courses, or Advanced Placement courses, are college-level classes regulated by the College Board. Students take these classes year-round and then undergo a final exam in May to recap what they have learned. These AP students receive scores ranging from 1-5, with 5 being the highest possible, 3 being passing and 1 being the lowest possible. For many students, these exams are a culmination of their hard work and learning throughout the year.
In 2026, all AP exams are scheduled from May 4-15, a condensed timeframe that often requires students to prepare for multiple subjects simultaneously. Students often have exams back-to-back, and the rush to review a year’s worth of material has led to anxiety for many. While most high schools allow students to take any number of AP classes, Posnack places restrictions on the number of courses students can take each year. Freshmen are only allowed to take one, while sophomores take two and juniors and seniors take up to five each. This structure, which was recently implemented, allows students to meet the rigor of the school’s available classes without overwhelming them.
To prepare for their exams, students have adopted a variety of study strategies. Many gather at Nova Southeastern University’s library after school, forming study groups and reviewing material in a focused environment. They make Quizlets and study guides, then test themselves with practice tests and review sheets. Studying can be expensive; for example, many students taking AP United States History have decided to purchase online review courses and textbooks. Teachers have even dedicated class time to recapping the year’s lessons and providing students with helpful resources.
Regardless of what APs they are taking, all students are cognizant of the pressure they feel during April and May. Shirel Flicki, a junior in high school, reflected on her own AP exam experience. She said she feels “very stressed and overwhelmed with how much [she has] to do in a short period of time.” She further explained how she has focused her studying through “YouTube videos, crash course books and College Board progress checks.” Madison Morgan, a junior taking three AP classes this year, reflected that AP United States History, or APUSH, was the most difficult. She said, “APUSH is the hardest because … it’s a lot of information to digest.” On the other hand, Asher Belfer, also a junior, believes that his AP Physics exam will be the hardest because “the concepts are the most difficult to understand, and the questions are really difficult.” Asher has already completed his AP Research presentation and is studying for AP Calculus AB, AP Language Arts and Composition, APUSH and AP Physics exams. Asher said that, to study, he has “been doing a ton of practice tests” to review material. He predicts that with his hard work, he will get a 5 on all his AP exams.
Although AP season is stressful, it also celebrates growth and effort throughout the year. AP exam scores come out in the summer, so students can go weeks without having to think about their AP courses. Students leave their exams feeling accomplished and relieved, ready for a calmer chapter during the remainder of the school year. Furthermore, they experience a sense of pride in their accomplishments, having completed yet another milestone in their academic journey.
