The due date for AP exam registration forms is quickly approaching – all forms and money must be turned in by next Friday, March 11 by 7:30 a.m. Patti Balch and Cindy McDaniels, the secretaries in guidance, are collecting forms and will provide copies of the registration papers that serve as receipts. Each AP exam costs $92, however a reduced fee of $15 is offered to students who exhibit financial need. Students must qualify for the reduced-price or free lunch program in order to get a reduced fee. All checks are to be made out to Francis Howell North.

“Kids will get the forms from their AP teachers, and then they must get it fully filled out with a parent or guardian signature,” Stephanie Johnson,  counselor, said. “We keep a spreadsheet, and I go onto the CollegeBoard website and order each of the exams. We use the forms to generate and know the checks and balances. Then after ordering they’ll ship the exams here in time for testing.”

AP exams begin on May 2, and continue every day for two weeks. Exams start at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. every day during the first week, and during the second week, there is one exam, AP Physics C, that begins at 2 p.m. If students wish to take two exams that take place at the same time, they are required to take one of the exams during makeup testing. Those who take AP exams can fill out specific forms to exempt their second semester finals, given they meet the qualifications.

“It’s important that they’re turned in on time so we can log them and get the orders to AP registration,” McDaniels said. “We have to verify that we have the correct amounts of people and money registered.”

Throughout fourth quarter, some teachers will begin winding down and reviewing for AP exams. Though AP classes spend all year preparing for the test, final reviews include using flashcards, review packets and practice tests are used to prepare students for their tests.

“I think getting the Princeton review and other prep books helps a lot on AP exams,” senior Andrew Stoker said. “Also, talk to your AP teacher. If anyone know the AP exam, it’s your teacher – they have experience with the test so they can tell you what to expect. The books can help you prepare for the structure of the exam, too. It’s good for helping with test-taking strategies, which are important.”