Currently this week we have been practicing for our AP Literature exam since the test is coming up in a few weeks. At the beginning of class, the aim read "what skills will you need for the AP exam?". As everyone gave their responses, I realized how pathetic the whole grading system for AP exams is. How does someone's ability to perform a task quickly measure whether or not they have mastered a college level class? It's ridiculous how short the amount of time that we are given actually is. Three hours for 60 multiple choice and three very complex essays. Sadly this is the only way to prove your worth.
Anyhow, that day we practiced developing ideas from essay prompts given on previous AP exams. This actually really gave me a lot of tips on what ways to approach all three essays. I believe that when I am doing timed writings, I constantly over think all my ideas in hopes to develop the most intellectual essay, however, this only causes me to lose tons of time. I noticed that when we were practicing on developing essay ideas, the responses were really straightforward and did not require much over thinking as I always do.
Overall, I am so glad Ms. Hegeman took two entire class periods to practice developing ideas with us because it really put things into perspective and made me realize that sometimes I should work smarter not harder. Finally, no matter what grade I get on this AP exam, I will be happy with it because I know deep down inside that no exam can accurately measure whether or not I mastered a college level class.
