For a good chunk of the student population, Advanced Placement (AP) exams are looming in the distance. There are several steps that can help them get organized for the AP exams, which take place from May 3 -14.

1. Get together everything and anything you might need to study, such as textbook reviews or AP books. Try to place yourself in a location where things like computers and televisions aren’t going to distract you. Turn off your cell phone/iTouch/iPhone if need be.

2. There a few different ways you can tackle a year’s worth of notes. You may want to start out by looking at each chapter and deciding what the big, main idea is. Then, work down into the details. Or, you could start with the small points and gradually connect them to form the big ideas.

3. Really cement your knowledge of the important facts. Read and highlight your notes and AP book. Make flashcards. Write lists. Color code. Create clever memory devices. Just make sure that you have an understanding of what the important stuff is, and that you will not forget it come exam day.

4. Practice. There is a difference between knowing something and being able to apply that knowledge. Take advantage of the mock exams that are available to you. They can help you see what types of questions give you trouble and what information is important to understand.

5. Seek help from teachers. Many teachers will have before or after school study sessions, old exams you can practice with, or just general tips that they’ve gathered from previous years.