It's crazy to think APs start this week.
There are stressed high school students nationally (and even internationally) crammed into neat rows that would satisfy even the pickiest of people. I myself am taking three. But with technology so easily accessible, one can just download an app and prep from where ever they are. I am going to test out 6 FREE AP Calculus AB apps and rate which ones are the best.
1. Varsity Tutors:
Rate: 8/10
What I like about this app is that there are so many practice tests and even a diagnosis test to show how prepared you are. The diagnosis test tells you your time, what percent you got correct, how you scored on specific concept areas, and a walk-through of why individual answers were wrong. This app has flashcards and ways to learn through concepts. While it has basically everything you need, I am not a fan of how the "Learn by concept" section option in the app is learning through practice questions. In my mind, this is not a great method because I feel that I understand the information in that question and with that question format instead of how to universally apply it. Overall, this is very good app and I highly recommend!
2. Magoosh:
Rate: 10/10
The basis of this app is studying through videos! Each video is around 3 minutes long (the max being 5) and are set up kind of like Khan Academy (Yessss). Each one is clearly labelled and organized by topic so you can easily streamline to whatever topic you're having difficulty with. What I also love about this app is that the home page has shortcuts to "Important Concepts" for whatever subject you got the app for. It even has articles and videos for hacks for College Admissions! To be completely honest I can't find anything wrong with this one!
3. Fast Track to a 5:
Rate: 1/10
So this app clumps together numerous AP subjects and you get to choose whichever APs you're taking. However, they only have Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1, Physics 2, Psychology, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History, and World History. While the app itself is free, there's only the diagnostics test and then you have to pay $8.99 for the other exams (as a customer I am disappointed ... but as an appreciator of business and commercial schemes I am impressed). This app basically is just studying through taking numerous tests and don't offer the ability to learn specific topics so this was a little disappointing.
4. AP Calculus AB Exam Prep Practice Questions 2017:
Rate: 4/10
DUPED AGAIN! While you can play with flashcards (that only allow a couple of topics for free), practice tests and analysis of weak questions are in-app purchases. This app is probably the least aesthetically pleasing, but that doesn't really matter. One great thing about this app is there is a guide called "The MCQ Mystery" that gives tips on how to do well on all APs. Again, it is practice through multiple choice answers instead of actually learning concepts.
5. McGraw-Hill AP Exam Prep:
Rate: 6/10
This app also clumps together numerous APs and appears to have most of the options except for languages. This covers a lot of topics (but not all for free). You can choose which topics you want to be tested on and take quizzes on it. Again, this is multiple-choice format that doesn't really explain the concepts you need to know. Once you've taken two quizzes, the app will analyze which topics you are weak on and allows for further practice.
6. FocusED Calculus:
Rate: 9/10
This app is exactly what you want if you want to understand and review basic concepts and formulas. It is so well organized and doesn't require any in-app purchases! There is even a very extensive glossary with every term you may be confused on. One thing that could improve the app would be supplementary quiz options.
A message to all who are sitting down for their tests:
Breathe....
... Because you got this!
