By: Sara Jones
As AP exam season continues at Raleigh Charter High School, students across every grade level are feeling the pressure in different ways. From sophomores taking their first AP tests to seniors balancing final exams with graduation activities, the two-week testing period has become one of the most stressful times of the school year.
The 2026 AP exam season, which runs from May 4 through May 15, has disrupted normal schedules and added extra pressure for many students. While some students spend weeks reviewing content and practicing timed essays, others are trying to balance studying with sports, homework and end-of-year burnout.
For sophomore Sanika Ohari, who is taking AP Biology, the experience has been both exciting and intimidating. As a newer high school student, she said preparing for an AP exam felt very different from studying for a normal class test.
“I was nervous because I didn’t really know what to expect going into the exam,” Ohari said. “I’ve been reviewing notes almost every night and doing practice questions so I can feel more prepared.”
Ohari said the pressure of taking a nationally standardized exam made the experience feel more serious than other tests she has taken before.
“A lot of people talk about AP exams like they’re really important, so it definitely adds stress,” she said. “I think the hardest part is trying not to overthink everything.”
Juniors, who often take the largest number of AP classes, are facing a different kind of challenge. Olivia Kang, a junior enrolled in four AP courses, said the biggest struggle has been managing time between multiple exams and regular coursework.
“It feels like every class has something due at the same time as AP studying,” Kang said. “Even after school, I’m either reviewing flashcards, writing essays or trying to catch up on sleep.”
Kang said the testing schedule has also affected students’ routines during the school day.
“Some classes feel empty because students are constantly leaving for exams,” she said. “It’s hard to stay focused on regular assignments when AP exams are taking up so much mental energy.”
Many students have also experienced increased stress and exhaustion throughout the testing window. With exams scheduled early in the morning and studying lasting late into the night, sleep has become difficult for some students to maintain.
“I think burnout is definitely real during AP season,” Kang said. “By the end of the week, everyone just looks tired.”
For seniors, AP exams arrive during one of the busiest and most emotional times of high school. Between graduation events, final projects and preparing for college, some seniors say motivation can be difficult to maintain.
Senior Derrick Lee, who is taking AP Literature, AP Physics I and AP Chemistry, said his final AP season feels very different from previous years.
“I still want to do well, but it’s harder to stay motivated when graduation is so close,” Lee said. “There’s definitely a sense of senioritis.”
Even so, Lee said he still values the exams because of the possibility of earning college credit.
“At the end of the day, the exams still matter,” he said. “I’m trying to push through these last few weeks so I can finish strong.”
Despite the stress, many students said AP exams have also taught them valuable skills like time management, organization and perseverance. As the testing season continues, students across Raleigh Charter are finding their own ways to cope with the pressure while balancing the demands of daily school life.
For many students, the end of AP testing will not just mark the completion of exams, but the beginning of a much needed chance to rest after one of the most demanding parts of the school year.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s2N8U0Kg9HQ1uSATEasDN7rXg70uprAihcqEzc61TxU/edit?tab=t.0
