Advanced Placement (AP) are known for their rigor, but student responses suggest Stagg’s 4×4 block schedule may be adding additional pressure.

With AP exams approaching in early May, while most students taking AP classes say they plan to take the test, many students have expressed concerns about how the school’s 4×4 block schedule affected their preparation.

One freshman wrote in their response that they had “No time to study due to other homework, sports, and personal life.”

Many students said the gap between taking the course and the exam contributes to these challenges. “Just the four by four, how if they learn it in the fall, they don’t want to take time to review [the material] six months later,” senior Alexis Garcia Cardenas said.

Another student echoed similar concerns about pacing and memory retention.

“I think some things that affect my decisions, and potentially those of other students, are that the course moves too fast, so students cannot remember everything before the exam,” freshman Jasiah Chaney said. “This could also lead to burnout during or before the test and cause high stress levels.”

Some students pointed to mindset and perception as additional factors.

“I think the main aspect that affects students’ decisions about taking the AP exam is the mentality of getting a bad score and thinking it’s not even worth trying,” junior Leslie Valdes said.

Others emphasized time constraints and outside commitments.

Still, not all feedback was negative. One senior said AP classes help build discipline and prepare students for future academic challenges. “AP classes utilizes class time more efficiently and teach study and work ethic for college,” senior Leila Fernandez said.

AP teachers say limited instructional time and the gap before exams are key challenges under the 4×4 schedule. Liliana Magana, who teaches AP Calculus AB, said the shortened class time intensifies already fast-paced coursework. “AP courses are already very fast-paced, and with the 4×4, we’re losing instructional time,” Magana said. “So it is very intense.”

She said a longer course structure could improve preparation. “If there’s a way to structure it where we have them for a full year, that is probably the most effective,” she said.

Cailynne Price, who teaches AP English Language and Composition, said students who take AP classes in the fall face a long gap before testing. “It is a four month wait until the exam,” Price said. “We did hold review sessions, but it was hard to get students to show up.”

Price suggested a broader change to testing timelines. “I wish the AP test could be offered in December,” she said, noting the difficulty of testing months after completing a course.

AP exams will take place on the Spot from May 4 through May 8 and May 11 through May 15. For more information about testing, visit CollegeBoard.com.