Long Island Regents Prep Blog - Regents and AP Review Long Island Regents Prep

In today’s competitive academic landscape, Advanced Placement (AP) exams have become increasingly important for high school students with college aspirations. As educators with decades of combined experience preparing students for these challenging assessments, we at Long Island Regents Prep understand firsthand the significant impact AP exams can have on a student’s academic journey and future opportunities.

College Admissions Advantage

College admissions officers consistently look for students who challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. Successfully completing AP courses and performing well on AP exams demonstrates to admissions committees that a student is prepared for college-level academic work. In an era where admission to selective colleges has become increasingly competitive, strong AP exam scores can help your application stand out from the crowd.

College Credit and Cost Savings

One of the most tangible benefits of scoring well on AP exams is the potential to earn college credit before even setting foot on campus. Many colleges and universities award credit for scores of 3 or higher (on the 5-point AP scale), though more selective institutions may require scores of 4 or 5.

These credits can translate to significant financial savings. Consider this: a single 3-credit college course can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 at many institutions. By earning multiple AP credits, students can potentially save thousands of dollars in tuition costs. Some motivated students even manage to enter college with sophomore standing, putting them on track to graduate early and further reducing the overall cost of their education.

Enhanced College Readiness

The rigor of AP courses and exams helps bridge the gap between high school and college academics. Students who successfully navigate AP courses develop critical thinking skills, time management abilities, and study habits that prove invaluable in college. Research consistently shows that students who take AP courses are better prepared for the demands of college coursework and are more likely to complete their degrees on time.

Subject Mastery and Academic Confidence

AP exams require deep understanding of subject matter rather than superficial knowledge. The comprehensive preparation necessary for success on these exams helps students truly master content in ways that benefit them far beyond test day. This mastery builds academic confidence that carries forward into future studies.

Students who excel on AP exams often discover academic interests that shape their college major choices and even their career paths. The depth of content covered in AP courses can spark intellectual curiosity and passion for specific fields in ways that standard high school courses sometimes cannot.

Developing College-Level Skills

AP coursework emphasizes skills that college professors expect students to possess:

These competencies serve students well beyond any single course or exam and represent the types of transferable skills that employers increasingly value in today’s job market.

Standing Out in Scholarship Applications

Many scholarship committees look favorably upon students who have demonstrated academic excellence through AP coursework and exams. Strong AP scores can strengthen scholarship applications, potentially opening doors to additional financial support for college.

Preparing for Success

While the benefits of AP exams are clear, success doesn’t happen by accident. Proper preparation is essential, which is why targeted review sessions with experienced educators can make a significant difference in exam performance.

At Long Island Regents Prep, our AP review courses are designed specifically to help students consolidate their knowledge, focus on key concepts, and develop effective test-taking strategies. Our NYS-certified teachers have years of experience helping students maximize their AP exam performance.

Conclusion

AP exams represent more than just another standardized test in a student’s academic career. They offer a pathway to college credit, enhanced college readiness, and improved admissions prospects while developing crucial academic skills. With proper preparation and the right mindset, students can use AP exams as stepping stones toward their future academic and professional goals.

If you’re preparing for AP exams this spring, consider investing in your success by joining one of our comprehensive review sessions. One day of focused preparation could make all the difference in your AP performance and your academic future.

Long Island Regents Prep has been helping students excel on AP exams, Regents exams, SATs, and ACTs since 2009. Our experienced NYS-certified teachers provide comprehensive test preparation at Farmingdale State College. Learn more at liregentsprep.com

Why AP Exams Matter More Than You Think: How Strong Scores Can Open Doors to College Success

By Dennis Urban on Monday, April, 21st, 2025 in Uncategorized.
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When spring arrives, so does AP exam season—a time of stress, studying, and high-stakes testing for high school students across the country. But while the pressure can be intense, the benefits of doing well on AP exams are well worth the effort. In fact, strong scores on these exams can be a major stepping stone toward college success.

🎓 1. Earn College Credit and Save Money

Scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam can earn you college credit at many universities. That means you could skip introductory courses, graduate early, or reduce your course load—saving thousands of dollars in tuition. With the rising cost of college, this is one of the smartest investments a high school student can make.

📈 2. Boost Your GPA

Most high schools weight AP classes more heavily than regular courses, giving students a chance to raise their GPA and improve class rank. A higher GPA can enhance your transcript and make you a more competitive applicant during the college admissions process.

🏆 3. Show Colleges You’re College-Ready

Taking AP classes—and doing well in them—shows colleges that you’re serious about academics. It demonstrates that you’re capable of handling rigorous coursework, a quality that admissions officers love to see.

🧠 4. Build College-Level Skills Early

AP classes and exams help students develop essential academic skills: critical thinking, time management, analytical writing, and problem-solving. These are exactly the kinds of skills you’ll need to thrive in college.

Get the Edge with an AP Review Course

At Long Island Regents Prep, we offer one-day AP review classes designed to help students succeed. Our sessions are clear, focused, and led by certified New York State teachers who know what’s on the exam—and how to help you ace it.

All classes are conveniently held at Farmingdale State College, and we offer prep for a wide range of subjects, including:

Ready to Raise Your Score—and Your Future?

Register today at www.liregentsprep.com or call us at 516-847-1265.
Seats fill up fast—don’t wait to give yourself the advantage you deserve!

Now offering online AP review classes

By Dennis Urban on Friday, February, 12th, 2021 in Uncategorized.
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We’re excited to offer students two different options for AP Review this year!

Get a thorough review of your AP course with our Six Hour Review course. This is the online version of our most popular review course, which will carefully review the entire course from 9am to 4pm on Saturday before the AP exam

We’re also offering AP Crash Course, a last-chance review held the evening before each AP exam, from 5pm to 9pm.

Our online classes will be offered via Google Classroom. Students and parents will receive links and instructions before the course.

Online AP Review Classes cost $130 for the 4-hour crash course and $190 for the 6-hour weekend course.

Free Online AP Review Resources

By Dennis Urban on Monday, March, 30th, 2020 in Uncategorized.
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Although we have decided to cancel our AP Review Classes this year due to Covid-19, we at Long Island Regents Prep want to provide our students with the best available resources to prepare for the upcoming exams. Many valuable online resources are freely available to students. Here are a few resources that we reviewed:

College Board Updates for Students – First and foremost, students should regularly check the College Board website for news and updates. On April 3, students will be able to find the two exam date options on this site. In addition, the College Board offers daily livestream courses broken down into key topic areas. Each online lesson is recorded for students who miss the live class.

Khan Academy – Like the College Board, the Khan Academy provides online lectures for all AP courses. The courses are broken down into more detailed topics and each key area includes a practice quiz. The website is full of visuals and allows students to keep track of their progress.

Kaplan Free AP Practice – Students can access unit outlines and test-taking tips. The site also includes support for the free-response questions, which will be the focus of most of the revised AP exams. Kaplan is currently offering one month of free access, too.

Varsity Tutors – The free testing system is available for students to test their knowledge in each subject area. There are multiple free exams available and each is rated by the level of difficulty to allow students to track their progress. The website also includes flashcards and other valuable test prep resources.

AP Study Notes – Students studying AP courses in the humanities (English and social studies) can access free exams, sample essays, course/topic outlines, and key terms. The website is easy to navigate and registration is not required.

While none of these sites can replace face-to-face instruction, they are wonderful alternatives during this prolonged closure. As always, we are here to answer any of the questions of our customers.

COVID-19 Update on Review Classes

By Dennis Urban on Wednesday, March, 25th, 2020 in Uncategorized.
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We’re reaching out to give you an update on our spring review sessions. Most importantly, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and in good health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

With Long Island schools closed for at least two weeks, we have canceled our March ACT review class, and students have been refunded. Our April SAT review class has also been canceled because of the College Board’s cancelation of May’s SAT exam, and registered students will receive refunds.

Although the situation is fluid and circumstances change daily, we are planning to move forward with our scheduled review sessions in May and June. We do understand, however, that some of our review classes may be disrupted. To that end, we want to assure you that if Long Island Regents Prep needs to cancel a class for which you are registered, you will receive a full refund.

In the meantime, we will continue taking registrations for our AP, Regents, and SAT review classes in May and June. We will also extend our early-bird registration prices until April 15th.

In addition, to help students study at home during the COVID-19 crisis, Long Island Regents Prep is offering its AP Review Books at a discounted price. Our Kindle ebooks will be $5 and paperbacks will be $10 for the remainder of the school year. We offer review books for AP US History, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Psychology. Each review book has hundreds of practice questions with detailed answers. You can click the following link for more information and to purchase through Amazon: https://liregentsprep.com/review-books/.

As Long Island Regents Prep enters its 11th year of business at Farmingdale State College, we’d like to thank you for your support and patience during this challenging time, and we wish you and your family good health in the coming weeks.

AP Exam Questions now available on TpT

By Dennis Urban on Friday, February, 7th, 2020 in advanced placement, advanced placement review, ap bio, ap calc, ap exams, ap macro, ap psych, apush.
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Each package of test questions features 400-500 Advanced Placement multiple-choice questions, organized by topic and difficulty level, and there are full answer explanations for every question. Plus, everything is in a Microsoft Word file, which is editable, so teachers can create their own unit tests, quizzes, and review activities. All test questions were written by experienced, certified AP teachers.

Visit our storefront at Teachers Pay Teachers for more information and to purchase test packages; you can also download a free sample test here! And, don’t forget to register for our AP Review Classes to get the edge on this year’s exams.

The New Global History Regents Exam

By Dennis Urban on Tuesday, April, 9th, 2019 in global, regents, Regents Review, regents review classes.
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This spring, the New York State Education Department will offer two examinations for students taking Global History & Geography. The first examination will be on Monday, June 3, and will follow the new course framework. This new exam will contain roughly 30 stimulus-based questions, a constructed-response short-answer question, and an enduring issues essay. Many high schools on Long Island are having their students take the transition examination which requires students to write both a thematic essay and a DBQ essay in addition to 30 stimulus-based questions That examination is being offered on Thursday, June 20. When selecting the appropriate review course for your sophomore-aged child, please consider the exam they are taking. If you are not sure, please contact your child’s social studies teacher.

Some schools are allowing students to take both exams. In that case, we suggest you consult with your son/daughter to determine which exam he/she most needs to review for. Luckily, we are offering review sessions for both exams. You can find out more by visiting our website, liregentsprep.com.

Long Island Regents Prep Celebrates its Tenth Year

By Dennis Urban on Thursday, March, 14th, 2019 in Uncategorized.
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Long Island Regents Prep Co-Owner Named NY History Teacher of the Year

By Dennis Urban on Wednesday, August, 1st, 2018 in Uncategorized.
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Dr. Dennis Urban, a social studies teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, has been named the 2018 New York History Teacher of the Year, an award presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

The History Teacher of the Year award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K-12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and US territories. In fall 2018, the National History Teacher of the Year will be selected from the pool of state winners.

Urban, who lives in Massapequa Park, has taught social studies at John F. Kennedy High School since 2003. He teaches AP U.S. History, United States History and Government (Inclusive/Collaborative), Historical Research, Participation in Government, and Sociology. In addition, as an adjunct professor of education at Touro College, he teaches social studies methods, elementary education, history, and philosophy.

Urban received his B.A. in history from Salisbury University in Maryland, and earned his M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in social studies education from Teachers College, Columbia University. He has published and presented on inclusive education, democratic citizenship education, social studies methods, local history, social justice and educational technology. Recently, Urban and his senior research students completed a local history book on the history of John F. Kennedy High School for the school’s 50th anniversary. The project can be found here.

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium and an award ceremony in New York, the JFK High School library will receive a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials. Urban will also receive an invitation to a 2019 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar, a week-long program that offers teachers daily discussions with historians, visits to historic sites and hands-on work with primary sources.

Nominations for the 2019 History Teacher of the Year awards are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors may nominate K-12 teachers for the award by visiting gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy. The deadline for 2019 nominations is March 30, 2019.

5 Ways to Reduce Stress while Studying

By Dennis Urban on Friday, January, 5th, 2018 in test prep.
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Stress while studying can affect all of us to the point where we pace like a wound-up toy, nervously gulping coffee and browsing Facebook in an attempt to run away from it all. Luckily, that doesn’t need to be the case. Learn these 5 ways to reduce stress while studying and you’ll be on the right path to a relaxed, focused, productive workflow.

Green tea has been touted by many as a panacea for stress reduction, weight loss, cancer defense and more. One study found that participants exposed to l-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, had lowered blood pressure compared to placebo and caffeine groups and also reported lower Tension-Anxiety scores. Also, a study from Japan showed that drinking five cups of green tea a day might reduce the incidence of psychological distress by 20 percent. The l-theanine amino acid in green tea helps promote alpha brain waves, which contribute to a relaxed, alert state of mind. Also, there’s much less caffeine in green tea than competing drinks like coffee, which make it a good choice if you’re trying to reduce caffeine for stress as we’ll cover later.

Another great way to shift your brain wave patterns toward the slower, calmer alpha and theta states is through meditation. Lighter meditation practice results in alpha waves, which are a sign of deep relaxation. More advanced practice can result in theta waves, which increase a feeling of connectedness with the universe and well being. Also, meditation can decrease self-centered thinking and depression and anxiety, which can certainly help promote more focused studying. Meditation doesn’t need to be hard: all you have to do is sit or lie down comfortably, and attempt to clear out all thoughts from your mind as they come in for as little as five minutes.

That’s mindfulness meditation- there are other types, too. So take a short break from studying and meditate to “sharpen the saw” i.e. become more efficient.

Add exercise to your weeks for a stress-busting effect. Exercise releases endorphins, which basically make you feel good and reduce pain, similar to morphine. It also reduces inflammation in the brain and promotes the growth of new blood vessels and brain cells. It can improve memory and concentration, as well. Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk, or can be as involved as swimming or lifting weights. Choose what works well for you.

Some people may feel that caffeine makes them more productive, or puts them in a better mood. Actually, it’s a drug with identifiable peaks and valleys of mood and concentration, and once hooked, you rely on the drug to even feel normal. Too much caffeine increases anxiety, which is why downing those espresso shots while studying isn’t such a great idea. Also, it increases cortisol (the stress hormone)’s levels in the body, which can lead to weight gain among other complications. The common advice is to drink four or fewer cups of coffee a day, but even that much is enough to cause dependence, so be careful. I try to stick to at most two cups a day and might switch over to green tea for the long haul.

Do you find yourself checking your phone or your email constantly, not wanting to miss out on any notifications, likes, messages or updates? This behavior may be contributing to your stress level. A study referenced here found that students who were the most used to using their phones were the most anxious when deprived of it after only 15 minutes. Another study said about the same thing, and a large percent of responders said they didn’t like the way they were attached to technology. Besides that, being accustomed to funny/shocking/interesting material can make studying seem almost unmanageably boring, so you might consider reducing the time you spend online to promote good study habits. Check out this video that explains technology distractions and the Attention Economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50R21mblLb0

That’s all! Did you like the list? Did you find yourself relating to any, or maybe all of it? These behaviors tend to go in tandem with each other, but the more you start establishing healthy study habits, the easier it’ll get. For my personal wellness and productivity, I follow all of the suggestions I wrote about and I know they definitely help me. Share your thoughts in the comments, or share this article if you liked it or you think it could help someone! If you’re looking for SAT Prep, check out StudentSharp’s Ultimate SAT Guide.