May 11, 2026
For families with high school students, May is not just another month. It’s exam season and for many teens, it can feel like the most intense few weeks of their entire academic year. AP® exams, IB® exams, and Regents exams all converge in a short window, and the pressure can be significant.
But here’s what we’ve learned at Margot Tutoring Inc after years of supporting students through these exact weeks: the students who perform best aren’t necessarily the ones who study the most. They’re the ones who study most effectively and who have parents that know how to support without unintentionally adding to the stress.
This guide is for you.
Understanding the Exams: What’s Actually at Stake
Before you can support your teen, it helps to understand what each exam is and what it means.
AP® Exams are administered by the College Board each May. Students who score a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP® exam may be eligible for college credit, depending on the college they attend. These exams cover a full year’s worth of college-level curriculum, and they are graded on a 1–5 scale. A strong AP® score can save your child money in college tuition and place them into more advanced coursework.
IB® Exams are part of the International Baccalaureate programme and are taken primarily by students in IB® Diploma Programme courses. Graded on a 1–7 scale, IB® exams are known for their rigor and emphasis on critical thinking and international perspective. A strong IB® score can also earn college credit and is highly regarded by universities worldwide.
Regents Exams are New York State standardized exams required for high school graduation. Students must pass specific Regents exams to earn a Regents diploma. While less intensive in scope than AP® or IB® exams, they are high-stakes for students who need them to graduate, and anxiety around them is very real.
Each exam is different in format, scope, and consequence and your teen may be preparing for more than one at the same time.
What Your Teen Actually Needs From You Right Now
More than any study guide or prep book, your teenager needs a few specific things from you during exam season.
Calm. Your stress is contagious. If you’re anxious about their scores, they feel it and it adds to their own anxiety. One of the most powerful things you can do is model a composed, confident belief that they are capable.
Practical support. Healthy meals, a quiet study space, and reasonable bedtimes are not small things. The brain consolidates memory during sleep, and a sleep-deprived student is a less effective student, full stop.
To be asked how they are, not just how they studied. Exam season is emotionally taxing. Check in on your teen as a person, not just as a test-taker.
Perspective. One exam, even one bad exam, does not define a student’s future. Your teen needs to know that you believe this, not just say it.
Supporting Without Micromanaging
There’s a fine line between being involved and hovering, and most teenagers will let you know when you’ve crossed it. Some practical ways to stay on the right side of that line:
Ask open-ended questions: “What’s your plan for today?” rather than “Did you study yet?”
Offer resources without insisting: “Do you want me to quiz you?” is better than “Let me quiz you.”
Respect their study style. Some students study best in silence; others need background noise. Some prefer long sessions; others do better in short bursts. Their method doesn’t have to look like yours.
If they’re struggling and need more structured support, that’s exactly what Margot Tutoring is here for. Our tutors are NYS Certified Teachers who specialize in exam prep and can work with your student in the weeks leading up to any of these exams.
A Note for Younger Siblings
If you have elementary-age children at home while your teenager is in exam mode, this is a great opportunity to have a quiet conversation about what their older sibling is going through. Normalizing effort, hard work, and the occasional stressful week sends a powerful message to younger children about how learning works and what your family values.
After the Exam
When the exam is over, resist the urge to immediately ask how it went. Let your teen decompress first. A simple “I’m proud of how hard you worked” goes much further than a post-exam debrief.
The score will come. For now, acknowledge the effort and then give them a minute to breathe.
Margot Tutoring Inc offers specialized AP® exams, IB® exams, and Regents exam prep with certified teachers. Contact us to schedule sessions before exam season ends.