Mastering the Exam and Beyond: Our AP French Journey

29 May 2026Miguel N, Whittall ‘28

The AP French exam is notoriously a mountain of a test, but walking into the exam room on May 10, our class did not feel dread: we felt ready. That confidence is entirely thanks to the rigorous, masterfully planned preparation designed by our teacher, Mr. Hernandez. For months, our classroom was an AP boot camp where we tackled the exam’s toughest written and spoken components head-on.

We spent hours mastering cultural comparisons, which required us to analyze and contrast nuanced aspects of Francophone communities with our own. We also conquered the argumentative essay, a daunting task that forced us to synthesize three separate media, a written source, a data chart, and an audio, into a cohesive, persuasive argument. Mr. Hernandez also drilled us on formal email replies, reading comprehension, and the fast-paced simulated conversation section.

By the time the timers started on exam day, the format felt like second nature, and most of the class walked out feeling incredibly proud and confident. “Mr. Hernandez broke down the strategies so well that the exam felt like another day in class,” said Connor T, Whittall ‘28.

With the exam behind us, the energy has shifted from rigorous testing to pure cultural celebration. For our final projects, Mr. Hernandez gave us the freedom to choose our own adventure, allowing us to pick from reenacting a French movie scene, filming a recipe tutorial, presenting on a Francophone country, or sharing a personal travel experience. Charlie W, Rogers ‘28 notes, “Having choices for our final project lets us explore what we actually love about French culture.”

Ultimately, this course did so much more than just prepare us for a standardized test; it helped everyone improve their language skills and foster a genuine appreciation for the Francophone world. As Eli Z, Hope ‘28 reflects, “This class really made me feel connected to French culture.”

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mr. Hernandez, whose tireless dedication, carefully thought-out prep, and unwavering belief in our potential helped us greatly. Thank you for an unforgettable year.

Miguel N, Whittall ‘28

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