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Understanding AP English Exam Fundamentals: Tips and Strategies for Success

Earning a high score on an Advanced Placement ® (AP ® ) exam can catapult you to college admissions success. Your AP exam success will look good on your college application, can positively affect your GPA, and can even earn you college credit!

In this article, we’ll delve into the fundamentals and structure of the AP English exams. Understanding the nuances of both AP Language and Composition (Lang) and AP Literature and Composition (Lit), and common key features, including scoring system and effective testing strategies, is essential for student success.

Scoring System

AP exams are scored on a scale from one to five, with five being the highest. The scoring breakdown is as follows:

5: Extremely well-qualified (equivalent to an A or A+)

4: Very well-qualified (ranges from a B to an A-)

3: Qualified (from a C to a B-)

2: Possibly qualified

1: Not recommended

Overview of AP English Exams

Each of the AP English exams focuses on a unique set of themes. As you’ll see, while the content that you’ll need to learn will vary, the strategies that you’ll need to succeed are consistent.

• AP Language and Composition focuses on analyzing rhetorical arguments through reading and writing texts. You’ll explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims, evidence, reasoning, organization, and style. You will be tasked with evaluating authors’ arguments, identifying purposeful choices, and synthesizing diverse sources to support a point. The exam consists of 45 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions from the following categories: synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument. The Lang exam also builds in 15 minutes of reading time for the synthesis free-response section.
• AP Literature and Composition: AP Lit emphasizes the elements of literature, such as characters, setting, structure, narrator, figurative language, and the use of examples to support arguments. You’ll demonstrate understanding of poetry and prose fiction by dissecting texts to understand authors’ intentions and narrative techniques. The exam consists of 55 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions from the following categories: literary analysis of a given poem, literary analysis of a prose section, and analysis that examines a specific concept, issue, or element in a work you select, ideally one read in your AP Lit class.

Preparing for Success

To excel on your AP English exams, you’ll need to demonstrate subject-matter expertise—and you’ll also need to deploy effective test-taking strategies specific to these exams.

For your free-response questions, practice makes perfect! Make sure you are familiar with the definition and structure of each essay type, whether it’s a rhetorical analysis or a literary analysis. Engage in regular writing practice and take your in-class timed writings as an opportunity to improve and receive valuable feedback.

Remember to look at examples of successful student work from prior exam periods—examples of student essays for Lang and examples for Lit are available for free on The College Board’s website.

Learn how to be persuasive. Books like Thank You for Arguing by Jill Heinrichs can help you expand your understanding of persuasion, audience, tone, and open-mindedness.

Familiarize yourself with various literary works, including those outside your required reading list, to bolster comprehension and enhance your ability to support arguments with textual evidence.

Remember to check in with your school for any specific procedures related to AP exams and review your knowledge regularly to maximize your performance on exam day.

Whether tackling an argumentative essay or analyzing a poem, preparation and strategy are paramount. Familiarize yourself with the exam formats, employ effective test-taking strategies, and hone your writing skills to best navigate these AP English exams. You are already on your way to maximizing your AP test scores!

To learn more about effective AP English exam-taking strategies, check out our webinar!

AP ® and Advanced Placement ® are trademarks registered by the College Board.

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