Getting ready for the AP® Lang exam? Wondering how to pass the AP Lang exam by making a qualifying score? In this blog, I will give you an overview of what to expect on the exam, along with tips about where to focus your time, energy, and attention as you prepare.
How is the AP Lang exam scored?
When scores are released from the College Board, you will receive a composite score. This is a score between 1 and 5, with 5 being the highest. The score is not broken down, so you won’t know how many multiple choice answers you got correct or your essay score.
Forty-five percent of your composite score comes from the multiple choice questions. This portion is an hour long and contains 45 multiple choice questions, which means each question is worth one point.
The other 55 percent of the score comes from the Free Response Questions (FRQs) also known as the “essays”. Each of the 3 essays is scored on a 6 point rubric. You have two hours and fifteen minutes total to write 3 essays.
Now, exactly why does the scoring matter? For many students, they take AP classes for the potential to earn college credit. The most common question is, “What AP Lang score will give me college credit?”
The short answer is: it depends. The university itself sets their own standards for what they will accept. However, most universities require at least a three or higher on the composite score. You will need to look at the college’s website to get an exact answer.
How many questions do I need to get right on the AP Lang test?
Generally speaking, I tell all students to aim for 55-60% percent correct (or higher) on their multiple choice questions. I also recommend scoring a 4 out of 6 (a score of a 1-3-0 or higher) on the essays.
When practicing for the exam, try to determine which questions are your strength. This can help you determine which questions to focus on when studying, and learn tricks for conquering those questions. Need help creating a game plan for your AP Lang test to help you know how to score the most points possible? Check out this video here.
The Multiple Choice Section
The multiple choice section of the AP Lang exam contains both reading and writing passages.
Reading passage questions will test your reading comprehension. They may ask you to examine an author’s word choice, the purpose or function of a paragraph and more. While you don’t need to memorize terminology for these passages, you should be familiar with terms such as tone, exigence, or line of reasoning.
There are also three writing multiple choice questions on the AP exam. With these passages, you will answer questions about your understanding of style. Think of yourself as an editor. You might need to combine sentences, add or delete sentences, or choose effective transitions. For more AP Lang multiple choice tips, check out this video here.
The Essays
Understanding the AP Lang essays is a key factor in knowing how to pass the AP Lang exam.
For the AP Lang essays, you are given a fifteen-minute reading period and a two hour period for writing. Since there are three essays, that would give you roughly forty minutes for each.
I recommend looking at released student samples along with the AP Lang rubrics. This allows you to not only understand the rubric better but also see it being executed so you know what readers are looking for and how to work toward your desired score.
Now, let’s look at each essay a little more closely.
The Synthesis Essay
The synthesis essay is similar to a research paper. You will be provided with six to eight sources, with at least one being a visual source. In this essay, you will develop a position on a topic. Be sure to read the prompt carefully, so you know exactly what you need to take a position on.
You want to cite three or more sources in your essay. I typically recommend aiming for four. Remember that these citations are distinct sources, so citing the same source two separate times counts as one citation.
To cite sources, you can simply say, “According to source ____”, but I recommend referencing the sources original credentials and including the source name in a parenthetical citation instead. With these citations, you embed the evidence into the sentence and then put the source in parenthesis at the end of the sentence. Avoid merely summarizing your sources. Your job is to create your own argument and use evidence from different sources to prove your argument. Check out this blog for more tips!
Lastly, try putting sources in conversation with each other. You can do this by citing two sources in a paragraph and showing the relationship between sources.
Remember that your essay is a rough draft, so you may not have a fully developed introduction and conclusion. If you have time, however, consider adding a developed counterclaim and rebuttal or concession and refutation.
The Rhetorical Analysis Essay
This is the second essay type on the AP Lang exam. In this essay, you will be analyzing rhetorical choices, connecting them to the writer’s message, argument, or purpose.
A rhetorical choice is what a writer actively does, so you want to use active verbs for this essay. You also want to connect the rhetorical choice to the rhetorical situation. I like to use the acronym SPACE (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence) to help my students remember the different rhetorical situations.
Essentially, you will be asking yourself why the author is making this choice for this audience on this occasion. The prompt will ask you to analyze how the author conveys a message, achieves a purpose, or develops an argument. You need to follow that prompt. You don’t want to examine the purpose when you were asked to address a message.
The Argument Essay
This essay is similar to a synthesis, except you will be given a quote instead of sources. You do not need to rewrite or reference the quote in your writing. Instead, the quote provides context to an issue you are writing about.
You want to take a clear position, and you will need specific evidence to support your position. Having specific evidence will make or break this essay, so take a look at released essays to get a feel for what it looks like.
Additionally, try to layer your evidence if possible. Provide two related examples that develop your point and make your essay more convincing. Think of CHORES – current events, history, outside knowledge, reading, experience, and science. You’re not expected to know everything, but I recommend preparing by picking a few topics of interest and learning more about them.
How can you save time on the AP Lang essays?
Yes! Here are a few quick tips for saving time. First, write a quick intro with only a sentence or two of context and a defensible thesis. Technically, you only need a defensible thesis, but the sentences before help the essay flow better.
Secondly, spend most of your time developing the body paragraphs. This is where the bulk of the points come from. Keep pushing yourself to include commentary by asking, “why.” Use verbs like “highlights” or “illustrates” to help you build your commentary.
Lastly, conclusions are not mandatory, so if you have to throw something out – let it be this.
You can find more information about how to pass the AP Lang exam by checking out my YouTube channel here or my blog here!
And, if you’re an AP Lang student, don’t forget to check out my tutoring listings on OutSchool. Let’s work together to help you figure out how to pass the AP Lang exam! Use this link here to get $20 off your first OutSchool class.
