what should i study for the ap english literature exam

Overall How To Study for AP® English Literature: 9 Tips for 4s and 5s

• 1. Complete any and all Summer work assigned ...
• 2. Read Thomas Foster’s How To Read Literature Like a Professor ...
• 3. Become familiar with the Western Canon ...
• 4. Learn how to analyze text ...
• 5. Develop a daily reading habit ...
• 6. Ask questions to seek clarity ...
• 7. Form a study group and meet either weekly or bi-weekly ...

Full Answer

How to do well in an English Literature exam?

• Select a revision buddy and peer assess your classmate’s IO and vice versa.
• Record yourself and self assess, ask yourself how you would grade your performance and how you can improve.
• Ask your teacher or tutor for feedback on your recording so you can continue to practise and improve.

What's on the AP English language exam?

What's on the AP ® English Language Exam?

• Two hours and 15 minutes including a 15-minute reading time
• Three questions with prompts covering synthesis, rhetorical analysis, and argument
• 55% of final exam score

Is English literature a hard degree to study?

In this way, an English literature degree can provide a great opportunity to test and refine your skills in a way that would be hard to do anywhere else, in addition to the opportunities presented by extra-curricular activities; most universities will have student publications you can get involved with. English literature is also a good subject ...

Should you take AP English literature or AP English language?

AP Literature got my out of my freshman english course. If you're looking for credit to get out of a freshman course, then AP literature is your best bet. If you're looking for mandatory elective credit, then AP Language is more likely to count.

How Is the AP Literature Test Graded?

Each essay, then, is worth about 18% of your grade.

What is the first two essays?

The first two essays are literary analysis essays of specific passages, with one poem and one prose excerpt. The final essay is an analysis of a given theme in a work selected by you, the student.

How long is the AP Literature Free Response section?

The AP Literature Free Response section is two hours long and involves three free-response essay questions , so you'll have about 40 minutes per essay. That's not a lot of time considering this section of the test counts for 55% of your overall exam grade !

What is the score of an essay on the College Board?

Each of your essays will receive a score from 0 to 6 based on the College Board rubric, which also includes question-specific rubrics. All the rubrics are very similar, with only minor differences between them.

What are some AP Lit questions?

Some AP Lit questions will ask you about specific structural elements of the passage: a shift in tone, a digression, the specific form of a poem, etc. Often these questions will specify a part of the passage/poem and ask you to identify what that part is accomplishing.

How many questions are asked in AP English?

There are, generally speaking, eight kinds of questions you can expect to see on the AP English Literature and Composition exam. I'll break each of them down here and give you tips on how to identify and approach them.

How many excerpts of prose and poetry are there?

You can expect to see five excerpts of prose and poetry. You will always get at least two prose passages (fiction or drama) and two poetry passages. In general, you will not be given the author, date, or title for these works, though occasionally the title of a poem will be given.

What does it mean when you have multiple responses to a question?

This means that multiple responses to a question may be functionally true, depending on your perspective. This means many assignments do not inherently have a right or wrong answer. Instead, you will be graded based on how you came to your conclusion, how well it is supported, and the quality of your response.

Why is timing important in practice exams?

One benefit of timing your practice exam is that you can identify any issues related to time management. For the multiple choice section, consider which questions may have taken more time and try to determine why. In some cases, you may find certain provided passages more difficult to interpret, which may have slowed your response in the entire section. At other times, you may identify areas in which you need a better understanding to feel more confident in your responses.

How to improve your grade in class?

For those struggling in the class, you should dedicate more time to your studies. Not only will your grade in class likely improve, raising your grade point average , but you will also be more likely to retain the kind of information you need in order to perform well in the exam. If test anxiety is a main factor, then spend more time simulating test conditions and practice stress management techniques. If your writing is subpar, consider taking a separate writing course online through one of the free sites recommended for study materials.

Why is it important to take practice exams?

By taking practice exams, you can hone the skills you need to perform at your best in your exam.

How to practice writing?

You can practice your writing skills by answering practice questions that you find online, or working with a teacher for some alternatives. Focus on creating a system to write concise, but thorough answers that are well written. Spend time improving the quality of your writing, and not the quantity.

How to squeeze in a little more reading?

With the prevalence of e-readers and reading apps, finding time to squeeze in a little more reading is often easy. Consider taking time between classes to read a few pages, or enjoy a chapter at lunch. If you take the bus to and from school, read while you are on the road.

What do you learn in literature?

You will learn to read actively and thoroughly, making sure you recognize how the words are used and why they were selected. Additionally, you will spend a notable amount of time considering and analyzing the works. This will help you achieve a deeper level of understanding as well as make a connection through personal interpretation.

When is the AP Literature Exam?

2020’s AP English Literature and Composition exam day is Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 8 AM. Check out our blog 2020 AP Exam Schedule: Everything You Need to Know to learn more about this year’s AP exam dates and times.

How many questions are asked in the AP Literature exam?

The first section of the AP Literature exam is one hour long and consists of 45 multiple-choice questions—23-25 Reading questions and 20-22 Writing questions. The multiple-choice questions are grouped in five sets of questions, with each set linked to a passage of prose fiction or poetry that contains between 8 and 13 questions. Students receive two sets of questions about both prose fiction and poetry, with the fifth set varying between prose fiction and poetry. The function of the multiple choice section is to assess a student’s ability to:

What is the most popular AP exam?

The English Literature and Composition exam is one of the most popular AP exams among self-studiers and enrolled students alike. In 2019, a total of 380,136 students took the AP Literature exam, making it the third most favored AP exam, trailing only English Language and U.S. History in popularity. If you are interested in taking ...

What is the function of multiple choice section?

The function of the multiple choice section is to assess a student’s ability to: 1. Understand and interpret word choice, comparisons, and figurative language. This is one of the most common questions types on the AP Lit exam.

How long is the second section of AP Literature?

The second section of the AP Literature exam is two hours (plus a 15- minute reading period) and contains three free response questions. These prompts test three core abilities:

What is the plot and structure of a book?

The plot and structure: Understand what the author conveys by the arrangement of the sections of text, their relationship to each other, and sequence, along with how the reader’s interpretation of the text is affected by these choices.

What is the narrator's perspective?

The narrator or speaker: Know how a narrator’s or speaker’s perspective controls the details and emphases that affect how readers experience and interpret a text. Source: The College Board. Characters: Grasp how characters allow the reader to explore values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms.

How to find out what form of studying helps you best?

Perhaps you like to listen to the material to really understand it. The best way to find out what form of studying helps you best is to experiment. Use flashcards one day, read and summarize material the next, take a practice exam after that, and then try a study group. Variety is key!

How to prepare for FRQ 3?

Prepare for Question 3 before the exam by reviewing everything you’ve read in AP® English Literature. Thanks for the tip from Erin M. at Mercy County Senior High.

How to analyze a literary text?

Analyze the setting, characters, and plot of the piece. However, it’s also imperative that you understand how to look deeper within the details. Deconstruct the text and examine its theme, look for literary devices, and motives. Do not merely summarize. Foster’s book from tip #2 is a great place to start developing your critical reading skills.

What are some good thesis statements?

Here are examples of good and bad thesis statements over an essay concerning free speech: 1 Bad Thesis: “This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of certain restrictions on free speech.” 2 Good Thesis: “Even though there may be considerable advantages to restricting hate speech, the possibility of chilling open dialogue on crucial racial issues is too great and too high a price to pay.”

What does "if you have an idea" mean?

If you have something concrete, associate it with an idea. Be able to move back and forth between the abstract and the literal. Most if not all deep literature involves this sort of mental navigation, so it’s best that you become familiar with it. Thanks for the tip from Jeff T. at Lynden Christian High School.

How to surprise the reader on day 3 of AP?

Think about the fact that the AP® readers have been looking at essays on the same topics for three days. What will you do to be original and stand out that will surprise the reader at 4:30 pm on day three? Brainstorm what everyone else will say before writing. Then, don’t write on those topics. Originality will hook your reader. Thanks for the tip from Mike G. from MPS.

What happens if you don't understand the vocabulary used in the questions and answers?

If you don’t understand the vocabulary used in the questions and/or answers, you will not be able to find the correct answer. There are many words with multiple meanings/nuances of meaning that will bring you to the wrong conclusion. Pay attention to the wording of the questions and answers! Thanks for the tip from Susan R. from Palm Beach Gardens High.

Score a 5 & Improve Your GPA

Getting the grade you want in your AP English Literature and Composition class and earning a high score on the AP Literature exam is important to you -- especially if you want to differentiate yourself from other college applicants and earn college credit. But . . .

Why Choose Us?

Use our content to practice, review, and prepare for quizzes and unit tests so you earn top grades. Since AP courses may be weighted, you can boost your GPA.

Choose Your Subscription

Purchase three or more QBanks and receive 20% off your order. Click here to see all available courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

AP English Literature and Composition, or AP Lit, is an Advanced Placement® course that focuses on literary analysis. The course consists of nine units that cover concepts like setting, perspective, structure, character, and figurative language. It is usually taught over two semesters to students in their junior or senior year of high school.

For Educators

From individual tutors to school districts, we offer bulk pricing on our suite of college readiness solutions. We’ll work with you to customize a package to fit your needs.

Ready to start your journey?

Works of fiction, drama, and poetry illustrate literary techniques and purpose.

What Does AP English Literature and Composition Cover?

Students in AP English literature and composition analyze works of fiction, drama, and poetry from various time periods and literary movements. During their analysis, they may consider political and historical contexts. Students must read works critically and reflect on their reading through expository, persuasive, and analytical writing.

What Determines the Difficulty of AP English Literature and Composition? 3 Key Factors

AP literature is a challenging class for many learners. Students can consider nationwide score distributions and district averages, as well as their own English literature capabilities, to gauge whether they are likely to succeed in this course.

When Should You Take AP English Literature and Composition?

Many high schools offer AP English literature to juniors and seniors. Though certain schools may offer the opportunity to sophomores, this course may not be suitable for students who have less experience with the textual analysis and writing skills that an AP English literature course demands.

AP English Literature and Composition Exam: What You Need to Know

The AP English literature and composition exam consists of a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The table below shows the distribution of scores from the May 2020 exam.

Should I Take AP English Literature and Composition?

When considering whether AP English literature will be a suitable challenge, students should consider nationwide score distributions, school-specific pass rates, and their individual aptitude in the subject.

Frequently Asked Questions About AP English Literature and Composition

AP English literature is a fast-paced and intensive course. Although many high school students take multiple AP classes at once, students should be careful about scheduling AP literature alongside other reading- and writing-heavy classes. Taking on an unreasonably heavy course load can ultimately lower a student's GPA.

How Many Books Do You Need to Read for the AP Exam?

You'll want to read them all with an eye for comprehension and basic analysis, but you don't necessarily need to focus equally on every book you read.

What is the best way to prepare for the AP Lit exam?

Reading a diverse array of novels, poetry and plays from different eras and genres will help you be familiar with the language that appears in the various passages on the AP Lit exam's multiple choice and essay sections. If you read primarily modern works, for example, you may stumble through analyzing a Shakespeare sonnet. So, having a basic familiarity level with the language of a broad variety of literary works will help keep you from floundering in confusion on test day because you're seeing a work unlike anything you've ever read.

What is prep scholar?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

What is the most important part of college application?

One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose to take in high school (in conjunction with how well you do in those classes). Our team of PrepScholar admissions experts have compiled their knowledge into this single guide to planning out your high school course schedule. We'll advise you on how to balance your schedule between regular and honors/AP/IB courses, how to choose your extracurriculars, and what classes you can't afford not to take.

Why is it important to have a basic familiarity level with the language of a broad variety of literary works?

So, having a basic familiarity level with the language of a broad variety of literary works will help keep you from floundering in confusion on test day because you're seeing a work unlike anything you've ever read.

What is the most important thing for the student choice free response question?

The most important thing for the student choice free-response question is that the work you select needs to have "literary merit." What does this mean? In the context of the College Board, this means you should stick with works of literary fiction. So in general, avoid mysteries, fantasies, romance novels, and so on.

Do AP literature books come up again?

However, while there's not necessarily a specific, mandated AP Literature reading list, there are books that come up again and again on the suggestion lists for student choice free-response questions. When a book comes up over and over again on exams, this suggests both that it's thematically rich, so you can use it to answer lots of different kinds of questions, and that the College Board sees a lot of value in the work.

How many prose passages are in a multiple choice essay?

The multiple-choice section will always include at least 2 prose fiction passages (this may include drama) and at least 2 poetry passages.

What is literary analysis?

A literary analysis of a given passage of prose fiction (this may include drama) An analysis that examines a specific concept, issue, or element in a work selected by the student. In responding to Question 3, students should select a work of fiction that will be appropriate to the question.

What are the three free response prompts?

Students write essays that respond to 3 free-response prompts from the following categories: A literary analysis of a given poem. A literary analysis of a given passage of prose fiction (this may include drama) An analysis that examines a specific concept, issue, or element in a work selected by the student.

How long is the Digital Practice exam?

Both provide approximately the same time limit per question as the full exam. Digital Practice has a shortened multiple-choice section (13 questions, 17 minutes), a shortened break of 5 minutes, and a full-length free-response section (3 questions, 2 hours).

Why do students use annotations?

Students can use the digital annotation tool to identify key elements within texts, organize their thoughts, and draft brief textual analysis. While the annotations that students construct will not be scored, annotating may help students interpret texts and answer multiple-choice or free-response questions.

When can students try out the test day experience?

Starting April 8, students can try out the test-day experience by answering example questions in the digital testing application. See the Digital Practice page for general information about practice options.

Can you read the directions on a digital exam?

While students should read the directions, they should be aware that the timer will be running while they do so. Teachers and students can view the full text of the exam and section directions in advance of the exam. More information about taking digital exams is available in the Digital Testing Guide.