AP English Literature and Composition Exam: An Ultimate Overview

What do you know about the AP English Literature and Composition exam? If you are going to take it, you need to explore the details in depth. We are talking not only about your knowledge of the subject but also about the exam’s structure and procedure. How long does it last? What sections does it cover? What is the scoring system? So many questions and so few answers. But it won’t be like that after reading this guide. So, let’s get right into it!

Why Would You Want to Take the AP English Literature and Composition Exam?

Many students take the AP English Literature and Composition test, but what is the reason? One of them is college credit. You know that while studying at the university or college, you need to get a specific number of credits for active participation in the courses. Here is the good news. 

When you go to college, AP credits that are already available can save you time and money. For example, you may be able to skip introductory courses or even graduate earlier. So, preparing for the AP Literature exam during your high school time can be totally worth it.

What Is the Exam Format?

The AP Literature and Composition exam consists of two sections: 

1. Section I: Multiple choice questions.
   1. It makes up 45% of the exam score and lasts for 60 minutes.
   2. This section consists of 55 questions. It includes 5 sets of passages, with 8–13 questions in each. What do they look like? Each set requires reading passages of fiction prose, drama, or poetry of varying difficulty and answering associated questions.
   3. Keep in mind that the multiple-choice section always includes at least 2 passages of fiction prose and at least 2 passages of poetry.
2. Section II: Free response questions. 
   1. It makes up 55% of your final score and lasts for 2 hours. 
   2. This section has only 3 questions. What do you need to do? You should write 3 answers in the essay form to respond to 3 free-response prompts, analyzing:
      1. a poem, 
      2. a passage of prose fiction, 
      3. and a specific literary argument.
   3. It is recommended to spend no more than 40 minutes on each essay. 

How Long Does the Exam Take?

The AP English Literature and Composition takes 3 hours. You will have 1 hour for the multiple-choice section and 2 hours to complete the second section with free-response questions (which is 40 minutes for each essay). That might sound challenging. What about breaks? You’ll have one. You can take a 10-minute break between the two exam sections.

What Does the AP English Literature and Composition Exam Cover?

The exam covers multiple topics. One of the best ways to get acquainted with them all is to attend the AP class or study with a tutor. But of course, you can do it by yourself if you are organized enough.

Overall, the AP English Literature course content contains 9 units and 6 big ideas you need to know:

Source: College Board

Application of 6 Ideas Across the AP Lit Units

As you see, in addition to testing your knowledge of the 9 units’ content, the AP English Literature and Composition exam also assesses your ability to understand and apply 6 following ideas in analysis:

1. Character. You need to identify and describe the following:
   1. what specific details in the text say about a character, their views, and motivations;
   2. if and how a character changes or stays the same;
   3. what the functions of contrasting characters are;
   4. how textual details reveal nuances and complexities in characters’ relationships with each other;
   5. how a character’s own choices, actions, and speech reveal complexities in his or her character, and what the functions of these complexities are.
2. Setting. You need to identify and describe the following:
   1. specific textual details that convey or reveal the setting;
   2. the function of the setting in the narrative;
   3. the relationship between the character and the setting.
3. Structure. You need to identify and describe the following:
   1. how the plot orders events in a narrative;
   2. the functions of a particular sequence of events in a plot, structure in a text, contrast within a text, a significant event or a related set of important events in a plot, and conflict in the text.
4. Narration. You need to identify and describe the following:
   1. a narrator or speaker in a text;
   2. a narrator’s point of view in a narrative; details, diction, or syntax in a text that reveal a narrator’s or speaker’s perspective;
   3. the impact of the narrator’s reliability on a narrative.
5. Figurative Language. You need to identify and explain the following:
   1. the difference between literal and figurative meanings of words and phrases;
   2. the function of certain words and phrases in a text;
   3. the function of symbols and images;
   4. the functions of simile, metaphor, personification, and allusion.
6. Literary Argumentation. You need to provide:
   1. a paragraph that includes a claim and evidence;
   2. a thesis statement;
   3. explanation of the relationship between thesis, evidence, and reasoning;
   4. evidence to develop and support reasoning;
   5. your ability to control the elements of composition and communicate clearly.

AP English Literature and Composition Exam Scoring System

This exam is scored on a 5-grade scale. You need to get at least 3 to expect a college credit. The table below shows the 2023 students’ score distribution. Only 14.91% of all exam takers got the highest grade. Meanwhile, 77.19% scored 3 or higher. 

Source: College Board

AP English Literature and Composition Exam Question Examples

Now that you have a better understanding of the AP lit exam basics, it’s time to check some examples of the questions you might face on your test. Of course, if you take an AP class or extra composition course, the chances are you’ve already practiced some exam questions. 

Example #1: Multiple-Choice Section

The first section contains multiple-choice questions. This part of the test is designed to assess your reading comprehension skills. Some students may not take it seriously. The College Board made it look deceptively easy, and many think that they can guess the correct answer even without sufficient knowledge. However, this is a poor tactic. Remember that your result in this section constitutes almost half of your final grade, so you have to practice this part as well. 

Source: College Board 

Let’s look at the real-life example above. Suppose you have a poem. You need to read it and answer several related questions. Each of them has a couple of options to choose from. This task tests your understanding of the poem and your ability to do its literary analysis. 

You have about one minute per question. Still, remember that you also need time to check your answer sheet before completing this section of the AP exam. So, make sure you practice this type of task during your AP classes.

Example #2: Free-Response Section

The free-response section of the AP English Literature exam tests your creative writing skills. You will write three essays on the proposed topics that are based on English literature (logical, isn’t it?). You have only two hours for this part. So, spend this time wisely. The best thing to start with is close reading to focus on the main idea. 

Source: College Board 

Let’s look at the task above. What do you need to do? First, you should write a thesis that states your position. Then, you must present evidence to support your line of reasoning. Next, you should provide clear explanations, clarifying the relationship between the evidence and the thesis statement. 

Note that effective presentation of arguments is crucial and requires using correct grammar and punctuation. You should be accurate and persuasive while conveying your ideas. This section examines your ability to explore material, analyze texts, write essays, and prove your argument. Here are a few tips to help you succeed:

1. Make sure your thesis is clear and concise. Directly address the prompt and outline your main argument; 
2. Choose quotes and examples from the text that directly support your thesis; 
3. Don’t just drop quotes into your essay. Explain how each piece of evidence supports your thesis. Show the connections between the evidence and your main argument; 
4. Write clearly and correctly. Make sure your grammar, punctuation, and spelling are accurate; 
5. Always leave time to review the essay. Look for any errors or unclear passages and make necessary corrections.

During your AP classes, make sure to focus on the essay section (aka the free-response section). Most likely, it will be based on prose fiction, so you need to practice writing about different popular literary works. With the right attitude to your AP course and the preparation in general, the exam itself will go much easier. 

What Should You Read to Excel in the AP English Literature Exam? 

As you might already understand, AP exams often require in-depth preparation. For instance, in AP Literature, test-takers need to be aware of literary elements and techniques, as well as be able to deliver literary arguments. However, your AP exam scores mainly depend on how well you know literary works. 

Let’s take a look at the list of great writers and their works that you can encounter on the AP College Board exam: 

• “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw
• “Songs of Innocence and Experience” by William Blake
• “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
• “Lyrical Ballads” by William Wordsworth
• “Ulysses” by James Joyce
• “North & South” by Elizabeth Bishop
• “Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman
• “Things of This World” by Richard Wilbur
• “Harmonium” by Wallace Stevens
• “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf
• “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
• “Beloved” by Toni Morrison
• “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood
• “Don Juan” by Lord Byron
• “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
• “The Complete Poems” by Emily Dickinson
• “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• “The Big Sea” by Langston Hughes
• “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton
• “Annie Allen” by Gwendolyn Brooks
• “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• “Collected Poems” by Marianne Moore
• “The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America” by Anne Bradstreet
• “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Sure, this list is long. As you can see, you need to familiarize yourself with longer fiction. Don’t try to read everything at once, instead try to enjoy the process. If you think about it, there are also additional benefits from this. Reading more will make your English language skills stronger, which can affect your score in other AP exams. 

Classic literature can open your mind to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives. It helps you develop critical thinking skills and enhances your ability to analyze and interpret complex texts. These are valuable skills for your future academic and professional endeavors. Plus, getting a college credit will be easier if you improve these skills. 

Helpful Resources

Since you can get college credit after you take AP tests, make sure to take AP courses and use all the resources available. The College Board offers helpful materials for the English Literature exam preparation. These include practice tests, study guides, and sample questions that can give you a better understanding of what to expect on the exam. Take advantage of these resources, and don’t hesitate to seek help from your teachers and peers. With the right preparation and mindset, you can excel in the AP English Literature exam and beyond. 

Conclusion

So, that’s it! AP exams always seem difficult. But we hope our article introduced you to the basics of AP English Literature and Composition. Now, you know the exam description as well as its structure, task types, and time slots. What does that mean? Actually, you’ve taken the first essential step toward success in the exam! 

Remember, the key to doing well is to keep practicing and stay confident. Review the materials after your AP classes, understand the types of questions you’ll face, and manage your time wisely during the test. With dedication and effort, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the AP English Literature and Composition test. Good luck!