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Content Difficulty
AP English Language mainly examines the candidates’ ability of reading, comprehension, vocabulary, summary, analysis and demonstration. The annual 5-point score is around 10%, shows the difficulty level of this exam. This test requires very good English reading and writing skills. Compared to SAT, the passages in AP English Language are relatively more difficult, require fast reading and in-depth understanding. The writing part examines the candidates’ critical thinking and the ability to come up with a structure and write quickly during the examination.
Content Coverage
AP English Language is a non-literary reading test that focuses on general liberal arts and sciences, which is different from AP English Literature and Writing. The passages in AP English Language are more common and useful that most people are familiar with. Most of them are prose, argumentative, speeches, letters, memoirs, etc. Topics covered include history, humanities, science. However, the angle of examination will be slightly different as compared to SAT, it will be more in-depth. Other than understanding, it will also ask questions from the perspective of language usage. Therefore, candidates are required to have a better grasp of language style, article structure, etc.
Should You Take AP English Language?
AP English Language is different from other AP subjects. It is more of an ability test rather than a subject test. The purpose of choosing to apply for it is to adapt to university reading and writing in advance. AP English can be used on top of TOEF/SAT/ACT to further prove your English level, especially writing ability. As the 5-point rate is not particularly high, it will of course, have an advantage during the application process. This is not an easy subject, the preparation process will be relatively tedious and requires a lot of reading and practice.
Exam Format (Starting with the 2021 Exam)
Section I: Multiple Choice
45 Questions I 1 Hour I 45% of Exam Score
• Questions will be presented in 5 sets, with shorter stimulus passages.
• 23-25 Reading questions
• 20-22 Writing questions
Section II: Free Response
3 Free-Response Questions I 2 Hours 15 Minutes (includes a 15-minute reading period) 155% of Exam Score
• 1 synthesis question
• 1 rhetorical analysis question
• 1 argument question
The free-response questions will now be scored using analytic rubrics.
Score Distribution
Test Prep Strategy
AP Language and writing mainly examines on non-fiction materials, including speeches, biographies, essays, etc. The most important thing is to read broadly, as well as practise a lot on writing and critical thinking.
Recommended Study Guides
-AP English Literature and Composition Crash Course 2011 Edition
-5 Steps to 500 AP English and Literature Questions to Know By Test Day
-AP English Literature Composition for Dummies
-Glencoe Literature The Reader's Choice—American Literature
-Cracking the AP. English Literature and Composition Exam by Princeton Review
-Glencoe Literature The Reader's Choice—Course 4 & 5
-Peterson's AP English Literature and Composition
Collection of Official Papers with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Click here to obtain the latest AP English Language Guide & Official Past-Year Papers with MCQ from ExclusiveSAT.
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