What is the AP English Language and Composition Exam?

The AP English Language and Composition Exam is a standardized test administered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement (AP) program. It is designed to assess high school students' proficiency in reading, analyzing, and writing about rhetorical and non-fiction texts. Success on this exam can earn students college credit and/or advanced placement in college English courses.

Exam Format

The exam consists of two main sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response.

Section I: Multiple Choice

Number of Questions: 45
Time Allotted: 1 hour
Weight: 45% of Exam Score

This section includes five sets of questions:

Reading Questions (23–25): Assess students' ability to read and analyze nonfiction texts.
Writing Questions (20–22): Require students to consider revisions to stimulus texts, effectively "reading like a writer."

Note: Starting in the 2024-25 school year, multiple-choice questions will have four answer choices instead of five. This change will take effect with the 2025 exam.

Section II: Free Response

Number of Questions: 3
Time Allotted: 2 hours and 15 minutes (includes a 15-minute reading period)
Weight: 55% of Exam Score

Students will write essays in response to three prompts:

Synthesis Question: After reading six texts about a topic (including visual and quantitative sources), students will compose an argument that combines and cites at least three of the sources to support their thesis.
Rhetorical Analysis: Students will read a nonfiction text and analyze how the writer’s language choices contribute to the intended meaning and purpose of the text.
Argument Essay: Students will create an evidence-based argument that responds to a given topic.

Exam Preparation

To prepare effectively for the AP English Language and Composition Exam:

Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Format: Understand the structure and types of questions you will encounter.
Practice Regularly: Engage with both multiple-choice questions and essay prompts to build proficiency.
Develop Analytical Skills: Focus on analyzing rhetorical strategies and crafting well-supported arguments.
Review Scoring Guidelines: Understand how essays are evaluated to improve your writing responses.

For additional study resources and practice questions, explore our AP English Language question bank.

Prepare for the AP English Language and Composition Exam with Practice Questions

Achieving a high score on the AP English Language and Composition Exam requires effective preparation and familiarity with the exam format. Start practicing today with our comprehensive question bank.