What is the AP English Literature and Composition Exam?

The AP English Literature 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 analyzing and interpreting literary texts, including prose, poetry, and drama. 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: 55
• Time Allotted: 1 hour
• Weight: 45% of Exam Score

This section includes five sets of questions, each associated with a passage of prose fiction, drama, or poetry. Each set contains 8–13 questions. The multiple-choice section will always include at least two prose fiction passages (which may include drama) and at least two poetry passages.

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
• Weight: 55% of Exam Score

Students will write essays in response to three prompts:

1. Poetry Analysis: Analyze a given poem, focusing on the use of literary elements and techniques.
2. Prose Fiction Analysis: Analyze a given passage of prose fiction (which may include drama), examining narrative techniques and other literary elements.
3. Literary Argument: Develop an argument that examines a specific concept, issue, or element in a work selected by the student. In responding to this prompt, students should select a work of fiction that is appropriate to the question. A general rule is to use a work that is similar in quality to those they have read in their AP class(es).

Exam Preparation

To prepare effectively for the AP English Literature 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 literary elements 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 Literature question bank.

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

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