Introduction to the AP Language and Composition Exam

Introduction to the AP Language and Composition Exam

Format of the Exam

Section I: Multiple Choice (60 min) – 45% of score

Total number of questions: 50 – 55

Section II: Free Response (120 min) – 55% of score

1. Reading period (15 min)
2. Analysis of a passage and exposition/presentation of the analysis on a passage provided (40 min)
3. Argumentative essay supporting, refuting or qualifying a statement provided (40 min)
4. Synthesis essay integrating information from a variety of sources provided (40 min)

Scoring

You will take the test in early May and receive your scores around the first week of July.

Score Meaning / Average % to receive score / Equivalent college course grade / Will you receive credit?
5- Extremely qualified / 9.2% / 90-100 / Yes
4 – Well qualified / 18.3% / 80-89 / Probably
3 – Qualified / 31.4% / 70-79 / Maybe
2 – Possibly Qualified / 30.3% / 60-69 / Very Rarely
1 – Not qualified / 10.9% / F / No

Multiple-choice Scoring – guessing penalty

Correct answer = 1 Point

No answer = 0 Points

Incorrect answer = -1/4 point

Free-response Scoring

Each essay is graded 0-9; all three essays are added together, so your score will range 0-27.

Holistic Scoring

The reader goes through your essay and gets an overall impression, which is translated into a single number. There is no checklist of points.

Scores 8-9

These are well-organized and well-written essays that clearly address the prompt. These essays include apt, specific examples to explain or argue a point. The argument is convincing and the student successfully develops a position. While not flawless, these works demonstrate an understanding of the passage or concept, the techniques of composition, and the ability to control a wide range of elements. The writers of these essays express their ideas skillfully and clearly.

Scores 6-7

The content of these papers resembles that of the higher-scoring essays, but it is less precise and less aptly supported. These essays deal with elements such as rhetorical strategies, diction, imagery, and point of view, but they are less effective than the essays in the upper range. Essays that receive a score of 7 generally exhibit fewer mechanical errors and use slightly better specific examples than those that receive a score of 6.

Score 5

These essays are superficial. Although not seriously off topic of completely lacking in merit, they miss the complexity of the prompt or of the passage and offer only a perfunctory analysis. The treatment of elements such as rhetorical strategies, diction, imagery, and point of view is overly generalized. The writing adequately conveys the writer’s thoughts, but the essays are limited, inconsistent, and uneven.

Score 3-4

These essays attempt to address the prompt, but they reflect an incomplete understanding of the prompt or of the passage (or both); they do not address the prompt adequately. The discussion is oversimplified and misrepresented. The treatment of rhetorical elements is scanty or unconvincing, and there is little support for the writer’s statements. Typically, these essays reveal marked weaknesses in the writer’s ability to handle the mechanics of written English.

Scores 1-2

These essays contain the shortcomings found in the essays that are given a score or 3 or 4, but to a more pronounced degree. These essays either completely misunderstand the prompt or the passage, or both. The writing evinces no control of written English, and the organization is poor.

Score 0

This is a response that fails to answer the question. There may be a reference to only the task at hand.

Score ----

This indicates that the response is completely off topic or that a response has not been made. The essay, of course, receives no points.

Clear essays earn high scores, generic and boring essays earn mid-range scores, bad essays earn low scores.

ANSWER THE QUESTION

WRITE LEGIBLY

Think before you write

Indent your paragraphs clearly

Put care into your first paragraph

Each essay is worth the same, so give each equal time

Write the prompt you feel most comfortable with first

Do not use contractions or shorthand

Format and Content of the Essay Section

Remember when choosing outside test-prep materials, the AP English Language test was changed in 2007 to include the synthesis essay. All materials produced prior to 2007 will not include this information.