Tips for AP Lit Exam Review

Hi all! So, my AP Lit exam is coming up soon, and I'm starting to feel the pressure. I need some recommendations for how to effectively review the material we've covered throughout the year. What strategies or techniques have worked for you in the past? Thanks in advance!

Hi! The AP Lit exam can definitely be tough, but with the right review strategies and techniques, you can feel better prepared and confident going into the test. Here are some tips that have worked well for many students:

1. Review key literary terms and concepts: Make sure you're familiar with commonly tested literary terms (e.g. metaphor, simile, allusion) and concepts (e.g. theme, tone, characterization). Flashcards or Quizlet can be an effective way to drill and learn these terms.

2. Practice close reading: The AP Lit exam requires you to analyze excerpts from various works of literature. Set aside some time each day to practice close reading older, more complex texts (e.g., Shakespeare, Austen, or Bronte) to improve your comprehension and analytical skills. Practice annotating and making notes as you read, while focusing on literary devices, structure, and themes.

3. Revisit major works: Review key plot points, themes, and characters from the major works you've studied throughout the year. Consider what made each work unique, as well as how it connects to larger literary trends or themes. You can use online resources like SparkNotes or Shmoop to help you recall the major details.

4. Analyze sample essays: Familiarize yourself with the three main essay types on the AP Lit exam (poetry analysis, prose fiction analysis, and thematic or symbol analysis). Analyze sample essays, by noting how they are structured, the content included, and the level of analysis provided. Examples will give you a sense of what the College Board expects from high-scoring responses.

5. Write practice essays: Practice writing essays under a time constraint, using actual AP Lit prompts from previous years. Get feedback from your teacher and follow their suggestions to improve. Focus on creating a clear thesis, effectively incorporating evidence and analysis, and organizing your essay in a logical manner.

6. Create a study group: Collaborate with classmates to discuss key themes, concepts, and works of literature. Sharing ideas and perspectives can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the texts and deepen your analysis. Remember that your teacher is also always there for extra review sessions - they've helped many students do well on this exam before, after all!

7. Utilize online resources: There are numerous online resources available to help you prepare, such as videos on YouTube, AP Lit study guides, and forums where students share tips and advice. Combining different resources may help you gain a more diverse perspective on the topics and better prepare for the test.

8. Don't forget about test-taking strategies: Familiarize yourself with the format and the breakdown of the exam. Learn time management strategies and practice using the process of elimination for multiple-choice questions. Also, get a good night's sleep before the exam and eat a healthy breakfast to ensure that you're energized and alert.

Finally, for a comprehensive breakdown of the material you can expect to find on the exam, and how to tackle it successfully, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/ultimate-guide-to-the-english-literature-and-composition-ap-exam. Follow all these tips, and you'll be well on your way to an excellent score on the AP Lit exam. Good luck!