How to Succeed in AP Lang Multiple Choice?

I have an upcoming AP Lang exam, and I feel pretty confident about the essay portions. However, I'm struggling with the multiple-choice section. What strategies or tips can help me improve my accuracy and perform better on this part of the exam?

I'm glad you're feeling confident about the essay portion of the AP Lang exam! To perform better on the multiple-choice section, consider the following strategies:

1. Read actively: Don't just passively read the passage - engage with it. As you read, underline or mentally note key phrases, main ideas, or the author's tone. This will help you comprehend the passage better and answer the questions more efficiently.

2. Skim questions first: Before thoroughly reading the passage, briefly skim through the questions associated with it. This can help you determine what to look out for in the passage and may save you time when working through the questions.

3. Manage your time: The multiple-choice section is timed, so you need to be conscious of the clock. Divide the available time by the number of passages, and stick to that timeframe for each passage. If you're struggling with a passage, it's better to move on and come back to it later if time permits.

4. Answer easy questions first: Attempt questions that seem easier or more straightforward first. This might give you important information or context for answering the more difficult questions, and it helps ensure you get as many points as possible in case you run out of time.

5. Eliminate wrong answers: Sometimes, even if you don't know the correct answer right away, you can eliminate the choices that you're certain are incorrect. This process of elimination will improve your odds of selecting the correct answer.

6. Focus on the author's argument and tone: When reading a passage, try to understand the author's main argument and their tone towards the subject matter. This will help you in answering questions related to the author's purpose or attitude.

7. Use textual evidence: When you're answering questions, look for direct evidence from the passage to support your answer choice. Be cautious of answer choices that sound reasonable but aren't supported by the text.

8. Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with the AP Lang multiple-choice format. Use released exam questions or sample questions from reputable test prep resources to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement.

Remember, practice is key to improving your skills in the multiple-choice section. Implement these strategies as you work through practice exams, and with time and dedication, you should see improvement in your performance. Good luck on your AP Lang exam!