Techniques for AP Lit Multiple Choice?

Hi everyone, just a stressed junior here. I've been hitting a wall with the multiple choice section of the AP Lit practice tests. Do you have any strategies or tips that could help me improve my score?

It's perfectly normal to feel a bit of stress about the multiple choice section on AP Lit - they can definitely be challenging! Here are some strategies that can be fruitful for you:

1. Carefully Read Questions: Start with understanding the question before jumping into the passage. This approach is helpful because it allows you to focus on what the question is asking and look for those specific details while reading.

2. Note Keywords: Keep an eye out for keywords in both the passage and the questions. Words like "however," "except," "not," etc., can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence.

3. Eliminate Incorrect Answers: On multiple choice tests, eliminating answers you know are wrong can really improve your score. This strategy takes advantage of the fact that the right answer is there already - you just need to find it!

4. Make Predictions: Try to predict what the answer might be before even looking at the answer choices. After reading the question and looking for evidence in the passage, you should have an idea of what it is asking. This can prevent you from being deceived by plausible but incorrect choices.

5. Time Management: Don't get stuck on any one question. If you're having trouble, it's fine to move on and come back to it later. It's more optimal to answer all the questions you can correctly than to leave some unanswered because you ran out of time.

6. Practice: Lastly, the best strategy is practice! The more you get familiar with the format of the test and the types of questions asked, the more confidence you'll gain. Using resources like AP Prep books that have practice tests and explaining why certain answers are correct can be invaluable.

Remember that it's okay to feel stressed and challenged - that's often a sign that you're learning and pushing yourself! Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll see improvement over time. Good luck!