Understanding AP Lit Exam Format

Hey everyone, I aim to take the AP Lit exam by the end of this upcoming academic year. I'm curious about the format of the exam. What should I expect? Are there any resources where I can get a clearer understanding of the format? Thanks, I appreciate the help!

The AP Literature and Composition exam, colloquially known as AP Lit, is divided into two sections: multiple-choice and free-response. In structure, the exam totals 3 hours, but it's split as follows:

1. Multiple-Choice Section: This section consists of about 55 questions that you have 60 minutes to answer. The questions cover interpretation of several prose and poetry passages, and focus on elements like theme, style, character, and meaning.

2. Free-Response Section: This section includes three types of essays that should be completed in 2 hours:

(a) A literary analysis of a provided poem.

(b) A literary analysis of a provided passage of prose fiction (often a short story or an excerpt from a long novel).

(c) An open essay question, where you choose a novel or play of literary merit to discuss in respect to a provided prompt.

For study material, you might find the College Board's website helpful. They offer examples of past free-response questions which can give you a good sense of what to anticipate and how to prepare. Additionally, there are numerous resources such as practice questions and exam tips available. Online learning portals like Khan Academy also provide comprehensive resources for understanding and training for the AP Lit exam.

Remember to make good use of your textbook and the novels, plays, and poems you've studied throughout the year, too. Developing strong analysis skills and understanding how to decipher meaning from different types of texts is incredibly beneficial, not just for the exam but for your long-term writing abilities as well.

Good luck with your preparation and the exam!