call us at 877-888-6717

Test Preparation > AP > English
 
See also SAT Subject Literature
 Test Date:  AP English Language & Composition - 8AM, Thursday, 05/12/10
 Test Date:  AP English Literature & Composition - 8AM, Thursday, 05/06/10

AP English consists of two tests:  AP English Language & Composition and AP Literature & Composition.  AP Language focuses on language structure and writing, whereas AP Literature focuses on analyzing and interpreting classical and contemporary literature.  Both exams rank among the most popular (over 330,000 tests takers each in '09) .  Your chance of attaining a score of 4 or 5 on either test is between 25-30%. 2    The average scores are quite similar as well, with AP Language averaging 2.8 and AP Literature averaging 2.9.    AP Language is usually taken near the end of the junior year and AP Literature is taken at the end of the senior year. 


The AP Language and Composition exam requires the student to apply highly developed reading and writing skills against often very difficult, non-contemporary literature.  Essay graders are looking for well developed, organized, thoughtful, grammatically sound and stylized prose.

AP Language consists of two sections.  Section 1 is similar to the critical reading section of the SAT, albeit much more difficult.  It includes four reading passages, approximately 55 questions, and a time limit of 60 minutes.  Section 1 represents 45% of the final grade.  Section 2 consists of three essays.  The first essay is the "synthesis essay", and includes a mandatory 15-minute reading period.  Thereafter, the synthesis essay, plus the two other essays must be completed in 120 minutes.  Section 2 represents 55% of the final grade. 1

We have tutors who can help with AP English.  Rates average in the low 40s/hour.   CALL 1-877-888-6717, or CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A CLIENT PROFILE

 AP English Language & Composition   2
Exam
Grade
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
N % N % N % N % N %
5 35313 10.5 26602 8.7 25840 9.2 13850 5.4 17315 7.5
4 64138 19.0 55770 18.2 51720 18.3 40728 15.9 37805 16.4
3 101955 30.2 96085 31.4 88529 31.4 76107 29.6 75080 32.5
2 95739 28.4 93381 30.5 85517 30.3 94093 36.7 76799 33.3
1 40256 11.9 34641 11.3 30624 10.9 31944 12.4 23710 10.3
TOT 337441   306479   282230   256722   230709  
3 + 201446 59.7 178457 58.2 166089 58.8 130685 50.9 130200 56.4
4 + 99451 29.5 82372 26.9 77560 27.5 54578 21.3 55120 23.9
Ave. 2.88   2.84   2.85   2.65   2.78  
  TOT - Total Test Takers,    3+ - All scores 3 and above,    4+ - All scores 4 and above

Top of the page

AP Literature & Composition requires students to read, interpret and evaluate classical and contemporary literature from every genre as far back at the 16th century. The exam will measure a student's awareness of connotation, metaphor, irony and paradox.  It will also measure their knowledge of patterns and shifts in syntax, tone, and point of view. In addition, the student must recognize a work's structure, style, and themes as well as the use of figurative language, imagery and symbolism. The student must demonstrate a full command of standard written English, including the use of advanced vocabulary, proper grammar, clear transitions, diction, syntax and sentence variety. 1

Section 1 of the exam includes four to five reading passages, and approximately 55 corresponding multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 60 minutes.  Section 1 represents 45% of the final grade.  Section 2 consists of three essays that must be completed in 2 hours.  Essay #1 usually requires the student to analyze a poem or pair of poems.  Essay two is usually a book excerpt or a short story to be analyzed.  Essay #3 is an open-ended response question. The student is permitted to answer the question with reference to a provided list of literary texts as well as any notable piece of literature of the student's choosing.   Section 2 is worth 55% of the overall grade. 1

Given the enormous amount of material covered on the Advanced Placement exam, Charlotte Tutoring.com offers two standard tutoring programs that are structured to supplement a student either currently enrolled in an AP course, or who is otherwise demonstrably capable with AP-level English Literature & Composition and only needs a review:  

We have tutors who can help with all levels of English and our rates are competitive.   CALL 1-877-888-6717, or CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A CLIENT PROFILE

  AP English Literature & Composition Exam Grade  2
Exam
Grade
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
N % N % N % N % N %
5 24856 7.4 20871 6.5 20829 7.0 19890 7.1 21043 8.1
4 68083 20.5 63762 19.9 62283 20.9 58490 20.8 52405 20.1
3 102216 30.8 108758 33.9 99267 33.3 93609 24.3 88170 33.8
2 104055 31.3 97974 30.6 90050 30.2 83702 29.8 77501 29.7
1 33412 10.1 28993 9.1 26049 8.7 22720 8.1 21839 8.4
TOT 332352   320358   298478   271111   260958  
3 + 194885 58.6 193391 60.4 182379 61.1 174689 62.1 161618 61.9
4 + 92939 28.0 84633 26.4 83112 27.8 78380 28.9 73448 28.1
Ave. 2.84   2.84   2.87   2.89   2.90  
  TOT - Total Test Takers,    3+ - All scores 3 and above,    4+ - All scores 4 and above

Top of the page

  1. Wikipedia
  2. Collegeboard.com

  Charlotte Tutoring.com is not associated with collegeboard.com, or it's affiliates in any way.

 
© 2010 American Tutoring - All rights reserved.