What Is AP English Language Equivalent to and Who Can Take It?
AP English Language is a year-long course equivalent to an introductory, college-level literary analysis and composition course. Students taking AP English Language may take the optional exam in the spring, but it is not required. Most students who take the course take the exam at the end of the year to take advantage of the many benefits of scoring well on the exam.
You may also register to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in the spring without first taking the course. This option is most suitable for students who are already very proficient in English and have a solid understanding of the material, making them comfortable to self-study for the AP English Language exam.
The AP Language and Composition course teaches students to develop critical reading and writing skills, formulate arguments, and compose rhetoric. The course will challenge you to:
- Compose and revise evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing.
- Conduct a rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts.
- Analyze the choices writers make to influence audiences.
- Evaluate, synthesize, and cite sources to support your arguments and thesis statements.
- Read and interpret rhetorical elements in non-fiction texts from various disciplines and historical periods and analyze their importance in the given texts.
What Is on the AP English Language Exam?
The units in the AP English Language course are structured around the skills covered in the class. These course skills are organized into nine units that help students build up the analysis and writing skills needed for success on the AP Lang exam. The exam score is based on how well you do in these skill categories.
Both the multiple-choice (MCQ) and the free-response (FRQ) sections of the exam test your mastery over the eight skill categories specified by the College Board. The table below lists the skill categories and their respective weights in the MCQ section of the AP English Language and Composition exam:
| Skill Categories | Exam Weight |
|---|---|
| Rhetorical Situation: Reading | 11%–14% |
| Rhetorical Situation: Writing | 11%–14% |
| Claims and Evidence: Reading | 13%–16% |
| Claims and Evidence: Writing | 11%–14% |
| Reasoning and Organization: Reading | 13%–16% |
| Reasoning and Organization: Writing | 11%–14% |
| Style: Reading | 11%–14% |
| Style: Writing | 11%–14% |
Along with the course skills, you will be taught four fundamental themes that make up the AP English Language course. These themes are called big ideas by the College Board and you will come across these concepts repeatedly as you cover the course. Below is the list of the four Big Ideas covered in your AP English Language and Composition course:
- Rhetorical Situation (RHS)
- Claims and Evidence (CLE)
- Reasoning and Organization (REO)
- Style (STL)
To find detailed information regarding the units, topics, and key concepts, you can go through our AP English Language Course and Exam Description page.
AP English Language and Composition Exam Format for 2025
On the AP Language and Composition exam, students are assessed on how well they understand and apply the big ideas and skill categories outlined in the course framework. The exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long, with 45 MCQs in Section I and 3 FRQs in Section II. Below are the exam details, including the section weights and duration.
| Question Type | No. of Questions | Exam Weight | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Multiple-choice questions | 45 | 45% | 1 hour |
| Section II | Free-response questions | 3 | 55% | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
As you may already know, Section I of the exam features 45 MCQs administered over 1 hour and accounts for 45% of your total exam score.
These questions are designed to test specific reading and writing skills:
- 23 - 25 Reading questions asking students to read and analyze nonfiction texts.
- 20 - 22 Writing questions ask students to read, review, and rephrase a text.
Section II of the AP English Language and Composition exam features 3 FRQs administered over 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute reading period. This section is worth 55% of your total exam score.
The free-response prompts consist of the following question types:
- Question 1: Synthesis - After reading 6-7 texts about a topic (including visual and quantitative sources), you will have to write an argument that incorporates and cites at least three of the sources to support your thesis.
- Question 2: Rhetorical Analysis - You will read a nonfiction text and analyze how the author's choice of words contributes to the text's intended meaning and purpose.
- Question 3: Argument - You will create an evidence-based argument that responds to a given topic.
If you'd like to know about the AP Lang exam structure and question types in detail, our guide to the AP English Language and Composition exam format is here to help you.
Why Take AP English Language and Composition?
AP Language and Composition is one of the most popular AP courses students take in their junior year. But, you might be wondering, is it worth taking AP English Language? And if you decide to take it, how many college credits can you earn with a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP English Language exam? Here are a few advantages of taking the AP Lang course and exam:
- Taking AP English Language demonstrates to college admissions committees that you are ready for college-level coursework. Students who take AP classes are generally more prepared for the challenges of college than non-AP students.
- You'll be eligible for college credits at most public universities if you score a 3 or higher on your AP English Lang exam. This means you can potentially reduce the number of courses you need to complete during your college education. (Note: Score requirements for college credit vary from school to school, so be sure to research the policies of your target colleges or universities.)
- Earning college credit while still in high school could save you money on college tuition.
- AP English Language offers you a solid foundation and a headstart on college-level reading and writing skills and prepares you for the rigor of other college-level courses. Mastering the content taught in AP English Language will boost your confidence as you brace yourself for the challenge of higher education.
How Hard Is AP English Language?
The AP English Language exam falls within the average difficulty range compared to other exams. Notably, it boasts a higher passing rate when compared to numerous other courses that emphasize reading and writing skills. On the 2024 AP English Language exam, more than half of the students (54.6%) successfully scored a 3 or higher on the exam. The average score achieved by students was around 2.79.
| AP English Language Exam Score | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 9.8% | 10% | 10.4% | 9.1% |
| 4 | 21.4% | 20% | 21.1% | 22.9% |
| 3 | 23.5% | 26% | 24.2% | 25.8% |
| 2 | 28.8% | 29% | 29.8% | 29.3% |
| 1 | 16.6% | 15% | 14.5% | 12.9% |
| Pass rate (3 and above) | 54.6% | 56.1% | 55.7% | 57.7% |
More than 326,000 students earned a score of 3 or above in the 2024 AP English Lang exam.
Should I Take AP English Language or Literature?
In general, we recommend AP Lang to students interested in any career path, and AP Lit to students interested in reading, writing, and the humanities. Students will need to put in time and effort (plus read and write a lot) to do well in either class.
The main difference between AP Language and AP Literature is that AP Language covers and focuses on nonfictional literature like biographies, research articles, news, current affairs, as well as political and philosophical speeches. In contrast, AP Literature focuses on fictional literature like poetry, novels, and plays. In AP English Language and Composition, you will learn how to look at arguments and ways of using rhetoric in nonfiction works.
Check out our post on AP English Language vs AP English Literature if you need help figuring out the right course.
AP English Language Review Tips
Now that you have reviewed the AP English Language and Composition exam information, you may be intrigued to learn the most effective ways to prepare for the exam to earn a 3, 4, or 5 on test day. As with most high-stakes exams, practice is critical to proper preparation.
Using a high-quality resource like UWorld’s AP English Language and Composition prep course gives you an advantage in preparing for the exam because we provide:
- An extensive QBank with hundreds of exam-like questions and answer explanations
- A study guide with comprehensive coverage of the course contents and vivid illustrations
- Performance tracking to measure your progress and target areas that need improvement
Now that you know everything about the AP English Language and Composition exam and course, it’s time to start studying. Prepare with UWorld, focus on your studies, and follow a well-designed study plan to position yourself for success in the classroom, college, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I bring to the AP English Language exam?
You may bring the following items to the exam on exam day:
- A watch.
- A school-issued or government-issued photo ID (required if testing at a school other than your own).
- A fully charged device and its power cord.
- College Board account login details.
- Pens or pencils for writing on scratch paper provided by the school.
- Optional: An external mouse.
- External keyboard requirements: Must be used if testing on a tablet or iPad. Not allowed for students using a laptop.
Please refer to the College Board® AP Exam policies and accommodations for a complete list of what to bring to the exam.
Where can I find past AP English Language exam questions?
On the College Board website, you can see past AP English Language and Composition essay questions. The College Board does not post multiple-choice practice questions on its website, making them more challenging to find.
When is the AP English Language 2025 exam?
The AP English Language and Composition exam will be on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 8 a.m. local time.
What happens if you fail the AP English Language exam?
Your AP exam scores won’t impact your high school grade point average (GPA). The curriculum of your academic year will determine your GPA. While you will not earn college credits if you score below a 3 on the AP English Language exam, studies show that you will perform better in your introductory college English course.
When do students usually take AP English Language?
Many students take AP English Language before moving on to AP English Literature. Typically, students take AP English Language in their junior year and AP English Literature in their senior year.
How much does the AP English Language exam cost?
For 2025, AP exam fees are $99 if taken in the U.S., Canada, or US territories and $129 if taken outside the U.S. However, many schools pay for their students to take the exam.
References
- Past AP English Language and Composition Score Distributions. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions/ap-english-language-and-composition
- AP English Language course and exam description. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-english-language-and-composition-course-and-exam-description.pdf
- What Students Should and Should Not Bring. (2025). College Board. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/administering-exams/preparing-for-exam-day/what-students-can-cannot-bring
- 2025 AP Exam Dates. (n.d.). College Board. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/exam-dates#:~:text=The%202025%20AP%20Exams%20will,to%20report%20for%20the%20exams.
Read More About the AP English Language & Composition Exam
Knowing the exam format gives you a competitive edge. Explore this AP English Language format guide for a detailed breakdown of exam components, question types, and more.
AP English Language CEDLooking for a quick summary of the AP English Language Course and Exam Description? Here is an overview of all the exam units, topics, and essential course skills you need to know.
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