The AP® English Language and Composition exam is one of the most popular and frequently taken AP exams. It tests your ability to read and analyze prose arguments and your skill in writing college-level argument and analysis essays.
While the AP Lang exam can be challenging, the most effective way to improve your score is to practice reading and answering questions similar to those on the test. Here’s how to achieve your dream score.
How to Study for the AP Lang Exam
Get the most out of your preparation for the AP English Language exam. From the moment you enroll in an AP Lang course until exam day, you can take the following steps to prepare and improve your chances of achieving your dream score.
How to Pass AP English Language
The number of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) you answer correctly, along with the marks you receive on the free-response questions (FRQs), determines your overall score on the AP Lang exam. The scoring operates on a sliding scale, so the more MCQs you answer correctly, the lower the scores you need on the essays to achieve a 3 or higher. Conversely, if you have higher FRQ scores, you can afford to answer more MCQs incorrectly and still pass. This is why the guidelines for achieving scores can vary from student to student.
How to Do Well on the AP English Language Exam
To achieve a minimum score of 3 on the AP Lang exam, you need to correctly answer at least 55% of the MCQs and score a 4 on 1 FRQ and a 3 on the other 2 FRQs.
To attain a 4 on the AP Lang exam, you should correctly answer about 60% of the MCQs and score a 4 on all the FRQs.
How to Get a 5 on the AP Lang Exam
Achieving a score of 5 on the AP Lang exam requires correctly answering about 70% of the MCQs and scoring a 5 on all the FRQs.
How to Prepare for the AP English Language Class
Most students take the AP Lang class during their junior year of high school. To improve your chances of earning a good grade and performing well on the exam, you can start preparing over the summer.
Here are some suggestions to get a head start on success:
- Talk to your AP Lang teacher about class expectations and the essential skills and knowledge you will need for the next year.
- Many schools require summer reading for AP English students to improve their reading skills. Check if your school has this requirement, and start reading a book a month before school begins. If there is no summer reading requirement through your school, read or listen to national and world news to stay informed about current events, which you can use as evidence in the argument essay during the exam.
- Review our easy-to-read guide on the AP English Language course and exam description to learn more about the course.
- Familiarize yourself with common rhetorical terms such as speaker, audience, exigence, context, diction, syntax, qualifier, claim, concession, counterargument, refute, underscore, and undermine.
- Read contemporary nonfiction and speeches, as well as older speeches from the 1800s or earlier, to reinforce what you’ve learned in previous English classes. Use your own words to express the speakers’ messages and identify their positions. This practice will help you read and analyze arguments quickly and accurately on the exam.
How to Improve My Score from a 3 to a 4 on the AP English Language Exam
The easiest way to improve your score from a 3 to a 4 on the AP Lang exam is to enhance your essay scores on the synthesis and argument FRQs. Here are some tips to help you:
Synthesis FRQ
- Don't read all 6 or 7 sources. You only need evidence from 3 sources in your essay. Instead of reading all the sources, focus on writing a well-developed essay.
- The prompt for this essay will present a topic that lacks a clear yes or no, or a good or bad opinion. It will have complexity. Every perspective will contain positive and negative aspects. In your essay, acknowledge the complexity of the topic, but express a more opinionated stance on 1 perspective over the other. In other words, aim for 70% of your essay to reflect your opinion and 30% to address the opposing viewpoint. Avoid writing a 50/50 essay that attempts to balance both sides.
- Select 2 pieces of evidence to support your argument and 1 from the opposition to use as a concession or to refute. This strategy will earn points for including 3 pieces of evidence and allow you to write a couple of strong body paragraphs.
Argument FRQ
- If you have trouble finding evidence for this essay, try using the ripple effect. Start with examples of events and situations you are familiar with, then expand outward. Think of a personal example, an example from someone you know, or something you've observed, then consider a famous, influential, or historical figure. Valid examples can come from art, sports, music, gaming, and entertainment. They don't always have to come from your school curriculum.
- To receive 1 point, you must compose a thesis. If you explain how 1 example supports your point, you will earn 2 points in the evidence and commentary category. Elaborating on how 2 examples reinforce your point can help you earn 3 points for evidence and commentary. Using more than 2 examples may be necessary to secure 4 points for evidence and commentary, ultimately earning you a 5 on this FRQ.
- Avoid getting lost in the details of your examples. Instead, focus on the aspects that support your point and dedicate your efforts to explaining how your examples substantiate it.
How to Review for the AP English Language Exam
You can review FRQ prompts, sample essays, and scoring commentaries from previous exams to prepare for the AP English Lang exam. The sample questions on the “how to approach AP English Language MCQs” page are also a good place to start your preparation. While it does not provide explanations, it does list the correct answers.
How to Self-Study AP English Language
Self-studying for AP English Lang is common among home-schooled students. It presents 2 main challenges: the lack of an AP teacher to guide you through difficult concepts and the absence of access to AP Classroom practice questions. However, you can still prepare effectively for the exam.
Most students learn best by combining instructor explanations with MCQ and essay practice. We recommend doing both.
- Start by watching videos focused on MCQ strategies, as many students find this section the most challenging.
- Practice with MCQs from online resources or printed books such as UWorld’s AP English Language study guide. Begin at your own pace. As you gain confidence, time yourself to read a passage and answer the questions at a rate of about 1 minute per question. For example, if there are 10 questions about a passage, try to read the passage and answer all questions in 10 minutes.
- After working on the MCQ section, watch videos about 1 type of FRQ.
- Write a practice essay to simulate the exam experience. Initially, take as much time as you need. Later, practice writing your essays in 40 minutes, as required on the exam.
- Continue this process until you understand all 3 FRQ types and can write one in 40 minutes.
You may also find it helpful to consult with a friend who has previously taken the AP Lang exam for advice. Several online communities, such as the APStudents Reddit group, are eager to offer suggestions on successful self-study.
AP English Language and Composition Exam Tips
Studying for the AP English Lang exam at the last minute is challenging because it tests specific skills developed throughout your education: reading and writing. Cramming just before the exam is like training for a marathon by starting a running regimen a month before the race! However, you can improve your chances of success by taking action in the 1-2 months leading up to the exam.
How to Plan an AP English Language Study Schedule
- Each week, read 2 speeches — 1 from before 1900 and 1 from after 1900 — and practice rewriting the paragraphs. This will help you become familiar with the unusual sentence structures, common in many older writings. Often, the most challenging aspect of reading older passages is the archaic language, which is less common today. Paraphrasing speeches will also expand your vocabulary as you look up unfamiliar words. A great resource for finding numerous speeches to practice with is the American Rhetoric website.
- Practice 2 sets of MCQs weekly – 1 on a reading selection and 1 on a writing passage. You can choose these from a study workbook or online question bank you've purchased, or ask your teacher for practice questions from AP Classroom. Be sure to read the explanations that accompany the answers to get the most out of your practice and pick up some helpful tips along the way. Invest in practice material by opting for UWorld’s AP Language practice test qbank that covers exam-level questions with detailed explanations.
- Write an essay using a previous AP Lang exam FRQ once a week. Compare your response to the rubric and sample essays on the College Board® website to score yourself. Be sure to write an equal number of essays for all 3 types of FRQs.
- Pay close attention to your classwork in your AP English Lang class. Most teachers start intensive exam preparation right after spring break. Everything you do in class will be aimed at getting you ready, so take advantage of the practice and treat every assignment seriously.
- Adopt any suggested tips from the 2-month schedule that you can realistically implement in a month. It will all depend on how many AP classes you take and your available free time.
- Review common literary terms that appear on the AP exam. Don't worry about memorizing exact definitions, as you won't be tested on that. Terms are typically part of a question stem or answer. Understanding their meaning will be helpful, but often, you can arrive at the correct answer without knowing them. For a structured approach to mastering key concepts, check out our AP English Language Study Guide.
- Start practicing answering MCQs and writing FRQs with a timer. A significant challenge of the AP Lang exam is the need to read, think, and write quickly. To build your confidence, get used to the time constraints you'll face on the exam.
- Attend any extra study sessions scheduled by your teacher. If they are not hosting study sessions, ask to arrange a time to work together on your reading and writing skills.
How Much Time Do You Need to Dedicate to the AP English Language Exam to Score a 3, a 4, or a 5?
The time needed to prepare for the AP English Language exam and achieve a score of 3, 4, or 5 can vary based on factors such as your current proficiency level, study habits, prior experience with the content, and the quality of your in-class instruction. To score a 3 or higher, aim to dedicate at least 2-4 hours weekly for consistent preparation leading up to the exam.
Be sure to split your time among the following practice categories:
- Reading contemporary and classic prose nonfiction
- Answering MCQs and writing FRQ responses
- Untimed practice and timed practice
Starting early, establishing a study schedule, and maintaining consistent effort are essential steps to increasing your chances of success. Enroll in our AP English Language Course for expert guidance and effective study strategies.
AP English Language Study Materials
Here's a list of all the study resources mentioned in this AP Lang guide.
- UWorld AP English Lang question bank: AP-level MCQs with in-depth answer explanations to help you learn from your mistakes
- AP Classroom: Offered by College Board and includes actual past AP test questions (AP enrollment is required for access)
- AP Course Description Guide: Details the test structure, covered skills, and provides practice questions
- Past AP Questions: Lists prompts, sample essays, and commentaries to guide your essay responses
- AP Daily Videos: Available on YouTube, offering valuable instruction from experienced AP teachers
- The Garden of English: A website run by a respected AP English teacher featuring concise videos and tips
Related Topics
Answering FRQs can be tough at times! See our how-to guide to approaching AP English Language FRQs, including sample questions and strategies to master your exam.
How to Approach AP English Language: Multiple Choice QuestionsAnswering MCQs appears simple, but the correct answer can differ by a small margin. Here, we'll show you how to approach the right answer in AP English Language MCQs.
About the AP English Language ExamWant to get the ins and outs of the AP English Language exam in a single document? Here’s the complete exam guide, where you learn what’s on the exam, prerequisites, etc.
Best AP English Language Study Guide ComparisonCompare the best AP Eng Lang study guides! See how Kaplan, Barron's, and Princeton Review stack up against UWorld for comprehensive exam prep.
Best AP English Language Prep Course ReviewSearching for top AP Eng Lang prep courses? Read this review to compare the best courses and choose the perfect one for your success.
How to Self-Study for AP English LanguageWant to ace AP English Language & Composition on your own? Follow this expert self-study guide with tips, tricks, and tools to prepare effectively for the exam.
References
- (2024). About the Exam. AP English Language and Composition. College Board. Retrieved on February 13, 2025 from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-language-and-composition/assessment
- (2024). Past AP English Language and Composition Score Distributions. College Board. Retrieved on February 13, 2025 from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-score-distributions-by-subject-2023.pdf
