If you’re interested in learning more about this course, this article is a great place to start. It may help you decide whether AP Lit is the right course for you, and by the end of this guide, you should have all the information you need to get started on the path toward the AP English Literature and Composition course and exam.
AP English Literature and Composition Equivalent Course & Eligibility
AP English Literature and Composition is a year-long course that does not require any prerequisite classes. By the end of AP Lit, students should be able to understand and interpret college-level literature and produce grammatically accurate written responses. Before diving into the details of the AP Lit exam, let’s address a few quick questions:
What Grade Should You Take AP English Literature?
High school students often take AP Literature during their senior year, although this may vary by school.
What College Course Is Equivalent to AP English Literature?
The AP English Literature and Composition course is equivalent to an introductory college-level literature and writing course, typically taken during the sophomore or junior year of college.
Can I take AP Lit without taking AP Lang?
Yes, you can. However, AP Lit is generally taken after AP Lang due to its more rigorous curriculum. In some schools, you may only be allowed to take one of these courses during your senior year, requiring you to choose between the two.
Is AP Lit a One-Semester Course or a Dual-Credit Course in High School?
As mentioned earlier, AP Lit is a year-long course. In some cases, you may opt to take it as a dual credit opportunity (earning both high school and college credit). The option varies by school, so you should consult with your high school coordinator to determine if AP Lit can serve as a dual credit course for you.
What Is on the AP English Literature Exam?
The AP English Literature exam evaluates the course’s topics, concepts, and skills as defined by the College Board®. Topics covered in the course include works of fiction, poetry, and drama from different time periods and civilizations. You'll read literary works and write essays to understand how literature reflects a variety of experiences, institutions, and social structures.
The key concepts you will learn in this course are:
- How to thoroughly read a text to form inferences and draw conclusions from it
- Analyzing an author's writing approach and understanding how their word choices affect the overall text
- Interpreting the overall meaning of a text
- Presenting your interpretation of a text and making a case for it in a written response
The course’s content is divided into a sequence of logically ordered units. The College Board created this sequence using instructor feedback, high school and college courses, and literary texts. Three genre-based recurrent modules group the course’s units to best develop your skills and knowledge. The AP Lit course framework outlines what you need to know to excel in the course and on the exam.
There are a total of nine units in the AP English Literature and Composition curriculum. Each unit carries a specific weight on the exam.
| Units | Exam Weight |
|---|---|
| Units 1, 4, and 7: Short Fiction | 42%–49% |
| Units 2, 5, and 8: Poetry | 36%–45% |
| Units 3, 6, and 9: Longer Fiction or Drama | 15%–18% |
To discover more detailed information regarding these units, topics, and key concepts, check out our AP English Literature Course Description page. Here is a list of the 6 Big Ideas covered in your AP English Literature and Composition course:
- Character
- Setting
- Structure
- Narration
- Figurative Language
- Literary Argumentation
How Much Work Is AP English Literature?
This question varies from student to student based on personal experience. While preparing for the exam, most students report reading at least five complete works of fiction during the semester, including novels and plays. However, there is no specifically required number of books.
The nature of the course lends itself to numerous assignments that involve extensive reading and writing. Reading literature from a diverse range of origins, authors, and time periods is crucial, despite how challenging it may initially seem. You’ll also need to read many poems, as they constitute a significant portion of the exam. Out of the five excerpts of prose and poetry on the exam, at least two are always poetry passages.
2025 AP English Literature Exam Format
The AP English Literature and Composition exam evaluates a student's mastery of the course curriculum’s skills and knowledge. The exam lasts 3 hours and consists of 55 multiple-choice (MCQ) and 3 free-response questions (FRQ). Here's a quick summary of the exam format. For more information, including the exam weight and timing, check out our AP English Literature exam format.
| Section | Question Type | No. of Questions | Exam Weight | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | MCQ | 55 | 45% | 1 hr |
| II | FRQ | 3 | 55% | 2 hrs |
Why Should You Take AP English Literature?
Throughout AP Lit, you’ll study full plays, works of fiction, and several sets of poems. You will study all the compositions in–or translated into–English, exposing you to a broader range of literary works, authors, and styles worldwide. AP English Literature and Composition helps you develop analytical and writing skills while earning potential college credit. To enhance your preparation, consider enrolling in UWorld’s AP English Literature online course, offering expert guidance and practice materials tailored to boost your performance.Here are some key benefits:
-
College Credits and a Strong Foundation:
Passing the AP exam can earn you college credit and advanced placement. A score of 3 or higher also indicates college readiness and is linked to better academic outcomes.
-
Critical Thinking, Reading, and Analytical Skills:
AP Lit enhances your ability to read critically, think clearly, and write effectively—skills that are invaluable in any academic or professional field.
-
Understanding Social and Historical Contexts:
You’ll explore how literature reflects social and historical values, learning to interpret works with attention to both textual details and cultural context.
What Score Do I Need for College Credit?
Each college has its own criteria for determining if specific AP exam scores demonstrate sufficient college readiness. While many colleges award credit for a score of 3, which is considered passing, some institutions may require a score of 4 or 5 to grant credit. Be sure to check the AP credit policies of your prospective colleges before applying.
Should I Take AP English Literature?
Knowing your school's success rates for AP English Lit can give you an idea of whether your school has the academic resources to help students excel in it. Speaking with your high school’s seniors and AP teachers is a great way to better understand what to expect from the class. That being said, the most important factor to consider is whether your learning aptitude, study habits, and future career goals align with the rigorous expectations of the AP Lit course and exam.
This course may be especially difficult for students who have a tough time understanding poetry, drama, and/or fiction. Students who struggle with producing interpretations of literary works and composing written replies in a short period of time may also find AP Lit too difficult. Practicing with UWorld’s AP English Lit Practice Questions can help you build confidence and refine the skills needed to succeed in the course and exam.
Having said that, consider a couple of pointers to decide whether this course would be a right fit for you:
- What are your future college major and career goals?
- Which other AP courses are you considering? AP Lit is a demanding course. Consider this as you plan your AP schedule, so as not to burn yourself out.
Is AP English Literature Hard?
Deciding whether to enroll in AP English Literature and Composition can be challenging. Since terms like "hard" and "difficult" are subjective, it is impossible to provide a universal answer. However, some students may find this course more challenging than others due to the specific skill sets it requires. To better understand the difficulty of AP English Literature, let's examine some facts, including the AP Lit score distributions over the past 5 years:
| AP Score | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13.7% | 15% | 16.9% | 5% | 9% |
| 4 | 26.9% | 28% | 27.3% | 12% | 17% |
| 3 | 31.8% | 34% | 33.7% | 27% | 34% |
| 2 | 16.5% | 14% | 14.1% | 39% | 28% |
| 1 | 11.1% | 9% | 7.9% | 17% | 12% |
These distributions resemble a true bell curve more than they have in prior years, with fewer students receiving top 4 and 5 marks. In terms of statistics, getting a 4+ on AP Lit is more difficult than getting a 4+ on AP Language.
AP English Language vs. AP Literature: Which One Is Harder?
The primary difference between AP Literature and AP Language lies in its focus. AP Literature places a greater emphasis on literature and poetry, while AP Language covers a broader range of topics and focuses more on analyzing arguments and rhetorical techniques in nonfiction works.
Is a College English Literature Course Harder Than AP English Literature and Composition?
Students who have completed AP English Language and Composition often find it challenging to choose between AP English Literature and College Preparatory English Literature for their senior year due to the significant differences in rigor.
AP Lit is typically taken after AP Lang and is known for its more demanding curriculum. The course focuses on evaluating various texts and emphasizes reading over writing. AP Literature is considered one of the most challenging AP courses. Many students who usually earn an A in a college English Literature course may receive a B in AP English Literature and Composition.
AP English Literature Review Tips
Scoring a 3 or higher on the AP English Literature and Composition exam is achievable with hard work and persistence. For instance, while only 44% of students earned a score of 3 or above in 2021, the numbers have significantly improved in recent years. Over 77% of students achieved a score of 3 or higher in 2022, followed by 72% in 2023 and 2024.
These figures show that with consistent effort and practice, success is well within reach. Don’t let previous statistics discourage you — dedication and preparation can make all the difference.
These figures show that with consistent effort and practice, success is well within reach. Don’t let previous statistics discourage you—dedication and preparation can make all the difference. Practice is the greatest approach to earning a 5 on the AP English Literature exam. At UWorld, we have put together a set of AP English Literature practice exams, AP Literature prose essay samples, test-taking techniques, and customized flashcards that will help you revise and practice the subject better. To learn more about AP English Literature, you can go through our AP English Literature Study Guide.
Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)
What should I bring to the AP English Literature exam?
Since AP English Literature is a digital exam, make sure to bring the following items on exam day:
Required Items:
- A fully charged device and power cord
- College Board account login details
- A school-issued or government-issued photo ID (required if testing at a school other than your own)
- Pens or pencils for writing on school-provided scratch paper
- A watch (non-smart) to track time
Optional Items:
- An external mouse (for convenience)
- External keyboard:
- Required if using a tablet or iPad
- Not allowed for laptops
For a complete list of what to bring (and what to leave home) on exam day, please refer to the College Board’s AP Exam Policies and Accommodations.
Where can I find past AP English Literature exam questions?
You can find past AP English Literature and Composition essay questions on the College Board website. Multiple-choice practice questions are harder to find and are not posted by the College Board on their website.
When is the 2025 AP English Literature exam?
The AP English Literature and Composition exam is scheduled for May 7, 2025, at 8 a.m. local time.
What happens if you don’t score well on the AP English Lit Exam?
Not scoring well on the AP English Lit exam does not impact your high school grade point average (GPA). Your GPA is determined by your performance in the course throughout the academic year, not by your AP exam score. Remember, your AP exam score is separate from your course grade and is primarily used for college credit or placement decisions.
When do students usually take AP English Literature?
AP English Literature is normally taken during your junior or senior year of high school. The course has no prerequisites, so you can take it whenever you feel ready. However, most students wait until they have developed strong time management and study skills, as AP Lit is one of the most time-intensive AP courses.
How much does the AP English Literature exam cost?
AP exam fees are $99 per exam if taken in the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories. The cost is $129 per exam, however, if taken outside these areas.
Can you self-study for the AP English Literature exam?
Yes. Some students prefer to self-study since the AP English Lit exam is not a content-heavy course but focuses on skills; however, the lack of guidance may affect your preparation.
References
- (2024). Past AP English Literature and Composition Score Distributions. AP Students. College Board. Retrieved on January 13, 2025 from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions/ap-english-literature-and-composition
- (2024). AP English Literature and Composition. College Board. Retrieved on January 13, 2025 from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-literature-and-composition/assessment
- (2024, Fall). AP English Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description. College Board. Retrieved on January 13, 2025 from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-english-literature-and-composition-course-and-exam-description.pdf
- (2024). What Students Should and Should Not Bring. AP Central. College Board. Retrieved on January 13, 2025 from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/administering-exams/preparing-for-exam-day/what-students-can-cannot-bring
Read More About the AP English Literature Exam
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