The AP® English Literature and Composition exam includes 2 types of questions: multiple-choice (MCQ) and free-response (FRQ). You have 3 hours to complete the exam. The MCQ section accounts for 45% of the total score, while the FRQ section makes up 55%. The scores from both sections are combined to determine the final composite score.
The test is graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 3 or higher considered a qualifying score by most colleges for credit or placement.
To maximize your performance, we recommend using our AP English Literature Course, which offers personalized study tools and practice questions that align with the exam structure.
Let's break down the scoring guidelines for each section of the AP Lit exam:
Multiple-Choice Questions
This section consists of 55 multiple-choice questions, and you get 1 hour to complete them. Each question has 4 answer choices. There are no penalties for incorrect or unanswered questions, so if you are unsure about an answer, make an educated guess.
Each correct answer earns approximately 1 point. The total score for this section is calculated by adding all the points from the correct responses.
Free-Response Questions
You have 2 hours to answer 3 free-response questions. Two AP graders will grade each essay answer on a scale of 0 to 6. According to College Board®, essays are evaluated holistically, considering substance, style, and mechanics. If both readers assign the same score, it becomes final. If they disagree, a third reader determines the final score.
AP Literature Scoring Guidelines
The AP Literature FRQs are graded according to College Board's analytical rubric:
| Reporting Category | Points | Scoring Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Row A: Thesis | 0-1 points |
|
| Row B: Evidence and Commentary | 0-4 points |
|
| Row C: Sophistication | 0-1 points |
|
| FRQ Question 1 | FRQ Question 2 | FRQ Question 3 | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Row A | Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation of the poem. | Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation of the passage. | Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation of the selected work. | 1 |
| Row B | Provide evidence and commentary | Provide evidence and commentary | Provide evidence and commentary | 1 to 4 |
| Row C | Demonstrate sophistication of thought and/or develop a complex literary argument. | Demonstrate sophistication of thought and/or develop a complex literary argument. | Demonstrate sophistication of thought and/or develop a complex literary argument. | 1 |
AP English Literature Scoring Table
Final results will not include your composite score or even the individual score for each exam section. You will only see your AP scaled score ranging from 1 to 5. Each score represents a certain degree of performance. Colleges use these results to determine who is eligible for college credit and placement. The table below shows the prospective college grade equivalent for AP scores:
| AP Exam Score | College Grade Equivalent | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | A+ or A | Extremely well qualified |
| 4 | A-, B+, or B | Very well qualified |
| 3 | B-, C+, or C | Qualified |
| 2 | — | Possibly Qualified |
| 1 | — | No recommendation |
Most institutions do not consider scores below 3 when making admissions or scholarship decisions. Always double-check the minimum requirements of the colleges you want to apply to since some require a higher score for credit.
To focus on areas where you need the most improvement, use our AP English Literature Study Guide. Designed to optimize your study time, this guide targets essential material and ensures you're ready to achieve your best possible score.
AP Lit Score Distribution
In May 2024, 389,272 students took the AP English Literature and Composition exam, with a mean score of 3.16. The score distribution was as follows:
| Score | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Students | % of Students | No. of Students | % of Students | No. of Students | % of Students | No. of Students | % of Students | No. of Students | % of Students | |
| 5 | 53,268 | 13.7% | 53,092 | 14.9% | 57,436 | 16.9% | 15,846 | 4.9% | 31,030 | 9.3% |
| 4 | 104,672 | 26.9% | 98,970 | 27.8% | 92,549 | 27.3% | 38,505 | 12.0% | 57,642 | 17.3% |
| 3 | 123,961 | 31.8% | 122,774 | 34.5% | 114,510 | 33.7% | 86,502 | 26.9% | 111,903 | 33.5% |
| 2 | 64,223 | 16.5% | 51,129 | 14.4% | 47,956 | 14.1% | 119,771 | 37.3% | 92,700 | 27.8% |
| 1 | 43,148 | 11.1% | 30,078 | 8.4% | 26,950 | 7.9% | 60,405 | 18.8% | 40,705 | 12.2% |
| Success Rate | 72.4% | 77.2% | 77.9% | 43.8% | 60.1% | |||||
Approximately 72.4% of students scored a 3 or higher in 2024, which is generally considered a qualifying score for college credit or advanced placement, depending on an institution's policies.
Minimum Score Requirements for College Credits
Most institutions require a minimum score of 3 to qualify for college credit or scholarships. Here is a list of some universities' minimum AP Lit scores for course credits:
| Institution | AP Score | AP Recognition | Equivalent Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 5 | - | - | 8 credits |
| University of California, Berkeley | 3/4/5 | Credit | UC-E/H | 5.3 semester units |
| Yale University | 5 | Credit | ENGL 114, ENGL 115 | 1 credit |
| Princeton University | 5 | Credit + Placement |
- | 1 credit |
| Columbia University | 5 | Credit + Placement |
- | 3 credits |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 4/5 | Credit + Placement |
ENGCOMP 3 | 8 credits |
| 3 | - | 8 credits | ||
| University of Chicago | 5 | Credit + Placement |
- | 100 units general elective credit |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 4/5 | Credit + Placement |
- | 3 credits |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a good AP English Literature score?
The College Board considers a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam as qualified. However, it regards scores of 4 or 5 as impressive AP scores.
What is the average AP English Literature score?
The average AP English Literature score for 2024 was 3.16. Based on historical data (2020-24), the AP English Lit scores have averaged between 2.84 and 3.16.
Why are AP English Literature scores curved?
The College Board curves AP exams, including AP English Literature, each year to maintain grading consistency. This process ensures that scores accurately reflect the rigor of college-level courses.
Curving also standardizes grading across different testing formats, such as paper-based and digital exams, ensuring fairness and comparability. As a result, AP exam scores consistently align with college-level grading standards, providing a reliable measure of student performance.
How do I get a 5 on AP English Literature?
There is no secret to getting a 5 in AP English Literature. Applied learning, solid study habits, and purposeful practice are the only time-tested ways of getting a 5 on your exam. Strong critical reading, literary analysis, and essay writing abilities are the core skills you need to master for this exam.
When will the AP English Literature scores be released in 2025?
The AP English Literature exam results for 2025 are expected to be released in July. Students can access their scores online through their College Board accounts.
References
- Past AP English Literature and Composition Score Distributions. (2024). AP Students. College Board. Retrieved on January 16, 2025 from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions/ap-english-literature-and-composition
- 2024 Chief Reader Report - AP English Literature and Composition: Set 1. (2024). AP Students. College Board. Retrieved on January 16, 2025 from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap24-cr-report-english-literature-set-1.pdf
- AP Credit Policy Search. (2024). AP Students. College Board. Retrieved on January 16, 2025 from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies
Read More About the AP English Literature
Don't get overwhelmed with the AP English Lit exam format. We'll help you understand its structure, question types, scoring, and everything else you'll need to know!
AP English Literature Course and Exam DescriptionWant to know what's in the AP English Lit Course and Exam Description? Check out UWorld's course description, including a summary of all the units, and key concepts.
AP English Literature Study Plan & TipsTrying to score 5 in AP English Literature exam? We'll walk you through our step-by-step study guide with all the tactics and resources you need to master your exam.
Best AP English Literature Study Guide ComparisonCompare the best AP English Literature study guides! See how Kaplan, Barron's, and Princeton Review stack up against UWorld for comprehensive exam prep.
Best AP English Literature Prep Course ReviewDiscover the best AP Literature prep courses available. Compare key features, pricings, reviews, and benefits to select the course that best fits your learning.
How to Self-Study for AP English LiteratureWant to ace AP English Lit on your own? Follow this expert self-study guide with tips, tricks, and tools to prepare effectively for the exam.
