AP English Language & CompositionWhat The Princeton Review Says:

What the multiple choice section looks like 5 to 7 passages 5 to 12 questions per passage 50-55 questions total 60 minutes total = 8 – 12 minutes PER

PASSAGE (includes reading & answering)

At least one passage written before 1800 Little or no context or introduction given with the

passages

Focus on the Big Picture

DO NOT read the questions before reading the passage

Read the passage quickly for the “big picture” Read to determine the author’s goal, tone, and

point of view – take brief notes next to the passage as you read!

( USE: “subject, audience, and purpose” to help you find the goal, tone & P.O.V.)

The Two-Pass System

After reading the passage for the big picture: 1. Answer all of the easy questions first The “Big picture” questions are usually at the

beginning and (or) end of question set 2. Circle the “hard” questions in your test

booklet (when you can’t use POE) 3. ALWAYS Check your watch before going

back to answer the hard questions

Other Tips

Use the process of elimination (POE) to make educated guesses on some questions

On detail questions, always reread the sentence or section the question refers to

Also, always reread the sentences before and after it for context.

To Sum Up

Begin each passage by reading for the big picture.

Actively underline inside the text – or – take paraphrased notes next to each paragraph

Concentrate on the author’s goal (purpose), tone, and point of view.

To Sum Up

Do not read stubbornly; you do not need to understand or follow everything; some (even many) details can escape you — focus on the big picture of the passage.

Always return to the passage when multiple-choice questions refer to specific lines!!! (Do not try to answer by memory)

To Sum Up

Always read around the lines; the context of the lines is almost always very critical in determining the correct answer.

Pace yourself – but keep your eye on the time!!!

Remember the two-pass system.

To Sum Up

Also - Dividing the section into chunks for each passage should help you out.

Don’t forget about POE and educated guessing! If you can eliminate two answer choices, your chances of guessing correctly increases a lot.

AP English Language & Composition

What the

Cliffs Notes: AP English Language and Composition

review guide says:

What the Multiple Choice Section looks like: 60 minutes long Usually consists of approximately 55 questions Expect about 4 – 5 reading passages (about

300 – 800 words in length) Each passage is followed by 10 – 15 questions Passages may be up to 400 years old

NEW to the AP Lang. Test:

Beginning in 2007 – you can expect at least a couple of questions about footnotes

BE FAMILIAR WITH MLA CITATIONS!!! (Be able to decipher the type of source & the purpose of footnotes used by the author)

Suggested Testing Strategy:

1st – Skim the question stems BEFORE you read the passage 2nd – Read the passage ACTIVELY 3rd - Underline &/or paraphrase the passage as you go 4th – Read each question completely & carefully AFTER

you’ve read the passage 5th – Read every answer choice completely & carefully to

determine the best answer! Any questions you cannot use POE to answer quickly – circle them

& return to those questions if you have time!

Question Categories to Expect:

Questions about Rhetoric (syntax, diction, P.O.V., figurative language & its effect!)

Questions about the Author’s Meaning & Purpose (get inside the author’s head)

Questions about the Main Idea (The Big Picture, tone, theme, etc.)

Questions about Organization & Structure Questions about Rhetorical Modes (know the

difference between: Narration, Description, Argumentation, & Exposition)

Reasons Answers Could Be Wrong

1. Contradictory to the passage (can be ruled out if you’ve read the entire passage)

2. Irrelevant or Not Addressed in Passage (can be ruled out if you’ve read the entire passage)

3. Unreasonable (can usually be spotted quickly)

4. Too Vague/General or Too Specific (compare them to the question stem to see which answer they are asking for!)

To Sum Up:

TIME MANAGEMENT is crucial to making sure you complete the test

Read the Question Stems before the Passages Read the Passages – ACTIVELY Then read the Questions & Answer choices

COMPLETELY Use POE to rule out any of the 4 types of wrong

answers Choose the BEST answer available!

To Sum Up:

Make sure that you answer the questions that you are able to eliminate 2+ answers on FIRST

Then circle any questions that you are unsure about

Return to the circled questions AFTER you have completed every passage in the Multiple Choice Section

For More Information:

Hartzel, Richard. Cracking the AP English Language and Composition Exam. 2008 Edition. New York: Random House, 2008.

Swovelin, Barbara. Cliffs AP: English Language and Composition. 3rd Ed. Wiley Publishing, 2008.

Baron’s, Kaplan, and others also make excellent study guides.