How to Prepare for the AP English Language & Composition FRQs
Learn how to analyze AP Lang prompts and ace your essays with confidence. Prepare effectively and boost your exam performance with these 7 tips.
How to Prepare for the AP English Language & Composition FRQs
The AP English exam (“AP Lang,” for those in the know) test is coming up on May 14, 2024. If you use every day between now and then wisely, you can maximize your chance of success.
Here’s how: First, make sure you understand the test structure, format, and scoring rubric. Look at some sample FRQ questions, then practice, practice, practice. You can do this on your own, or with the help of a good resource book (see below!), or with an expert AP tutor.
Here are some key things you need to know along with some helpful hints on how to make the most of your study time.
How is the AP English Exam Scored?
The test is 3 hours and 15 minutes long. The first hour consists of short readings with multiple choice questions. In fact, 45% of the test score is based on your answers to those multiple choice questions.
The next section, scheduled to last 2 hours and 15 minutes, is worth the rest, or 55% of your score. It consists of three questions each of which you will answer in handwritten essay format. Called Free Response Questions (FRQs), each is different in both style and content. Your answers will be scored by a reader using a specific rubric given to them by the AP board. It’s helpful to understand both the types of questions you will face and the specific rubric being used to score your answers.
Understanding the FRQ Scoring Rubric
Each essay can receive a maximum of 6 points and will be graded based on specific “scoring guidelines.” The guidelines, in brief, are listed below:
Thesis (1 point): The writer offers a clear thesis that responds to the prompt with a defensible position. You will not get this point if you do not have a thesis, if your thesis simply restates the prompt, if your thesis does not address the question posed in the prompt but instead goes off topic, or it is not defensible.
Pro Tip: Be careful to keep your thesis focused and narrow enough that you can defend it well in the space and time provided.
Evidence and Commentary (0-4 points): The writer provides specific evidence to support their thesis and all their claims in their line of reasoning and consistently explains how the evidence supports that line of reasoning. In the Synthesis essay the writer must provide specific evidence from at least three of the provided sources to support all claims in a line of reasoning and consistently explain how the evidence supports that line of reasoning. In the Rhetorical Analysis the writer must also explain how multiple rhetorical choices in the passage contribute to the author’s argument, purpose or message. Writing that suffers from grammatical and/or mechanical errors that interfere with communication cannot earn the fourth point in this category.
Pro Tip: Create an outline of your argument before you start writing; this will help you decide the key points you want to make, identify evidence you can offer in support of each point, and determine the best order for making those points.
Sophistication (1 point): The writing demonstrates sophistication of thought and/or a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation.
Pro Tip: Creating an outline of your argument will also help make your writing more sophisticated; knowing what you want to say before you start writing allows you the freedom to focus on how you say it, with an eye to clear and compelling language and the nuances of the case you are making. Practice making outlines quickly and then using them to level up your writing. Diction and syntax count; so do the basics of grammar, spelling, and punctuation!
How to Prepare for the AP English Language FRQs
1. Learn the three different types of FRQs and scoring rubric.
Any time you start something new – a trip, a sport, or a hobby – you probably study up on what’s going to be involved and what you’ll need on the first day. The more you know about what you’re getting into, the better you will be able to hit the ground running. You’ll show up understanding what’s going to be expected of you and you’ll have the tools required for that first day.
An AP exam is no different. The more you understand how the test will work and what you will be asked to do, the more prepared you will be and the better you will do.
We’ve already laid out the overall structure of the test and explained the basic FRQ formats and scoring rubrics. Read them (maybe more than once!) until you’ve truly absorbed their meaning. You may also wish to look at supplemental resources that go into more depth, offering longer, more detailed explanations and numerous examples. Here are two of the best, in our expert tutor opinion:
Read the College Board’s FRQ scoring guidelines
Read Erica Meltzer’s book on the AP Lang exam, especially the FRQ section
2. Solidify your essay writing skills.
As a high school student, you probably have several years of analytical paper writing already under your belt. Ideally at least some of your teachers have given you valuable feedback on how to level up your writing. You have strengths and weaknesses, but bottom line – you know how to write a paper. So, you can take comfort that, at some level, this test is just more of the same.
One of the best things you can do to prepare for the AP Lang test is review what you’ve learned from those past essay-writing experiences. Maybe you have a favorite paper you want to re-read to refresh your memory of what good work you can do, maybe you have notes or resource books that you’ve found helpful and reviewing them will help you polish up your skills. Maybe you know you have certain weaknesses or gaps in your writerly toolkit, so you need to brush up. Maybe you need to go online and look up some basic terms or skills. Maybe you want to hire a tutor for a quick refresher course.
However you do it, make sure you know how to do the following:
write a strong, focused thesis statement
create an essay outline
develop a line of reasoning
integrate sources/evidence into that line of reasoning
use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
3. Review Past Free-Response Questions.
Below is one example of each type of FRQ – you’ll find many more at AP Central.
Sample Synthesis FRQ:
As the Internet age changes what and how people read, there has been considerable debate about the future of public libraries. While some commentators question whether libraries can stay relevant, others see new possibilities for libraries in the changing dynamics of today’s society. Carefully read the six sources, including the introductory information for each source. Write an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources and develops your position on the role, if any, that public libraries should serve in the future. [You can find the six sources on pages
Sample Rhetorical Analysis FRQ:
Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States during the presidential administration of her husband, Barack Obama (2009–2017). During that administration, she led programs including the Reach Higher Initiative, which encourages students to continue their education after high school. One way it does so is by supporting high school counselors’ efforts to get students into college. On January 6, 2017, Obama gave her final speech as First Lady at an event honoring outstanding school counselors. The following passage is an excerpt from that speech. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Obama makes to convey her message about her expectations and hope for young people in the United States. [you can find Obama’s speech excerpt on page 10 of this document]
Sample Argumentative FRQ:
The late Barbara Jordan, a former United States representative, once warned: “[T]his is the great danger America faces—that we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual; each seeking to satisfy private wants.” Write an essay that argues your position on Jordan’s claim that “private wants” threaten national identity.
4. Read AP Language Guidebooks
Guidebooks offer valuable in-depth explanations of the AP Language test, both the multiple choice and FRQ sections. They use many examples to illustrate their points. The only downside is there aren’t many exercise or practice tests for you to do.
We recommend reading some guidebooks and then moving to the next step: actually doing some practice tests. The more time you spend with the guidebooks the better prepared you will be for the practice sessions. Erica Meltzer has written a foundational text on the AP Language and Composition test. Another great guide is the workbook developed by Perfection Learning.
5. Practice answering FRQs from AP Central.
Whereas the guidebooks are long on explanation and short on rigorous practice opportunities, the College Board offers many sample FRQs which you can use for practice. They provide FRQs from the past five years on the AP Lang webpage.
Try answering them for practice. Simulating realistic test-taking conditions is essential for making these practice sessions useful. Use these guidelines to ensure your mock FRQ performance is up to snuff:
Use a timer.
Write by hand, not on a computer.
Work to uplevel your diction and syntax when writing under time pressure.
Answer one of each of the three types of questions one after the other to build endurance. (Make sure to also track how much time your spend on each answer!)
When done, assess how you did and look especially at how you spent your time and refine your test taking strategies for the next round of practice.
6. Read the College Board’s sample answers.
These are written by real students, so study the commentary the graders offer on those student samples. They offer scores and the reasoning behind the scores given on each sample answer.
7. Take Practice Exams
North Avenue offers full-length, online AP practice tests. When you take these practice exams, use the same approach you used when you practiced answering past FRQs: keep track of your time and your energy levels. Afterwards, assess what worked and what you could improve.
8. Work with a Tutor
North Avenue Education tutors specialize in AP test preparation. We will match you with someone who can help you identify and work on key preparation skills such as learning to develop a focused thesis, create a clear outline quickly, and uplevel your writing to get that elusive sophistication point.
Sync up with an Expert AP Lang Tutor Today
Mastering the AP Lang FRQs requires a combination of knowledge, skill and practice. As with any AP Exam, the amount of preparation can seem daunting at first, but you can follow the steps outlined here to set yourself up for success: Familiarizing yourself with the three types of FRQs and the scoring rubric; hone your ability to quickly create a defensible thesis, outline, and strong line of reasoning supported by specific examples in clear compelling language; and diligently practice answering each type of FRQ. By following this plan you can maximize your score potential on the exam.
Looking to take your language and composition proficiency to the next level? Reach out to us today to schedule an initial consultation!
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