AP English Language and Composition

Advanced Placement course and exam

Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition (also known as AP English Language, APENG, or AP Lang) is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.

AP English Language and Composition is a course in the study of rhetoric taken in high school. Many schools offer this course primarily to juniors and the AP English Literature and Composition course to seniors. Other schools reverse the order, and some offer both courses to both juniors and seniors. The College Board advises that students choosing AP English Language and Composition be interested in studying and writing various kinds of analytic or persuasive essays on non fiction topics, while students choosing AP English Literature and Composition be interested in studying literature of various periods and mediums (fiction, poetry, drama) and using this wide reading knowledge in discussions of literary topics.

The multiple choice section of the test features 45 questions, divided between 23 25 reading questions and 20 22 writing questions. There are typically 4 short passages divided between pre 20th century non fiction prose, and 20th and 21st century non fiction prose. The questions assess students ability to understand rhetorical situations, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. Students have 60 minutes to answer all 45 questions, and the section accounts for 45% of the students' scores. Students generally receive their scores by mail in mid July of the year they took the test. Scores can be viewed on the College Board website using My AP. Alternatively, they can receive their scores by phone as early as July 1 for a fee. Sub scores are not available for students for the English Language and Composition Exam. Instructors of all AP courses each receive a score sheet showing the individual score for each of their students, as well as some score information and national averages.

In 2007, there was a change in the multiple choice portion of the exam. Questions began to be included about documentation and citation. These questions are based on at least one passage which is a published work, including footnotes or a bibliography.