<p>I took chinese lessons since I was in third grade. I basically know how to speak it and write it. I'm very good at pin yin, but not traditional chinese. Is it possible for me to get a 5 on the AP exam? Do I also need to know about Chinese culture?</p>
<p>You need to know culture like the back of your hand. Since you’ve taken Chinese lessons since third grade, I would assume at least one of your parents is Chinese or Taiwanese; they can teach you the culture if that’s the case.</p>
<p>Do you know simplified Chinese? You can choose to write/read simplified as opposed to traditional if you would like to.</p>
<p>how much culture stuff does one need to know to get a good ap chinese score? can someone give examples?</p>
<p>It would be a good idea to look at one AP Chinese prep book. There are a lot samples in it.</p>
<p>You don’t need to know traditional because the test allows you to take it in either simplified or traditional. It offers both so as long as you know simplified, you should be fine. Knowing a little traditional won’t hurt though. As for the culture, since you’ve been growing up with Chinese, you should be fine. Just know some basic holidays and history.</p>