<p>Instead of actually helping us understand potential literary terms and rhetorical devices for the test (metonymy, pathos/ethos, synesthesia, etc) our teacher has simply given us multiple timed writings and skipped grading them. I've done well in regards to English in the past (710/750 for critical reading and verbal on the SAT), but I just don't seem to do well in AP English Language. I scored 50% on our midterm which was supposedly an old exam.</p>
<p>I'm just asking for what my best way to prepare is because obviously my teacher does not know it. I'm fearing doing very poorly because I tend to overcomplicate things and psyche myself out of the correct answer. What is my best way to approach those dastardly multiple choice?</p>
<p>No the exam is only easy if you know what your doing, which comes from being a genius or having a good teacher haha. It’s not like the SAT and you should have a solid knowledge of how to analyze rhetoric and recognize devices for the MC and especially for the FRQ.</p>
<p>I consider myself quite smart but alas my teacher is terrible and I only have a slightly above average grade in her class. I did the sample questions on the college board website and I feel like I did admirably (about 48 of the 55 questions correct) but when I actually do the tests were are provided in class (we did AP style questions on Great Gatsby), I flounder (14/20, which I understand would be good enough to get a 4/5, but it’s enough to kill my grade in the class). I just have this huge tendency to overthink things and I guess the best way for me to prepare would be to familiarize myself with rhetorical techniques.</p>
<p>The rhetorical terms are just window dressing. The best way to do well on the exam is to relax and show that you are a thinker…It doesn’t matter what you think either. Organize yourself and then write essays that show that you have considered the issue they present.</p>
<p>Papa h is right. Rhetorical terms might be worth a few points on the mc but they’re not really going to help you on the essays which are worth more. Every year readers stress that name dropping devices in essays is a problem. Just be thorough and thoughtful in your analysis/arguments and write coherently and you’re set for at least a 4.</p>
<p>I need help getting through all of the passages and questions in time… while getting the answers correct. It’s difficult for me. I keep scoring 27s and 28s on practice MC tests, but I really would like to get 35s or maybe even a 40 (I’m aiming for a 4 or 5. My essays are pretty good. It’s just the dang multiple choice).
So what are some tips to improve time management and accuracy??</p>
<p>lol Matugi with that -7…both practices I took today i got -7s. I’m sure you’ll do fine, you’re a smart kid. A practice you took in recent week or two is a much much better representation of your skill than that 50%. I got low grades in the multiple choices in school the entire year until maybe a month ago, when multiple choice just seemed to click for some reason. </p>
<p>Your problem may be “gatsby” questions. Info from a novel and info from a short excerpt are very different skills</p>
<p>I need help getting through all of the passages and questions in time… while getting the answers correct. It’s difficult for me. I keep scoring 27s and 28s on practice MC tests, but I really would like to get 35s or maybe even a 40 (I’m aiming for a 4 or 5. My essays are pretty good. It’s just the dang multiple choice).
So what are some tips to improve time management and accuracy??</p>
<p>Looking at this thread is actually making me stressed, haha. I was planning on familiarizing myself with the format today with no prior prep or class, since I figured if AP Lit was a breeze last year, AP Lang should be no problem. Not so sure now…</p>
<p>Anyways, I’m looking through ap central and the highest score I’m seeing seems to be a 8. Is there a secret to getting a 9, like insightful conclusions that go beyond the text? (Though perhaps that extra point doesn’t really matter; I don’t know the curve either, just planning on doing my best.)</p>
<p>You kinda have to synthesize a thesis that goes beyond the topic at hand.</p>
<p>Just scored a 45/55 on the MC on my last practice test. My problems mostly seem to stem from rushing through some of the answer choices and blowing over the obvious answer. Two other incorrect answers stemmed from not reading the passage carefully. I finished with about ten minutes left so that gives me some time to go back to those questions. At this rate I can get two 4s and a 5 on the essay and still get a 4.</p>
<p>All of you relax…The biggest thing to remember that this is a THINKING test. Period. It happens to be in English. Read APMC like you are analyzing it for an essay. It takes about 5-6 minutes to prep one for a written response right? Okay, now answer 13 questions in 8-9 minutes? If you can do that 4 times, your block is solid and your accuracy will be near 70% (or so).</p>
<p>On the Synth/Arg remember it is YOUR paper-you tell them what YOU think. Support yourself with valid logical thoughts/ideas/examples and you are golden.</p>
<p>On the RA answer 2 questions: What is the author’s purpose, and how does he achieve that purpose.</p>