<p>So I heard that the SAT CR section is somewhat similar to the AP Lang MC section. I've been working on the CR section in my SAT prep book, and it's kicking my butt. Any advice?
BTW, I will be taking the class as a sophomore. I suck at writing(which is probably why I sucked at CR) so I want to take AP Lang to improve my writing skills. Also, how hard is the AP exam and what's on it?</p>
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<p>AP Lang focuses more on literary devices. Know what (conceptual) metaphors are, what an ad hominem argument is, etc. </p>
<p>Also be able to read long sentences. Be able to keep track of the various pronouns and their antecedents. That is likely the greatest challenge on the M/C section of the AP Lang exam. You will be presented sentences the length of paragraphs, and the exam will ask you what “it” in line 38 refers to. Often times, the antecedent of “it” will be in line 18 or whereabouts. </p>
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<p>That’s not a good sign. </p>
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<p>A noble reason to take AP Lang, but writing on the AP Lang exam is timed, so your in-class essays will likely be timed as well, and I’m not sure if timed writing can cultivate one’s writing skills. Just don’t get into AP Lang and then realize “oh crap, this class is killing my GPA and my essays aren’t getting any better.” </p>
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<p>The M/C isn’t hard - it’s laughably predictable from year to year. I can tell you right now that there will be several pronoun-antecedent questions on the 2012 AP Lang exam, along with questions asking about metaphors, etc. </p>
<p>The essays, in my opinion, are fairly difficult. Be able to write 3 essays on disparate subjects in the span of 2 hours.</p>
<p>I’m in that class right now, and I would not recommend a sophomore to take it unless they are incredible writers. The College Board rubric, which my teacher uses to grade papers, is not what you are used to seeing in regular classes. In fact, a 5 out of 9 on the College Board rubric = an A in 11th grade English, according to my teacher. </p>
<p>But if you’re not budging, I would read a lot of tough passages about various subjects from different time periods. Learn to absorb the main point of a selection straight away and identify the tone, audience, and attitude of the author. Essay writing is sort of difficult to improve in a short amount of time, but just improve your essay planning skills for timed essays. Good luck.</p>
<p>I had taken AP Lang my senior year and found it somewhat difficult. The key to the exam is practice. The essays seems to be the most difficult because there are three in just two hours, but sufficient practice will allow you to complete them with ease. As for the multiple choice part of the exam, it is similar to the SAT CR section but the questions are more centered around rhetoric terms. There are a list of words that should be provided if not by your teacher than in an exam review book that I advise you know. If you are a strong writer, you should be fine in the class. If not, it might do more damage to your gpa than help it, but you will emerge a better writer. For the class, you must be able to read and make quick connections. In all honestly, you have to be able to make nothing sound like a strong argument to do well. Good luck!</p>