Hello,
I am an IB tenth grader currently taking the AP English Literature and Composition course at my school. I am also taking AP Psychology, AP Physics I, and AP European history courses as well. I plan on taking tests for all of those courses in May. In addition to the 4 tests, I am planning on taking the AP English Language and Composition Test. I have never taken the course but I heard that the two AP English courses are somewhat similar but very different. I want to self study for this course in the next month and pass the test with at least a 4 (5 would be amazing).
So do you think I should take a shot for the test by just self-studying?
If so, what would you recommend I do to prepare for the AP English Language Test? (Review books and tips)
For anyone who has taken both of the courses, how would you compare them and their tests.
Thanks!!!
You should be fine without a course in it. It’s mostly non-fiction reading, which is the main difference between Literature and Language.
You should use the Cracking the AP English Language and Composition Exam book by Princeton Review. The test material isn’t hard - the multiple choice is reading comprehension for the most part, and the essays aren’t hard at all.
I would tend to disagree. Most of the class is learning how to write the types of essays required of you on the exam. Without that instruction and feedback, I don’t think a self-studier will do very well.
@bodangles Quite honestly, the class doesn’t do much to help. One is a persuasive essay, one is a synthesis essay (you get about 7 sources and have to use them to answer the prompt), and the other is an analysis essay in which you analyze rhetorical strategies.
I’m in AP Language right now.
I really wouldn’t recommend self-studying for it at this point, you should’ve studied earlier. And yes, AP Literature is extremely different from Language in terms of the test format and types of books read. Do you at least know the format of the exam?
If you REALLY want to go for it, then here’s what I’d advise you to do:
-Practice essays. TONS of them. Do them timed then grade yourself based on the AP rubric (1-9). That is the only way to do good on the essays. If you are already a good writer, then that’s even better.
-Practice exams. The Multiple Choice is rather difficult. Practice on them.
-Study off of a prep book. I’m currently using CliffsNotes and Kaplan for AP English Language.
AP Lit is absolutely nothing like AP Language. AP Lit primarily focuses on fiction rather than non-fiction and has a different format for multiple choice and free response questions. Download a practice exam for AP Language and you’ll see what I mean.
Studying for 5 tests is just too much. Just focus on acing the 4 AP exams you’re studying for right now, they’re difficult. Leave AP Language for next year, and start studying earlier next time.
Thank you so much for the feedback. I still would like to continue to take the course though. I feel very comfortable in all my AP classes and my school work load has decreased a lot, so I really want to take a shot at this AP Lang exam. By the way, I bought the Barron’s book for the English Language exam. Is that a good book to self study from, or would you rather recommend purchasing the Cliffnotes or Kaplan versions.
Thanks once again…
Sure you can!
My D took AP lang when she was 13 at our local public school. She might as well have not taken a class because the teacher was retiring at the end of the year and totally phoned it in. Half the time, the teacher spent the first half of the class in the teacher’s lounge. They were given a grand total of four in class essays all year. It was a travesty.
She got a 4. So I would think that if a 13 year old with no instruction and zero independent prep on her first AP exam can do it, you certainly can!
@neatoburrito Thank you for the encouragement!!! Was there any specific review books or strategies she used to help her pass the test proficiently? 
Nope. She’s not much of a “studier” (when it comes to humanities classes.) This year, I bought her review books for her SAT subject tests and the only one she reviewed was the US history one because it had been two years since she took the AP test and needed to refresh. Lit and French remained untouched.
Unless the test has changed since 2011, I remember her saying that that there were a lot of technical terms that she missed on the multiple choice and they if she had known them, she might have gotten a five. But she was little, so who knows? I think this test, like most APs are heavily weighted towards the essays. If you are an analytical thinker who can synthesize info on the spot, you should be fine.
Are you a senior taking the test to earn credit or placement at a college for which you’ve already been accepted? If that’s the case, you really don’t have anything to lose. I’d gladly give up a hundred dollars and half a school day for the chance to avoid freshman composition in college, but that’s just me.
Google “AP pass calculator.” I’m not sure how accurate it is but it might give you a decent idea of how many points you need for a three. Most APs require, at most, something like half the points to get a 3.
@neatoburrito
I wouldn’t be surprised that your daughter had trouble with the technical terms because AP lang does use a lot of rhetorical strategies and terms like Synecdoche and Aphorism. I am trying to memorize those terms.
I am actually a tenth grader who is taking 4 other APs. You can read my situation in the initial thread post by me.
Thank you once again!!
I’m planning on self studying as well. I bought Cliff Notes and Crash course to AP Lang. I think it’s definitely doable. If you’re good at reading comprehension and you understand what kind of writing the AP reader wants, you’ll be fine! So far, Cliff Notes has been pretty good, and it includes essays from real students as examples of what to do and not to do. The only thing is it includes 4 practice tests, and it’s hard to get someone to grade your essays.
@Foodlover001 Thank you for the feedback… Fortunately, I do have a grader because my AP English Lit teacher is also a AP English Lang teacher.
Oh! That’s great then!