Important Updates
New Sample Student Responses and Scoring Commentary
You can now explore several new resources on the AP Course Audit website:
- Sample student responses and scoring commentary for the secure 2016 AP English Literature and Composition Exam previously posted on the AP Course Audit site
- Two sets of student essays from the open-ended free-response question on the 2016 AP English Literature Exam—one focusing on The Great Gatsby and the other on unusual student-selected texts
To access, sign in to your AP Course Audit account and click on the Secure Documents link in the Resources section of your Course Status page.
Previously Secure Exam Now Publicly Available
The 2012 AP English Literature Exam that was previously available only through your AP Course Audit account is now available below. This means you can now use the questions from this older exam without restriction.
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- Wed, May 9, 2018
AP English Literature and Composition Exam Day 2018
Exam Overview
The AP English Literature and Composition Exam uses multiple-choice questions and free-response prompts to test students' skills in literary analysis of prose and verse texts.
The multiple choice section tests critical reading skills. Students read several passages and answer questions about the content, form, and style of each.
The free-response section tests students' ability to analyze and interpret literary texts by composing clear and effective essays.
Encourage your students to visit the AP English Literature and Composition student page for exam information and exam practice.
Exam Format
Section I
Multiple Choice—55 Questions | 1 Hour | 45% of Exam Score
- Includes excerpts from drama, verse, or prose fiction
- Each excerpt is accompanied by several multiple-choice questions
Section II
Free Response—3 Free-Response Questions | 2 Hours | 55% of Exam Score
- Students write essays that respond to three free-response prompts from the following categories:
- A literary analysis of a given poem
- A literary analysis of a given passage of prose fiction (this may include drama)
- An analysis that examines a specific concept, issue, or element in a work of literary merit selected by the student
Exam Questions and Scoring Information
For free-response questions from prior exams, along with scoring information, check out the tables below.
Be sure to review the Student Performance Q&A. In this invaluable resource, the Chief Reader of the AP Exam compiles feedback from members of the reading leadership to describe how students performed on the FRQs, summarize typical student errors, and address specific concepts and content with which students have struggled the most that year.
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Exam Resources
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AP English Literature and Composition Course Description—2014
This is the core document for this course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.
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AP English Literature Exam from 2012
Previously available as a secure resource only through your AP Course Audit account. Since this exam is now publicly available, you can use the questions without restriction.
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Previously Released Exams
The 1987 Released Exam and the 1999 Released Exam are two resources you can use with your students throughout the year. Note: Some information in these Released Exams may not reflect the current course and exam.