The AP English Language and Composition exam — often called AP Lang or AP Composition — is one of the most widely taken AP tests. It’s designed to evaluate your ability to analyze rhetoric, write persuasively, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
If you can read critically, think analytically, and write clearly under time pressure, you’re already on your way to success. This guide covers exam format, scoring, essential skills, and study strategies to help you perform at your best.
AP Composition Exam Format
The exam lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes and is divided into two sections:
Section I: Multiple Choice (45% of score)
- 45 questions in 1 hour
- Based on nonfiction passages (articles, essays, historical documents)
- Tests reading comprehension, rhetorical analysis, and argument structure recognition
Section II: Free Response (55% of score) — 2 hours 15 minutes total
- Synthesis Essay — Use multiple sources to form a well-supported argument
- Rhetorical Analysis Essay — Analyze how an author’s choices convey purpose
- Argument Essay — Develop your own argument supported by reasoning and evidence
Skills Tested on AP Composition
- Reading Comprehension & Rhetorical Analysis
- Understanding tone, purpose, audience, and rhetorical strategies
- Evidence-Based Writing
- Integrating sources and examples to strengthen arguments
