Prepare for the AP English Tests
The Advanced Placement (AP) English tests provide the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit for their advanced-placement English studies. There are two different AP English exams available to high school students: the English Language exam and the English Literature exam. Both of these tests require students to demonstrate their English competency by answering multiple choice reading questions and composing written responses to provided prompts. There are a number of things that high school seniors can do to prepare themselves for the examinations.
Instructions
Reading
1. Keep up with class assignments. Much of what you will be tested on on the AP exam comes from the reading you do throughout your approved AP course. If you fall behind in your reading, you will not be able to catch up in time for the exam. Keep on track with your reading to ensure that you possess the knowledge necessary to succeed on the exam.
2. Pay attention to the specifics of written works. Knowing the exact title, author and publication date of a work is highly important. Check the author, title and publication date frequently as you read the work to commit the information to memory.
3. Consider the context of the writing. You will likely be asked to explain how a piece of literature is relevant to the time period in which it was produced. As you move through the reading, consider what was going on in society during the time period, thereby ensuring that you understand the context of the written work.
4. Re-read complex text selections. If you do not understand a written section, re-read the passage. Highlight any areas that you find challenging as you read, and revisit them at a later date, with assistance from a teacher if necessary, to ensure that you understand the entire work.
5. Use a dictionary or thesaurus when necessary. When you encounter words that you do not understand, look them up. This enhanced vocabulary will assist you in being successful when you take the test.
6. List all of the works you have read during the course. Keep a running list of all of the works that you have read, along with the author of each work. You can use this list as a study guide, refreshing your memory on the books that you have read.
7. Watch the time. Both versions of the AP English exam offer testers only one hour to complete the multiple choice reading section. Keep a close eye on the time while you test, to ensure that you have adequate time to complete the section.
Writing
8. Write for pleasure. Write in a journal, or write short stories regularly. This practice improves your overall writing skills, and may lead to a better score on the writing portion of the AP exam.
9. Think about your writing. After you write, consider what you did well and what areas you still need to focus on. This recursive thinking will assist you in improving your writing and identifying your areas of weakness.
10. Thoroughly read the prompt. When taking the AP exam, read each prompt completely. The prompts often contain easily missed nuances or multiple questions. Read carefully to ensure that you do not miss anything.
11. Pre-write before you begin. Don't just jump right into writing. Take time to think and pre-write before you begin so that you have organized your thoughts before you begin composing your essay.
12. Provide specific examples. Do not speak in generalities, but instead provide concrete examples to back up your statements.
13. Pace yourself. You have two hours to complete the written section if you are taking the AP literature exam, and two hours and 15 minutes if you are taking the AP language exam. Check the time frequently to ensure that you have time to address all prompts.
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