AP English Language and Composition

Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.

Go to My AP See How to Join Your Class

Not a Student?

Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.

AP English Language and Composition

Go to My AP

About the Exam

The AP English Language and Composition Exam will test your understanding of the concepts covered in the course units, as well as your ability to analyze texts and develop written arguments.

This is a fully digital exam. You’ll complete multiple-choice and free-response questions in the Bluebook testing app, with all responses automatically submitted at the end of the exam.

New for 2024-25: MCQs Will Have Four Answer Choices

Starting in the 2024-25 school year, AP English Language and Composition multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will have four answer choices instead of five. This change will take effect with the 2025 exam. All resources have been updated to reflect this change. 
 

Exam Duration
3hrs 15mins

Exam Date

Wed, May 14, 2025

8 AM Local

AP English Language and Composition Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP English Language and Composition Exam.

Details Add to Calendar

Exam Components

Section 1: Multiple Choice

45 questions 45% of Score

Excerpts from nonfiction texts are accompanied by several multiple-choice questions:

  • 23–25 Reading questions: You’ll be asked to read and analyze nonfiction texts.
  • 20–22 Writing questions: You’ll be asked to read like a writer and consider revisions to the text.

Section 2: Free Response

3 questions 55% of Score

The 2 hour and 15 minute time limit for this section includes a 15-minute reading period.

In the free-response section, you’ll respond to three questions with written answers. This section tests your skill in composition in three areas:

  • Synthesis: After reading 6 texts about a topic (including visual and quantitative sources), you will compose an argument that combines and cites at least 3 of the sources to support your thesis.
  • Rhetorical analysis: You will read a nonfiction text and analyze how the writer’s language choices contribute to the intended meaning and purpose of the text.
  • Argument: You will create an evidence-based argument that responds to a given topic.

Exam Essentials

See Exam-Day Policies

Read About Accommodations

Exam Preparation

Link

AP Classroom Resources

Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos, any assignments from your teacher, and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.

  • Go to AP Classroom

Link

Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information

Go to AP Central to review free-response questions and scoring information from past exams.

Download

AP English Language and Composition Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.

  • PDF
  • 4.42 KB

Link

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the through-course assessment and the end-of-course exam. If you’re using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected]. For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website.

Credit and Placement

Search AP Credit Policies

Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.

Start a Search

Additional Information