AP Literature and Composition

Exam Format

55 Questions | 1 Hour | 45% of Exam Score

Includes 5 sets of questions with 8–13 questions per set.
Each set is preceded by a passage of prose fiction, drama, or poetry of varying difficulty.
The multiple-choice section will always include at least 2 prose fiction passages (this may include drama) and at least 2 poetry passages.

3 Questions | 2 Hours | 55% of Exam Score

Students write essays that respond to 3 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 selected by the student. In responding to Question 3, students should select a work of fiction that will be appropriate to the question. A general rule is to use a work that is similar in quality to those they have read in their AP class(es).