📝 The AP English Language and Composition exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long and tests your ability to analyze rhetoric, synthesize sources, and construct arguments. It's one of the most popular AP exams—and knowing the format inside and out gives you a major advantage.
Section I
Multiple Choice
45 questions · 1 hour · 45%
Section II
Free Response
3 essays · 2 hr 15 min · 55%
📑 In This Guide:
📋 Exam Overview
The AP English Language and Composition exam tests your ability to read critically, analyze how authors use rhetoric to achieve their purposes, and write effectively. It's sometimes called “AP Lang” and focuses entirely on nonfiction—no poetry or fiction like AP Lit.
Key Skills Tested:
✦ Analyzing an author's rhetorical choices
✦ Understanding how language persuades an audience
✦ Synthesizing information from multiple sources
✦ Constructing evidence-based arguments
✦ Writing with clarity, organization, and style
🆕 2026 Update
Starting in 2026, multiple-choice questions now have 4 answer choices instead of 5. The exam is also fully digital through the Bluebook testing app.
| Section | Questions | Time | % of Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: Multiple Choice | 45 questions | 60 minutes | 45% |
| Section II: Free Response | 3 essays | 2 hours 15 min | 55% |
| Total | — | 3 hr 15 min | 100% |
📖 Section I: Multiple Choice
45
Questions
60
Minutes
45%
of Score
The multiple-choice section contains 5 passage sets, divided into two types:
Reading Passages
Nonfiction texts from various genres, time periods, and topics. You'll answer 23-25 questions about:
✓ Author's purpose and intended audience
✓ Rhetorical strategies and devices
✓ Tone, word choice, and style
✓ How language choices contribute to meaning
Writing Passages
Student-produced essays that need revision. You'll answer 20-22 questions about:
✓ Adding or deleting sentences
✓ Improving transitions between ideas
✓ Combining or restructuring sentences
✓ Strengthening the writer's argument
💡 Pro Tip
There's no penalty for guessing! Answer every question, even if you're unsure. With 4 answer choices, you have a 25% chance of getting it right just by guessing.
✍️ Section II: Free Response
3
Essays
2:15
Hours
55%
of Score
The free-response section includes a 15-minute reading period followed by 2 hours of writing time. You'll write three essays, each worth approximately 18% of your total score.
The Three Essays:
⏱️ Time Management
You control your own pacing during the writing section. A good rule of thumb: spend about 40 minutes per essay (including 5-7 minutes for planning).
📚 Q1: Synthesis Essay
The synthesis essay is typically the most time-consuming because you must read and incorporate multiple sources. Here's what you'll do:
What You're Given:
📄 6-7 sources on a specific topic (articles, speeches, studies, charts, images)
❓ A prompt asking you to take a position on an issue
⏰ ~40-45 minutes recommended (including reading time)
What You Must Do:
1. Develop a defensible thesis/claim
2. Use evidence from at least 3 sources to support your argument
3. Cite your sources (parenthetical citations like “Source A” work)
4. Provide commentary explaining how evidence supports your claim
⚠️ Common Mistake
Don't just summarize the sources! You must synthesize them—weave them together to support YOUR argument with YOUR analysis.
🔍 Q2: Rhetorical Analysis Essay
In this essay, you'll analyze how an author uses rhetorical strategies to achieve their purpose. This is the heart of AP Lang.
What You're Given:
📄 A nonfiction passage (600-800 words) — could be a speech, letter, essay, or article
❓ A prompt asking you to analyze the writer's rhetorical choices
⏰ ~40 minutes recommended
What You Must Do:
1. Write a thesis that makes a defensible claim about the author's rhetorical choices
2. Select specific evidence (quotes, examples) from the passage
3. Explain how and why those choices achieve the author's purpose
4. Demonstrate understanding of the rhetorical situation (speaker, audience, context)
Rhetorical Elements to Analyze:
💬 Q3: Argument Essay
The argument essay is your chance to showcase your own voice. You'll respond to a prompt with your own evidence and reasoning—no sources provided.
What You're Given:
💭 A quote, idea, or concept to respond to
❓ A prompt asking you to defend, challenge, or qualify the claim
⏰ ~40 minutes recommended
What You Must Do:
1. Write a defensible thesis that responds to the prompt
2. Provide evidence from your own knowledge, reading, or observations
3. Develop a clear line of reasoning
4. Include commentary that explains how your evidence supports your argument
💡 Evidence Sources
You can draw evidence from: historical events, current events, literature you've read, scientific studies, personal experience, pop culture, or anything else relevant to your argument.
📊 How the Exam Is Scored
Each essay is scored on a 0-6 point scale using an analytic rubric. Here's the breakdown:
| Category | Points | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | 0-1 | Defensible claim that responds to the prompt |
| Evidence & Commentary | 0-4 | Specific evidence + explanation of how it supports thesis |
| Sophistication | 0-1 | Complex understanding, nuanced argument, vivid style |
| Total per Essay | 6 | — |
📈 Score Distribution (2024)
5
~10%
4
~18%
3
~27%
2
~28%
1
~17%
🎯 Test Day Tips
Answer every MCQ question
No penalty for guessing. If you're stuck, eliminate obviously wrong answers and make your best guess.
Use the 15-minute reading period wisely
Read all three FRQ prompts. Annotate sources for the synthesis essay. Jot down initial thesis ideas.
Write a clear thesis in the first paragraph
Scorers look for your thesis first. Make it specific and arguable—not a statement of fact or vague observation.
Focus on “so what?”
Don't just identify devices. Explain WHY the author used them and HOW they affect the audience. Commentary is key!
Pace yourself on essays
Aim for ~40 minutes per essay. A complete, organized essay is better than a brilliant but unfinished one.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between AP Lang and AP Lit?
AP Lang focuses on nonfiction, rhetoric, and argumentation. You'll analyze how authors persuade audiences and write your own arguments. AP Lit focuses on fiction, poetry, and drama. You'll analyze literary elements like symbolism, character development, and theme. Many students take Lang as juniors and Lit as seniors.
Is the AP Lang exam fully digital?
Yes, starting in 2026, the AP Lang exam is fully digital and administered through the Bluebook testing app. Both the multiple-choice and free-response sections are completed digitally.
How many sources do I need to cite in the synthesis essay?
You must cite at least 3 sources to earn full credit in the Evidence & Commentary category. You'll be given 6-7 sources to choose from. Using more than 3 is fine, but quality matters more than quantity—make sure you're synthesizing, not just summarizing.
What's the “sophistication” point?
The sophistication point (1 point per essay) is awarded for demonstrating a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation or developing a nuanced argument. This could mean acknowledging counterarguments, explaining limitations, or making insightful connections. It's difficult to earn—focus on thesis, evidence, and commentary first.
Can I write the essays in any order?
Yes! You have 2 hours and 15 minutes for all three essays, and you can write them in any order. Many students start with the essay they feel most confident about to build momentum.
📚 Related Resources
📖 Best AP English Language Review Books
📚 Best AP English Literature Review Books
📅 2026 AP Exam Schedule
💲 AP Exam Fees
🔎 What Is an AP Score?
✅ View Your AP Scores
Ready to Ace AP Lang?
Get the best review books to master rhetorical analysis and argumentation.
View Best AP Lang Books →Before you go, I keep a free spreadsheet of legit ways to earn extra income that I personally use and update regularly. Grab it here if you're interested.
