AP English Literature and Composition Changes for 2020
Overview by The Princeton Review
So, you’re gearing up for the AP Lit exam.
Congrats on challenging yourself academically.
Of course, as everyone knows, rule #1 of AP English Lit is make sure you don’t confuse
the exam with AP English Language and Composition.
After all, they are quite similar.
However, while AP Lang teaches you how to deconstruct arguments and rhetorical strategies
in works of non-fiction, AP Lit — the exam we’re talking about now — is focused on
analyzing fiction, poetry, and the use of literary devices.
And it’s 15 minutes shorter.
Yup, the AP English Lit exam clocks in at a mildly tolerable three hours.
A "mildly tolerable three hours"?
What is this, a review of the film THE IRISHMAN?
Yes, three hours.
Longer than your favorite episode of GAME OF THRONES, but just as exciting.
Indeed.
Three.
Whole.
Hours.
The same length as the finale of THE BACHELOR, but with less crying (we hope).
Anyway, like any standardized test worth its proverbial salt, it’s divided into sections
— specifically multiple choice and free response.
The multiple-choice section constitutes the first hour of the test and 45% of your score.
Here you’ll encounter 5 sets of questions that each correspond to a preceding passage
of prose fiction, poetry, or drama.
The passages will vary in terms of their difficulty.
Each subsequent set will have anywhere between 8 and 13 questions, and the entire multiple
choice section combined will have 55 questions total.
Don’t worry — 55 questions is totally manageable.
It’s that 56th question that always put you over the edge.
Moving on…
By process of elimination (coincidentally a great test-taking strategy), the next section
is the free response — and 55% of your score.
Here you’ll have two hours to tackle 3 prompts: a literary analysis of a poem or poems graciously
provided by the College Board, a literary analysis of a passage of prose fiction, once
again kindly provided by the College Board, and an analysis that examines an element,
a concept, or an issue in a work of literary merit.
In a surprising plot twist, you actually get to choose the work on this last one.
Don’t let the power go to your head.
While the content of this section remains the same as in previous testing years, it’s
important to know that the way these responses are scored is changing.
Starting in 2020, students will be evaluated based upon an analytic rubric rather than
a holistic rubric.
Sounds great, right?
I mean, analytical rubrics are so hot right now, and holistic rubrics are so last year.
But what do these rubric types actually mean?
Essays used to be graded on a holistic scale that went from 0 to 9.
The new analytic rubric narrows the point system; it now ranges only from 0 to 6.
Though you might feel like this leaves you with less room for error, the new rubric clearly
lays out how test takers can earn those 6 points.
It’s almost like the College Board actually wants you to succeed.
The first point is earned by demonstrating that you can construct a clear and defensible
thesis.
Pretty simple and straightforward.
Next, you’ll be assessed for evidence and commentary, which is worth up to 4 points.
You’ll earn a minimum of 2 if you present some relevant evidence and explain how some
of it relates to your argument.
Better yet, you’ll get all 4 points if you provide evidence to bolster each of your claims,
consistently demonstrate how they support your reasoning, and show how multiple literary
devices illuminate the meaning of the passage.
The last potential point is based on “sophistication.”
Sure, that sounds a little ambiguous — and maybe even a little bit snobby — but what
it boils down to is basically: Were you able to develop a complex literary argument?
You can do this by placing the passage within a broader context, providing an alternative
interpretation, or exploring the tensions found within it.
Wow — there’s so much clarity here.
Now you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.
And not to drop a humblebrag on you, but we’re pretty confident that this video has gotten
you excited to kick your test prep into high gear.
Assuming that’s the case, you’ll definitely want to pick up our AP English Literature
and Composition guidebook.
It offers a comprehensive content review and a couple of practice tests to help get you
on the road to that coveted 5!
Basically, it’s a party in book form.
Thanks for watching.
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