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AP English Language and Composition and AP Literature and Compositions are both college level courses, which at the end culminate with an exam that determines the "grade" you would have earned in that college course. The grade you learn in the course on your transcript is not necessarily a good indicator of how well you would do on the exam, as you can pass the AP course and NOT pass the AP exam. The following comes from the Advanced Placement Language and Composition and/ or Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description(s) updated in 2020:
How AP Exams Are Scored
How AP Exams Are Scored
The exam scoring process, like the course and exam development process, relies on the expertise of both AP teachers and college faculty. While multiple-choice questions are scored by machine, the free-response questions and through-course performance assessments, as applicable, are scored by thousands of college faculty and expert AP teachers.
(As of 2020, although this seems to have changed in the last couple of years) Most are scored at the annual AP Reading, while a small portion is scored online. All AP Readers are thoroughly trained, and their work is monitored throughout the Reading for fairness and consistency. In each subject, a highly respected college faculty member serves as Chief Faculty Consultant and, with the help of AP Readers in leadership positions, maintains the accuracy of the scoring standards.
Scores on the free-response questions and performance assessments are weighted and combined with the results of the computer-scored multiple-choice questions, and this raw score is converted into a composite AP score on a 1–5 scale.
AP Exams are not norm-referenced or graded on a curve. Instead, they are criterion-referenced, which means that every student who meets the criteria for an AP score of 2, 3, 4, or 5 will receive that score, no matter how many students that is.
The criteria for the number of points students must earn on the AP Exam to receive scores of 3, 4, or 5—the scores that research consistently validates for credit and placement purposes—include:
The number of points successful college students earn when their professors administer AP Exam questions to them.
The number of points researchers have found to be predictive that an AP student will succeed when placed into a subsequent, higher-level college course.
Achievement-level descriptions formulated by college faculty who review each AP Exam question.
To prepare for the exam, use of the AP classroom resources including: end of unit progress checks, practice exams, and AP Daily videos will provide experience in the format and style of the exam.
Using and Interpreting AP Scores
Using and Interpreting AP Scores
The extensive work done by college faculty and AP teachers in the development of the course and exam and throughout the scoring process ensures that AP Exam scores accurately represent students’ achievement in the equivalent college course. Frequent and regular research studies establish the validity of AP scores as follows (see chart):
While colleges and universities are responsible for setting their own credit and placement policies, most private colleges and universities award credit and/ or advanced placement for AP scores of 3 or higher. Additionally, most states in the U.S. have adopted statewide credit policies that ensure college credit for scores of 3 or higher at public colleges and universities. To confirm a specific college’s AP credit/ placement policy, a search engine is available at apstudent.org/creditpolicies.
General Course Descriptions
General Course Descriptions
The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text— from a range of disciplines and historical periods.
College Course Equivalent: The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses for AP English Language and Composition. Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.
College Course Equivalent: The AP English Literature and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level literature and writing curriculum.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisite courses for AP English Literature and Composition. Students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
Expectations for Students of AP Lang or Lit
Expectations for Students of AP Lang or Lit
Be prepared for college-level rigor.
Be prepared for college-level rigor.
This course will be difficult. It will push you to learn and grow. Up until now you have taken "on-level" courses, meaning curriculum and coursework designed for students in your current numerical grade. Advanced Placement is college level coursework. You are essentially skipping 1-3 grades. The first semester will be difficult to make up the gap. Be prepared to work harder than you have in English courses up to now.
From CollegeRaptor:
Rigor is more than just “how difficult a class is” however, and even more than “how hard a student has to work to earn a good grade.” In essence, a rigorous class prepares the student by teaching them (and having them exercise) skills useful in school, the business world, and in life.
There are multiple reasons that “academic rigor” might make a student shy away. Maybe you’d rather take easier classes you know you can ace to improve your GPA and class rank. Maybe the subject matter is intimidating. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories of harsh grading requirements and heavy reading. Instead of looking at a rigorous schedule with dread, think of it as a challenge.
Colleges will not be impressed with the bare minimum. The average will not wow them. This is where academic rigor comes in. They want to see you pushing yourself. They want to see you stepping out of your comfort zone and working hard to accomplish good grades. College coursework will be more difficult and demanding than high school, so proving that you can handle tougher material ensures colleges that you will work just as hard while attending their own classes.
So...what does that mean for AP?
So...what does that mean for AP?
This course has summer work, so we can focus on the main curriculum for the exam. The work needs to be done before school starts in August.
There will be homework. A. Lot. Of. Homework.
We will write A LOT of papers.
You will read A LOT of articles.
You will be asked to remember what you learned in Freshman and Sophomore (and Junior) English courses.
You will be asked to TRY things that seem impossible at first.
You have to trust that what you are learning has a purpose (and is not--in fact--busy work, and--in time--that purpose will become clear.
Be self-sufficient and resourceful.
Be self-sufficient and resourceful.
College students are expected to be resourceful and find answers for themselves. Work towards this academic self sufficiency by using the resources you have available before complaining or running to the teacher for help. Does that mean you should never ask for help from the teacher? No, of course not. Try it first. Use resources available to you, then when you have exhausted the resources, ask for assistance. Avoid "I didn't know" as an excuse. There are so many resources online for many of the areas for which you might need support. Examples: Khan Academy, Youtube, or Mybib/ Perdue OWL
From SeattlePi:
Self-sufficiency doesn't mean you should never turn to your professors; it means you should turn to them for the appropriate things, such as guidance on your studies, career and coursework. The best college students learn to use their professors' office hours and read their materials carefully. Keeping track of assignments and due dates is all up to you, and most professors won't send reminders about exams or projects. Additionally, when you have paperwork that needs attention, such as financial aid information or health insurance enrollment, you need to know where to go and whom to contact with problems or questions. Self-sufficiency isn't just about studies; it's also about being responsible for all other aspects of college life, from transportation to health to filling out forms.
From Edutopia about a 2010 study on college success and resourcefulness:
High grades and test scores are not reliable indicators of resourcefulness. In fact, most teachers know bright college graduates who struggle to resolve everyday problems. Being resourceful takes more than cognitive skill. It takes the ability to process information emotionally as well as intellectually. Research shows that resourceful students are not only better at achieving their goals, but also respond better under stress. One study showed that academic stress adversely impacted the grades of students who were low in resourcefulness, but had no impact on the grades of highly resourceful students.
In recent years, we’ve come to recognize the set of brain processes that help children achieve their goals as executive functioning skills. Housed in the frontal lobes, they help students plan, start, oversee, and finish tasks big and small. These same skills enable students to chart fulfilling courses through life. When these abilities are weak, everyday living can feel like being on a ship without a rudder.
So...what does that mean for AP?
So...what does that mean for AP?
Read the syllabus. Know where to find it and what it says. Check it before asking about a class policy.
Use the internet--in a responsible way--to review something you have learned in the past.
Ex. MLA formatting and citation: Mybib, YouTube, or Perdue OWL
Keep up with the class website, Google Classroom, AP Classroom materials. Look for what you missed before asking the teacher. After checking it out, then ask specific, targeted questions about the posts.
If you are or will be absent, use the website and other platforms to get/ keep on top of what you will or have missed.
If you will be absent for an in class discussion, is there a way you can "be present"?
For example: Students who are all on a bus trip to a volleyball or basketball game could record their Socratic Seminar discussion while riding to the game or tournament.
Use email. If you do not understand the instructions on an assignment, or feel like something was missed in grading, politely email your teacher to ask about it.
Be organized.
Be organized.
Create a schedule, list of priorities, or checklist. Use a calendar and/ or assignment notebook, digitally or on paper to help remind you of what you need done and when.
From BestColleges:
Students without good organizational skills are less successful academically than their well-organized classmates. Unfortunately, organization is one of several life skills that many college students feel they're missing. It's also a skill that employers look for when interviewing job applicants. With so many classes, assignments, and study dates to keep track of — not to mention extracurricular activities — getting organized at school can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are several small steps you can take to get and stay organized in college and to increase your productivity while decreasing your stress levels. Follow the link above to read the rest of the article and find out the 8 tips for being organized.
So...what does that mean for AP?
So...what does that mean for AP?
Use a Google Calendar (or another platform) that works on both your Chromebook and phone to set reminders and due dates.
Look ahead at what will be assigned for the week, month, quarter, or unit and plan to tackle things when you have time before they are due.
For example: If you know that you have no practice or game on Wednesday night, schedule more reading (reading ahead) for that night, OR Work on getting ahead on your paper/ research on the weekend if you know that you will have a APES or APUSH exam on the same day/week as a big paper is due.
The Big "So... What?"
The Big "So... What?"
Or...How will this matter in the long run?
Some may ask:
...So what if I take the test and don't get at least a 3?
...So why does this course, and all of the work even matter if I can take the test and *maybe* not "pass"?
new-analyses-ap-scores-1-and-2.pdf
Ideally, all students who take the course will be prepared and able to earn at least a three on the exam, but in the case of those who--for whatever reason--do not earn that score, the experience of AP classes will assist in helping to create future success in college and beyond.
Additionally, because the coursework is aligned with what is typically taught in the college course equivalent, when the course is taken in college, the ideas, information, and application will not be brand new. Having experience with a given subject will provide a "leg up" in the course when taken during college study.
"There's a lot of power in the 2. A 2 will get you in the door. Most places it doesn't get you the credit, but it shows colleges that you're ready for rigorous coursework."
— Timothy Towslee, AP English Language and Composition Teacher, Glen Allen High School (Va.)
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