Section I, Multiple Choice
This is HALF of the entire AP exam grade. Take it seriously and prepare for it thoroughly. The following is an includes information from “AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam Preparation” published by Vista Higher Learning.
Strategies:
The Multiple Choice section of the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam focuses on your Interpretive Communication Skills. The more analytical you are in your approach to this section the more successful you will be.
1. Understand the format
a. The Multiple Choice section represents 50% of your overall grade on the exam. You will encounter 65 questions in approximately 95 minutes.
i. Section I consists of 9 activity “sets” broken down as follows:
1. 4 sets of print (reading) activities
2. 2 sets of print and audio (reading and listening combined) activities
3. 3 sets of audio (listening activities)
2. Preview the questions
a. Before you read or listen to each selection, skim the multiple choice questions to see what will be asked. Being familiar with the questions will help you anticipate what the selection is about and will help guide your reading/listening.
3. Read the questions carefully
a. Pay close attention to what each question is asking.
i. If you are asked for the main idea, your answer choice will be a broad statement.
ii. If asked for a supporting detail, look for specific information.
iii. If there is more than once source, make sure you know which source is being referenced.
4. Look for key words
a. Key words in the question stem and/or answer choices may give you clues.
i. If you are asked to identify the purpose of the selection and the answer choices include different verbs, such as analizar, resumir, presenter, and criticar, use these key words to help you make your selection.
5. Anticipate the response
a. Before reading the answer choices, try to articulate what the correct response should be or contain. If you see the response that you anticipated, circle it and then check to be sure that none of the other responses is better.
6. Eliminate illogical answers immediately
a. If you can eliminate one or two of the four answer choices quickly, your chances of choosing the correct answer increase dramatically
7. Compare answer choices
a. If two alternatives both seem correct, compare the answer choices for differences. Then, check the question stems to determine the best answer.
8. Be careful of distractors
a. Vocabulary may be used in an answer choice to “trick” or distract you by appearing to be the correct answer. Just because language from the text is used in an option does not mean that it is the correct choice.
9. Pace yourself
a. Do not spend too much time on any one question. If you can’t answer, choose an answer that looks like it makes the most sense and go back to it at the end if you have time.
10. Answer every question
a. The test awards credit for correct answers but does NOT take away for wrong answers.
11. Don’t be afraid to change an answer.
a. After answering all questions, go back to the ones that stick in your mind. Your mind is telling you something. If you doubt yourself, you should double check AS TIME PERMITS.