May32012

AP Tests: English Literature and Composition

If you’re getting ready for college, there’s an overwhelming amount of work you have to do, including writing admissions essays, taking the SAT and possibly subject tests, turning in grade reports, visiting campuses, taking meetings, lining up recommendation letters, and a whole lot more.  You may be considering adding “taking AP tests” to that list, since many universities accept high grades on these tests as college-level coursework, saving you time and money in the process.   Remember, though, that while you can take any AP test you want, the College Board highly recommends students take corresponding classes beforehand.

At Concepts Mastery, our Austin tutors are committed to helping students like you perform well on AP tests.  We know that you may be a bit in the dark about what’s actually on the test, as well as the ins and outs of how they work.  That’s why we’ve provided a series on the test and what you can expect.  This article covers the English Literature and Composition AP Test, an exam that many students take at the end of their junior year of high school.  To learn more about how our Austin tutoring professionals can help you, contact us today by calling 512-767-5323.

The Course

Unlike the similar English Language and Composition test (normally taken by high school seniors), the Literature and Composition test focuses primarily on English-language novels, essays, plays, and poetry rather than general rhetoric and syntax.  Students typically read assigned materials and learn about the major themes, structures, and devices associated with literature.

How the Test is Divided

While the College Board includes general guidelines for the English Literature and Composition Test, they are not as rigidly defined as those for other tests.  Instead, the College Board releases a lengthy reading list, complete with a disclaimer that there is no defined list or study area that students should focus on.  The aforementioned reading list is broken down into the following categories:

  • Poetry – starting with Shakespeare in the 16th Century and leading up to modern poets
  • Drama – starting with Greek drama and leading up to the post-modern period
  • Fiction – both novels and short stories, beginning in 18th Century and moving up to the middle of the 20th Century
  • Essays – the least-represented of the categories

At Concepts Mastery, we hire only the most experienced tutors Austin has to offer.  Our goal is to work one-on-one with our students, ensuring that they get the AP test support they need to succeed.  Contact us today by calling 512-767-5323.

To learn more about AP tests, click here.

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