2024 AP English Language and Composition Exam Guide

Your guide to the 2025 AP English Language and Composition exam

We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP English Language and Composition exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2025 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day. Unlock Cram Mode for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions.

Format of the 2025 AP English Language and Composition exam

This year, all AP exams will cover all units and essay types. The 2025 AP English Language and Composition exam format will be:

• Section I: Multiple Choice - 45% of your score
  • 45 questions in 1 hour
• Section II: Free Response Section - 55% of your score
  • 2 hours and 15 minutes for:
    • 1 synthesis essay
    • 1 rhetorical analysis essay
    • 1 argument essay

Scoring Rubric for the 2025 AP Lang Essays

Synthesis Essay

• Thesis:
• 1 point for a defensible thesis that responds to the prompt
• Evidence and Commentary:
  • Max of 4 points for providing evidence from at least 3 sources that support the line of reasoning AND commentary that explains and analyzes the evidence
• Sophistication:
  • 1 point any of the following:
    • Creating a nuanced argument
    • Showing the limitations of the argument
    • Making effective rhetorical choices
    • Employing a style that is vivid and persuasive

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

• Thesis:
  • 1 point for a defensible thesis that analyzes rhetorical choices
• Evidence and Commentary:
  • Max of 4 points for providing specific evidence AND consistently explaining how the evidence relates to the line of reasoning AND showing how the rhetorical choices contribute to the author's message.
• Sophistication:
  • 1 point for any of the following:
    • Explaining the significance of the rhetorical choices (rhetorical situation)
    • Explaining the complexities of the passage and their purpose
    • Employing a style that is vivid and persuasive

Argument Essay

• Thesis:
  • 1 point for a defensible thesis
• Evidence and Commentary:
  • Max of 4 points for providing specific evidence AND consistently explaining the relevance of that evidence.
• Sophistication:
  • 1 point for any of the following:
    • Crafting a nuanced argument by identifying complexities
    • Explaining the limitations of the argument by placing it in a broader context
    • Making rhetorical choices to improve the argument
    • Employing a style that is vivid and persuasive

Check out our study plan below to find resources and tools to prepare for your AP English Language and Composition exam.

When is the 2025 AP English Language and Composition Exam and How Do I Take It?

The exam will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM your local time. 

How Should I Prepare for the AP Lang Exam?

• First, take stock of your progress in the course so far. What areas have you excelled and which sections need more focus? Download the AP English Language Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses!
• Build your study plan to review every unit and question type, but focus most on the areas that need the most improvement and practice. We’ve put together this plan to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam- - Practice essays are your best friends! The more essays you write, the more automatic the process will come, and the easier the AP exam will be!- - Try some of the past exam questions here
• We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.
• Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via Cram Mode. Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.

Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment

Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.

🖥 Create a study space.

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

📚 Organize your study materials.

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.

The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

2025 AP Lang Study Guide

🚧 Unit 1 Foundations of Rhetoric: Analysis of the rhetorical situation and claims.

Big takeaways:

Unit 1 is an introductory unit that lays the foundations for the reading skills associated with how to understand and analyze complex texts. Skills here include identifying the ASPECTS of a text, analyzing the claim given and the evidence used to support that claim, and determining the function of the “chunks” in the argument. Because the content in this unit is very foundational, it is looped throughout the rest of the course instruction.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 1 Overview: Claims, Reasoning, and Evidence
• 1.1 Identifying the purpose and intended audience of a text
• 1.2 Examining how evidence supports a claim
• 1.3 Developing paragraphs as part of an effective argument

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• College Board’s Instructional Video: Overview of The Rhetorical Situation.- Fiveable’s How to Read Like an AP Student.- Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Statements- Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraphs

✍️ Practice:

• Use the Fiveable ASPECTS Guidesheet to help you break down a complex text. 🗺 Can you identify these rhetorical devices?

• You won’t be asked to name drop on the exam, but it can be helpful to use devices when discussing strategies. Try this Quizlet to help prepare.

Unit 2 Foundations of Argument: Analysis of an author’s choices in appeals and evidence

Big takeaways:

Unit 2 is an introductory unit that builds onto the foundations of rhetorical ASPECTS and moves toward planning and writing your own arguments. This unit focuses on the relationships between subject, speaker, and message, including examination of the structure and purpose of the given argument. The unit then moves into the developing thesis statements and building your own arguments with a clear line of reasoning.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 2 Overview: Organizing Information for a Specific Audience
• 2.1 Analyzing audience and its relationship to the purpose of an argument
• 2.2 Building an argument with relevant and strategic evidence
• 2.3 Developing thesis statements
• 2.4 Developing structure and integrating evidence to reflect a line of reasoning

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• College Board’s Instructional Video: Identify Rhetorical Situation in a Pre 20th Century Text. 

• Fiveable’s video on How to Find Rhetorical Devices 📰 Check out these articles:

• Here’s a list of recommended rhetorical devices with definitions and examples!

✍️ Practice:

• Use the Fiveable Rhetorical Precis Guidesheet to help you break down a complex text. 🗺 Can you identify these elements of practical argument?

• You won’t be asked to name drop of the exam, but it can be helpful to use devices when discussing strategies. Try this Quizlet to help prepare.

👥 Unit 3 Confluence: Synthesis of multiple sources in argumentation

Big takeaways:

Unit 3 approaches multiple perspectives in argument through the lens of synthesis (that’s FRQ 1). In this study, you learn to identify effective and faulty reasoning while integrating a variety of evidence from credible resources that is properly cited in an original text.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 3 Overview: Perspectives and How Arguments Relate
• 3.1 Interpreting character description and perspective
• 3.2 Identifying and avoiding flawed lines of reasoning
• 3.3 Introducing and integrating sources and evidence
• 3.4 Using sufficient evidence for an argument
• 3.5 Attributing and citing references
• 3.6 Developing parts of a text with cause-effect and narrative methods

🎥 Watch these videos:

• Fiveable’s Introduction into Synthesis Essays and How to Begin Your Argument
• College Board’s Instructional Video: Complexity in Argument.

🗺 Can you identify these elements of synthesis?

• You won’t be asked to name drop on the exam, but it can be helpful to use devices when discussing strategies. Try this Quizlet to help prepare.

👀 Unit 4 Reasoning: Analysis of argument from introduction to conclusion

Big takeaways:

Unit 4 includes a greater depth of focus on the writing of effective arguments -- the line of reasoning created in the introduction, built with modes of discourse, and strengthened in the conclusion. An important note about these skills of argumentation is that they build toward all parts of every FRQ. 

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 4 Overview: How writers develop arguments, intros, and conclusion
• 4.1 Developing and connecting thesis statements and lines of reasoning
• 4.2 Developing introductions and conclusions
• 4.3 Adjusting an argument to address new evidence

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• College Board’s Instructional Video: Understanding a Line of Reasoning.
• Fiveable’s Effective Annotations.

✍️ Practice: 

• Try Fiveable’s Guide to LOR Body Paragraphs. 🗺 Can you identify the rhetorical modes?

• You won’t be asked to name drop them on the exam, but it can be helpful to use devices when discussing strategies. Try this Quizlet to help prepare.

🧐 Unit 5 Commentary and Analysis: Analysis of complex argument and intentional rhetoric

Big takeaways:

In Unit 5, the skills look at the minutiae involved in argumentation: development of the line of reasoning that produces strong commentary and maintains the primary claim through all parts of the writing. To achieve these goals, this unit includes a focus on transitions, modifiers, and qualifications for argumentative perspective.  

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 5 Overview
• 5.1 Maintaining ideas throughout an argument
• 5.2 Developing commentary throughout paragraphs
• 5.3 Using modifiers to qualify an argument and convey perspective
• 5.4 Using transitions

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• Fiveable’s video on How to Improve Analysis Part 1 and Part 2- As well as how to Embed Quotes into Body Paragraphs- Rhetorical Analysis Body Paragraphs- Synthesis Essay Body Paragraphs- Argument Essay Body Paragraphs

📰 Check out these articles:

• Tara Seale’s adaptation for Creating a Line of Reasoning. ✍️ Practice:

• Try Fiveable’s Guide to LOR Body Paragraphs.

🏃‍♂️ Unit 6 Rhetorical Risks: Analysis of multiple perspectives, bias, and shifts with new evidence

Big takeaways:

In Unit 6, you will notice a direct link building on the ideas of Unit 3 as this instruction looks at position and perspectives while synthesizing information strategically to support a claim.  For greater depth, this unit moves to modify a current argument to include new evidence.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 6 Overview: Position, Perspective, and Bias
• 6.1 Incorporating multiple perspectives strategically into an argument
• 6.2 Recognizing and accounting for bias
• 6.3 Adjusting an argument to new evidence
• 6.4 Analyzing tone and shifts in tone

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• College Board’s Instructional Video: Creating a Nuanced Argument. 
• Fiveable’s video on Tracking an Author’s Argument

🚀 Unit 7 Complex Argumentation: Analysis of effective arguments, including concession and refutation

Big takeaways:

The skills of Unit 7 are about putting all units of study together to look at the complexity of a given argument and the effectiveness of the pieces built into that argument.  Though many teachers will have addressed counterarguments, concessions, and refutations before reaching this unit, those skills are highly scrutinized in this segment of learning.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 7 Overview: Successful and Unsuccessful Arguments
• 7.1 Examining complexities in issues
• 7.2 Considering how words, phrases, and clauses can modify and limit an argument
• 7.3 Examining how counterargument or alternative perspectives affect an argument
• 7.4 Exploring how sentence development affects an argument

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• Fiveable’s video on Arguments and Counterarguments
• College Board’s Instructional Video: How Argument Demonstrates Understanding.

✍️ Practice:

• Check your progress with Fiveable’s AP Language Skills Matrix.

📝 Unit 8 Style: Analysis of how style influences the audience movement

Big takeaways:

Unit 8 covers how to understand the influence style has on the audience, and the purpose behind each decision. By analyzing these various tactics, students are able to understand the author’s audience, and how to effectively persuade them. Style is an important part in connecting the rest of the course and understanding how the rhetorical choices and devices are used to accomplish a purpose.

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 8 Overview: Stylistic Choices
• 8.1 Choosing comparisons based on an audience
• 8.2 Considering how sentence development and word choice affect how the writer is perceived by an audience
• 8.3 Considering how all choices made in an argument affect the audience
• 8.4 Considering how style affects an argument

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• Fiveable’s Analysis of the Mindset of the Audience- College Board’s Instructional video: Analyzing and Understanding the Audience

📰 Check out these articles:

• College Board’s explanation of Elements and Context for Style

✍️ Practice:

• Review this quizlet on Elements of Style for more practice.

✏️ Unit 9 Craft: Creation of your own complex argument with synthesis and rhetoric

Big takeaways:

The final unit of AP Language and Composition covers how to effectively form your own arguments by acknowledging and understanding complexities to create a nuanced and sophisticated argument. It focuses on your ability to comprehend and connect multiple sources to create a well reasoned, and detailed argument as well as how to add in your own rhetorical devices and choices to make your writing more persuasive and effective.   

Definitely do this:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 9 Overview: Developing a Complex Argument
• 9.1 Strategically conceding, rebutting, or refuting information
• 9.2 Crafting an argument through stylistic choices like word choice and description

🎥 Watch these videos: 

• Fiveable’s video on Creating your own Synthesis Arguments
• College Board’s video on Complexities within Arguments and How to Create a Nuanced Argument