Last-Minute AP-Lit Test Tips

Write on the test Make VERY sure you understand what is called for in the question. Reread it several times and underline key words of instruction. Pay special attention to warnings, such as “Avoid plot summary.” HEED THESE DIRECTIONS. As you read poems and prose, read actively. Circle/underline the figures of speech and key diction! Visualize! Paraphrase as you read! Plan your essays by writing a quick outline: Thesis, examples, organization.

2 Novels Store in your mind all key details of at least two 20th- century novels of literary merit with which you are highly familiar. Review your Major Works Summaries: Make sure you know the titles, author, opening/closing paragraphs, characters, conflicts + resolution, themes, symbols, prominent stylistic devices, etc Suggestions: Brave New World, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Going After Cacciato, Pride & Prejudice, 1984. Also, you may reflect back to lit from 10th or 11th grade (such as Slaughterhouse Five, The Things They Carried, TKAM , OMAM, Night, etc.)

2 Plays Store in your mind at least two modern dramas of literary merit with which you are highly familiar. Review your Major Works Summaries: Make sure you know the titles, author, opening/closing scenes, settings, characters, rising and falling action, conflicts + resolutions, themes, prominent stylistic devices, etc. Suggestions: Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, and plays from 11th and 10th grade, including 12 Angry Men, The Brute, Julius Caesar, etc.

Nonfiction/Prose Review the “Analyzing Prose” pages I gave you to study. Be confident of your reading comprehension skills. Read these selections carefully, always look for the main ideas, central images, allusions, point of view, and tone (especially be on the lookout for irony). Do a quick mental DIDLS. Underline lines that reveal these elements.

Poetry Make sure you are comfortable with poetry terms (forms, figures of speech, sound devices, meter, etc.) Include line numbers when you use them as references in your essay. Read the poem 3 times before you even think about writing: 1. Once to get the feel of it (read it in SENTENCES) 2. Read a second time, paraphrasing as you go 3. Look for figures of speech, diction, imagery, repetition, etc. and figure out how it influences THEME. MARK UP THE POEM! Do a quick MENTAL TPCASTT.

Multiple Choice Section 45% of your score. Usually 55 questions (1 hour) No penalty for guessing Expect 4 passages with 13-15 questions each (2 poems + 2 prose passages) Allow yourself 15 minutes per passage (adjust as necessary) Read the questions CAREFULLY. Eliminate answer choices intelligently (cross them out so you don’t look at them again) WRITE on the TEST! Read actively! Visualize! Paraphrase!

Essay Section 55% of your score. 3 essays (2 hours) Allow 35-40 minutes for each essay. Answer all 3 prompts! They are each worth the same points. Address ALL PARTS of the PROMPT. Don’t forget the “So What” or you will not score higher than a 5. Plan your essay; know what your thesis is (and that it answers the entire prompt), what examples you will use, and your organizational scheme Save 2-3 minutes to proofread. Do not make major edits …this is a DRAFT Use blue or black pen. No pencil. No pink pens.

(YOU WILL ALMOST ALWAYS WILL NEED TO MENTION THEME/MAIN IDEA) Essay Section Remember the basics: ON TOPIC CLEAR THESIS (YOU WILL ALMOST ALWAYS WILL NEED TO MENTION THEME/MAIN IDEA) ORGANIZED DEVELOPED (SO WHAT?) LANGUAGE/STYLE

Final Tips Come rested and mentally alert. Do not spend time cramming the night before: It will only stress you out. Write as legibly and neatly as you can. You do NOT want to antagonize the AP readers with sloppy penmanship, grammar, or spelling (these are not technically part of the AP score, but you and I both know a frustrated grader = a lower score) Know that you are well-prepared for the test if you have done well in class. You are as capable of success as any other high school student who is taking this test right now!