What is the AP Language and Composition Test? A short primer by Mr. Jackson

Four target areas: Patterns Format Development Strategies

Patterns Autobiography Biography History Literary Criticism Journalism Politics Science and Nature

Format of the Test 60 minutes for multiple choice 120 minutes for essays 15 extra minutes for synthesis essay reading Essay counts 55% MC counts 45%

Writing Test Scoring Approx. 500 (or more) teachers and professors score the test, usually in June They are divided into question leaders, who supervise table leaders, who in turn supervise 7-8 readers –They are trained for this rubric and question the first day of scoring –Question and table leaders are consulted by readers

Writing Scoring, cont. Each question is read by a different faculty consultant All i.d. is covered up Many essays are read repeatedly when they deviate too much from the norm (both high and low)

MC questions and how they are developed Sequence of questions –Surface and deeper level meaning –Structural patterns contribution –Ability to describe feature function

Development, cont. Different levels of questions: –Level 1 Answer in the passage is possible (facts) –Hardest overall

Development, cont. Level 2 –Comprehension questions Students have be able to recognize and apply concepts

Development, cont. Level 3 –Come at the end What is the purpose of, etc.?

Content 17 th Century to the present Different Genres –Persuasion is Huge!

Index Questions are field-tested with college students Five choices There is a best answer and a worst answer

Now that you know what the test is…. …all that we have to do is prepare, which we have already started by distributing the terms. Pick one other person, and I will assign you a few terms to be in charge in and present, starting around October 1 or so, and lasting until 2 nd semester. Review terms on your own throughout the year.

What happens on Wednesday? You are invited to come to my room for some muffins between 7:00 and 7:25 a.m. Both hours should report to the Green Room downstairs (near the AP Center for the Arts) no later than 7:30 a.m. Leave all electronic devices behind (phones, I-pods, etc.). It is advisable to bring a sweatshirt or light sweater. Tradition dictates that you are excused for the rest of the day (but there is a ½ day anyway).

Wednesday, cont. Bring your own supplies, water, etc. (these can’t be at your work station during the test). Complete initial paperwork until 8:00 start. Be sure to read the paperwork carefully— especially regarding how to dispute a score—there is a deadline.

Then what? On Thursday, we will rest a little bit. We will start reviewing 1984 a few days after the test of days. The test date is listed on your review syllabus. We will also be reading The Hunger Games. I would like to show the movie Shattered Glass starting on Friday, and Freedom Writers after that. The Writer’s Toolbox assignment is due in late May. I will hand out directions soon, but it is also on Blackboard under the Assignments Tab.

Closure Don’t forget to annotate the essay portion to receive up to 100 points. Relax and wait for the test scores…they normally come in mid to late July. See AP web-site for more exact time-table and method of notification. Remember: “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” John Wooden