Kaplan AP English Language and Composition 2006 - Kaplan - Paperback

Chapter 1:Inside the AP English Language and Composition Exam An overview of the test structure How the exam is scored Getting your grades Registration and fees Additional resources and informationAN OVERVIEW OF THE TEST STRUCTUREThe Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exam is a three-hour exam, designed yearly by the AP Test Development Committee in English. The exam is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have mastered skills equivalent to those typically found in introductory college composition classes. There are two sections:Section I 52-58 multiple-choice questions 1 hourSection II 3 essay responses 2 hoursTotal Length 3 hoursIn Section I, you will be presented with four or five passages -- mostly from nonfiction, occasionally from fiction. Each piece will be followed by 12 to 15 questions. If the test has five passages, the pieces are shorter with fewer questions than those with only four passages.The multiple-choice section contains skills questions that test your ability to analyze passages critically as well as rhetorically -- for style, organization, purpose, and effect. There are also a few fact questions based upon the specific selection that is given. Generally, these questions increase in difficulty as you progress through each passage, but that is not an absolute.Each multiple-choice question has five possible answers. These questions are scored by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and standardized to national norms. There is a 25-percent penalty for wrong answers, to discourage blind guessing. You can find more information about the multiple-choice questions in Chapter 5.Section II consists of three essay questions; some are prose analysis, others have to do with rhetoric and argumentation. The prose is generally, but not always, nonfiction. Sometimes there is a double passage, requiring you to compare and contrast two pieces based on their stylistic and rhetorical development. The argument prompt might be an opinion already written, and you must analyze it based on the tasks given in the prompt. However, you might also have to develop an argument of your own on a specific topic, often derived from a quotation. Recent tests have included an argumentative prompt that requires students to explain different sides of a concept, to synthesize information, and then to develop a stance of their own. The prompt or question for each essay will specify aspects of a passage that you are to explore. You can find more information about this section, including its evolution, in Chapter 6.HOW THE EXAM IS SCOREDEssays are scored by AP Readers, who come together each June to assess the essay responses. The multiple-choice section makes up 45 percent of your final score, and 55 percent depends on your performance on the essays. All AP Exams are rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest: 5 Extremely well qualified4 Well qualified3 Qualified2 Possibly qualified1 No recommendation GETTING YOUR GRADESYou can obtain your AP grade report in July. When you take your exam you can designate which colleges you would like to receive your grade. If you are unsure at the time you take the exam, then you may contact AP Services and have them forward your grade when you are closer to making your college decision.REGISTRATION AND FEESRegistration for taking the exam begins in March of the year you are taking it. If you are not sure, your AP teacher, AP Coordinator, and/or your school guidance counselor can help you. If your school does not administer the exam, you can contact AP services for a listing of schools in your area that do.As of this printing, the fee for each AP exam is about $82.00. The College Board offers a $22.00 credit to students who qualify for free or reduced luncPivarnik-Nova, Denise is the author of 'Kaplan AP English Language and Composition 2006 - Kaplan - Paperback' with ISBN 9780743265812 and ISBN 0743265815.