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AP English Language and Composition

Course Description

AP English Language and Composition (AP Lang) is an Advanced Placement course that focuses on the development of students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through the analysis of nonfiction texts. Throughout the year, students read a variety of works and explore how authors use rhetorical strategies to achieve purpose and convey meaning.

The course emphasizes argumentation, rhetorical analysis, synthesis writing, and effective communication—skills essential for college and career readiness.

Key Components:

  • Rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts

  • Evidence-based argumentative writing

  • Synthesis of multiple sources

  • Timed essays and revision-based writing

AP Exam Details

AP English Language and Composition Score Distribution

  • From 2020 to 2024, pass rates (scores of 3 or higher) steadily declined from 62.1% to 54.6%, with mean scores dropping from 2.96 to 2.79, reflecting a trend of decreasing performance.

  • In 2025, performance rebounded significantly: 13% earned a 5, 28% earned a 4, and 33% earned a 3, raising the overall pass rate to 74%, the highest in six years.

  • Lower scores (1s and 2s) peaked in 2023–2024 at nearly 60% combined, but decreased sharply to 26% in 2025, showing a notable improvement in student outcomes.

AP English Language...
 

AP English Language and Composition Forum

AP English Language and Composition Forum
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Tips & Feedback

Use this space to share writing techniques, get feedback on your argument ideas, and discover effective strategies for analyzing nonfiction texts. Whether you’re working on timed essays, organizing your evidence, or refining your rhetorical style, this section is designed to help you develop your skills and confidence.

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