The AP English Literature & Composition Exam consists of two main sections: multiple-choice and free-response.

Multiple-Choice Section:
The multiple-choice section includes 55 questions that test the student's ability to analyze and interpret literary texts. These questions may cover a variety of literary genres, including poetry, prose, and drama. Students are required to read passages and answer questions that assess their understanding of key literary elements, such as theme, tone, characterization, and figurative language. This section accounts for 45% of the total exam score.

Free-Response Section:
The free-response section consists of three essay prompts that require students to analyze and interpret literary texts. The prompts may ask students to analyze a specific literary work, compare and contrast two works, or analyze a literary concept or theme. Students are expected to provide well-developed, coherent, and insightful responses that demonstrate their understanding of the text and their ability to analyze literary devices and techniques. This section accounts for 55% of the total exam score.

The three essay prompts in the free-response section are as follows:

Poetry Analysis: Students analyze a given poem and write an essay discussing its meaning, themes, poetic techniques, and structure.
Prose Analysis: Students analyze a given prose passage and write an essay discussing its meaning, themes, narrative techniques, and literary devices.
Open-Ended Essay: Students choose a literary work of their choice and write an essay that analyzes a specific aspect or theme of the chosen work.
Scoring:
The multiple-choice section is scored based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for incorrect responses. The free-response section is scored holistically by trained readers who assess the overall quality and effectiveness of the essays. Each essay is assigned a score from 0 to 6, and the scores are combined to determine the final free-response score.

The overall exam score is reported on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Many colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement to students who receive a score of 3 or higher, although the credit and placement policies vary by institution.

Preparation:
To prepare for the AP English Literature & Composition Exam, students are advised to read and analyze a wide range of literary texts from different time periods and genres. They should develop their skills in close reading, literary analysis, and essay writing. Practice exams and essay prompts are also helpful in familiarizing students with the exam format and timing.