Want to take your test prep to the next level? Use the resources below to analyze sample student essays, review scoring rubrics, take full-length multiple choice tests, and more!
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Overview of the Test
- Summit Prep Test Overview: This is a 2-page document tailored to Summit Prep students. It includes a high-level description of the components of the test and reflections from Summit Prep seniors about preparing for the test.
- Official AP Test Overview: This is an official 2-page CollegeBoard overview that includes course content, skills, and components of the AP test.
- College Credit Check: See which colleges offer credit for getting a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam. You can also use this link to send your AP scores to a college, and search for college scholarships.
- CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING with the Summit Prep Test Scavenger Hunt! This activity is an interactive way to explore the connections between the cog skills and projects we will be doing in class and the various components of the AP test. If you complete it successfully, you will have a clear sense of what each part of the AP test is meant to assess and which projects are aligned with which parts of the exam.
Scoring Guides and Rubrics
- Overall Scoring and Scaling Guide: While it's impossible to predict with total accuracy what your score might be on an AP exam, you can use this document to convert your raw multiple choice score (total # of questions you got right) to a scaled score. You can then look at a table that shows you what your 1-5 overall test score might be depending on the quality of essays that you wrote.
- Argumentative Essay Rubric Checklist: Check off the boxes that best represent each component of your essay to predict if you wrote a 1-4, 5-7, or 8-9 essay.
- Rhetorical Analysis Essay Rubric Checklist. Check off the boxes that best represent each component of your essay to predict if you wrote a 1-4, 5-7, or 8-9 essay.
- Synthesis Essay Rubric Checklist. Check off the boxes that best represent each component of your essay to predict if you wrote a 1-4, 5-7, or 8-9 essay.
Multiple Choice: Strategies
- Tips for the Multiple Choice Test (PPT): This powerpoint deck includes full sentences with LOTS of information about how to avoid common mistakes, reduce testing anxiety, and focus on process of elimination. If you are a visual learner who likes to chunk things in to small pieces, this is an excellent starting resource.
- Multiple Choice Test Taking Strategies (PDF): This 4-page document is more text-heavy, but it outlines clear "phases" (or pass-throughs) that you can practice to develop confidence in your answer choices. It comes from a teacher whose resources I really respect.
- Advice for Success on the AP English Language Exam: Multiple Choice (PDF): This 3-page document is a nice companion to the one above. It's from the same teacher, and it outlines not only the types of multiple choice questions you might see (and which are the hardest), but also answers the question, "How many questions can I get wrong and still pass the test?"
- Multiple Choice Overview (Video): If neither of the options works for you, you can watch a semi-interesting (yet informative!) video that outlines similar information as the sources above but with text, visuals, and a speaker.
- Multiple Choice Question Stems. Read through this list of common sentence starters to see all the various types of questions you are going to see on the multiple choice test.
Multiple Choice: Practice
- Sample Multiple Choice Questions. These are sample questions that the CollegeBoard has published on its website.
- Five Steps to a 5: Multiple Choice Test A. This is a practice multiple choice section created by a test prep company.
- Five Steps to a 5: Multiple Choice Test B. This is a practice multiple choice section created by a test prep company.
- 2008 Multiple Choice Section. The last 2 pages of this document are a blank answer key to complete as you take the test and the answers themselves.
- 2007 Multiple Choice Section. Note that, on page 41 you can find a full answer key to the test. On pages 42-43 you can read instructions and find a worksheet for keeping track of which questions you got right for each passage and compare your results to how real students did on the actual exam.
Argumentative Essay: Strategies
- Strategies for Mastering the Persuasive Essay. This is an extensive 13-page PDF with strategies, sample outlines, and several years' worth of argumentative prompts from real AP exams.
- Graphic Organizer: Argumentative Idea Bank. One of the best ways to prepare for an open-ended argument is to brainstorm and then select your best ideas to write about. They should come from a wide range of topics/areas of interest so as to fit as many topics as you might see. This will also help you prep for the SAT essay!
Argumentative Essay: Practice
- 2015 Argumentative Essay Prompt. You will take a position on the value of politeness in society.
- 2014 Argumentative Essay Prompt. You will take a position on whether or not schools should teach a course in creativity.
- 2013 Argumentative Essay Prompt. You will take a position on the relationship between ownership and self.
- 2008 Argumentative Essay Prompt. You will take a position on Margaret Drabble's argument about conformity.
- 2006 Argumentative Essay Prompt. Note: This was one of the summer reading timed write options. You will take a position on the value of public statements of opinion.
Argumentative Essay: Sample Student Responses
Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Strategies
- Strategies for Mastering the Rhetorical Analysis Essay. This is an extensive, 15-page PDF with strategies, sample outlines, and several years' worth of rhetorical analysis prompts from real AP exams.
Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Practice
- 2015 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt. You will analyze the rhetorical devices that Cesar Chavez uses to develop his argument about nonviolent resistance.
- 2014 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt. You will analyze the rhetorical strategies that Abigail Adams uses to advise her son.
- 2013 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt. You will analyze the strategies Louv uses to develop his argument about the separation between people and nature.
- 2008 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt. You will analyze the persuasive techniques Mary Ann Shadd Cary uses to establish the necessity of her newspaper, Provincial Freeman.
- 2008 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt (2). This year, there were two rhetorical analysis essays. In this one, you will analyze the persuasive techniques that Barry uses to characterize scientific research.
- 2006 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt (1). You will analyze the persuasive techniques Hazlitt uses to make his argument about money.
- 2006 Rhetorical Analysis Essay Prompt (2). This year, there were two rhetorical analysis essays. In this one, you will analyze the persuasive techniques Price uses to craft her view of United States culture.
Rhetorical Analysis Essay: Sample Student Responses
Synthesis Essay: Strategies
- Synthesis Essay Tips. This 2-page PDF gives you a high-level, 8-step process for reading the synthesis prompt and sources, outlining your essay, and writing your response.
Synthesis Essay: Practice
- 2015 Synthesis Essay Prompt. You will synthesize sources to take a position on whether or not schools should adopt an honor code.
- 2014 Synthesis Essay Prompt. You will synthesize sources to take a position on whether or not college is worth the cost.
- 2013 Synthesis Essay Prompt. You will synthesize sources in order to examine the factors a group or agency should consider in memorializing an event or person and in creating a monument.
- 2008 Synthesis Essay Prompt. You will synthesize sources to take a position on the key issues leaders should consider when making policies that affect global warming.