How long is the AP lit exam? What to know about today’s Advanced Placement test in NJ

Yahoo! News - May 7th, 2025

Thousands of high school students across New Jersey are participating in the AP English Literature and Composition exam today, May 7. This is one of the longest and most widely administered Advanced Placement tests, lasting three hours and consisting of a 60-minute multiple-choice section and a 120-minute free-response section where students write three essays. A notable change this year is the reduction of answer choices in the multiple-choice section from five to four, aiming to streamline the test-taking process while maintaining its rigor. The AP Lit exam is a significant academic milestone for many students, particularly juniors and seniors, as it plays a crucial role in college admissions by potentially earning them college credit or advanced placement.

The AP exam schedule is packed, with this week featuring tests in subjects like Physics, Statistics, Chemistry, and U.S. Government, while next week includes exams in Biology, Calculus, English Language, World History, and Art History. These exams begin at 8 a.m. for morning sessions and noon for afternoon sessions. The AP program, which offers college-level courses to high school students, remains a key component in preparing students for higher education and reducing future tuition costs. For New Jersey students, performing well on these exams can enhance their transcripts and help them stand out in the competitive college admissions landscape.

Education College Admissions Ap Lit Exam New Jersey Students Advanced Placement

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RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article offers a clear and timely overview of the AP English Literature and Composition exam, focusing on its structure and significance for students. While it succeeds in providing basic information, its lack of source attribution and transparency in methodology limits its reliability. The article could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including insights from educators or students and discussing the broader implications of AP exams in the educational system. Overall, it serves as a useful informational piece for those directly involved in the AP exam process but lacks the depth and engagement to appeal to a wider audience.

Accuracy

The article provides a generally accurate overview of the AP English Literature and Composition exam, including details about its duration and structure. However, some claims require further verification, such as the change in the number of answer choices for multiple-choice questions, which is not corroborated by other sources. The claim that over 400,000 students take the exam annually is plausible but should be verified with official statistics from the College Board. The comparison of the AP Lit exam with other AP exams in terms of length is accurate but lacks precise references to the official exam durations.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the logistical aspects of the AP Lit exam and its significance for students, particularly in New Jersey. It lacks a broader perspective on how these exams impact students nationwide or the educational system as a whole. The piece could benefit from including viewpoints from educators, students, or educational experts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the exam's role in the academic landscape.

Clarity

The article is well-organized and clearly written, with a logical flow of information. It effectively explains the structure and significance of the AP Lit exam, making it accessible to readers unfamiliar with the topic. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, contributing to the article's overall clarity.

Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources or provide references for its claims, which affects its credibility. It would be strengthened by including data or statements from authoritative sources such as the College Board or educational experts. The lack of source attribution makes it difficult to assess the reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of its information sources and methodology. It does not disclose how the information was obtained or whether there are any conflicts of interest. Providing more context about the basis for the claims made and potential biases would enhance the article's transparency and trustworthiness.