Basic Principles of Cracking the AP Lit Test Code

1. Basic Principles of Cracking the AP Lit Test Code Rapert/AP Lit

2. Have a plan to use time well and guess wisely and aggressively • Note the time: 60 minutes total for 4 sections on multiple choice= 15 minutes per section • Understand that you will probably only complete 3 sections well • Choose a section to do last: decide which will be hardest for you • Choose a section to do first: easiest for you • Read the passage w/concentration and care • Do not read the questions first (you will forget anyway)

3. Guess aggressively by understanding raw score • Points are everything!!! • More points mean a higher score • 1 point for correct answer • 0 points for a blank answer *No penalty for guessing • 32-35 is a GOOD score on M.C. section if strong on essays. • Goal is to get a final score of 4 • Student A might answer all 52 questions, but miss 16=32 • Student B might answer only 32 questions and get all correct=32 • Student C might answer 34 correctly, skip 10, and get 8 wrong=32

4. Guessing is really an opportunity • DO NOT LEAVE BLANKS • If you have read the passage, the question, and all the choices, at least GUESS • Only skip questions for TIME MANAGEMENT

5. Guessing wisely using the process of elimination • Most of the time you will be unsure of the correct answer on the AP Lit test(test authors purposely write appealing wrong answers) 1. Look for the WRONG answers and eliminate them 2. Half bad = all bad (.1 bad equals all bad) 3. Eliminate answers in 2 to 3 sweeps 3. Choose finally using gut instinct

6. Time management is the key factor • There is no law that says you have to do the passages in order—in fact, DON’T. Glance over all four—begin with the easiest and save the toughest for last. • To find the toughest passage: older poetry/prose, archaic forms, tough language (read first sentence—if you are already confused, it will be tough). {know your weaknesses} SCAN THE FIRST FEW LINES OF ALL TO DECIDE

7. Time management contd. • Plan to skip a passage---YES!!! • Why??? • You go from 15 minutes a passage to 20 minutes per passage • The reading is incredibly tough—you need time to focus on comprehension to be accurate • If your rush you will answer incorrectly • You will most likely not have enough time to complete passage 4 anyway • Leave yourself 5-7 minutes to do last passage using wise guessing

8. The 7 minute passage technique for the final passage • The vast majority of students complete 3.5 passages • If you have 7 minutes left to do passage 4 take emergency measures: 1. Do not read the passage 2. Find the questions that do not require reading **Vocabulary comprehension (usually 2 q’s per set) ** Questions that send you back to a specific line or two within the passage (usually two or three q’s) *** Then, if time, scan passage and make a wise guess on the general comprehension questions

9. Summary • Have a plan: • Note the time (take a watch) • Pick a passage to do last • Pick a passage to do first • CAREFULLY read the passage • Answer all the questions for chosen passage • Use 7 minute strategy for final passage, if time ● Process of Elimination: • Guess aggressively • Use POE ALWAYS • Eliminate in 2 to 3 sweeps • Remember to guess, try to avoid skipping if you’ve read question

10. DONE, t’aint no more