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Exam Format: French Literature
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| | Format for the Exams
This three-hour exam measures how well students can understand, analyze, and interpret literary texts and their ability to write competent critical essays in French. The multiple-choice section counts for 40 percent of the final AP grade; the free-response section counts for the remaining 60 percent. Students are not allowed to use dictionaries or other reference works during the exam.
Section I consists of passages of prose, poetry, and drama (some of which are from works on the required reading list), followed by questions on their content, structure, and style. It is not necessary for students to have previously studied the texts on which the questions are based (vocabulary glosses are provided where appropriate), nor to recognize their authors. The questions do require students to understand the meaning of the text (what is stated or implied); to notice and interpret patterns of imagery, diction, or syntax; to recognize and understand figurative language; and to identify tone.
Section II consists of a textual analysis and an essay, both written in French. Students are given 50 minutes for each question. Each response is scored on both content and use of language:
- For the textual analysis question, students analyze a poem or prose passage selected from the reading list and printed in the exam booklet. They are asked to write in French in response to three or four questions about the text.
- For the essay question, students write in French on a given literary topic, basing their answers on one or two of the texts from the required reading list. They all write on the same topic but can usually choose from two required works to use for analysis and illustration. In order to perform well, students should avoid plot summary and make their references to the works as precise and pertinent as possible.
AP French Literature Exam Format
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% of Grade |
Number of questions |
Minutes Allotted |
| Section I |
40 |
68 |
80 |
| Section II |
60 |
2 (1 directed analysis, 1 essay) |
100 |
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