What to expect for the AP Spanish exam

What can we expect from the Spanish AP exam? First lets get into what the actual test is made of:

The AP Spanish Exam takes on average around three hours. It is split into two sections: multiple choice and free response, each of which have two parts.

Section I (multiple choice): Section one is composed of 65 multiple choice questions, which will take approximately an hour and 35 minutes. This section is 50% of the total exam score. It is broken up into two parts. Part A is composed of 30 questions and a time limit of 40 minutes. This part is made up of "authentic print materials" (aka: journals, advertisements, charts, maps etc). Questions asked are based around contextual vocabulary, the main idea, the intended audience and the authors point of view based on the text. Part B is 35 questions within a time limit of around 55 minutes. It is created of "authentic audio materials," which includes but is not limited to: interviews podcasts and presentations. Part B is split into two subsections: the first is both audio and print, and the second being solely audio. Time is given to look over questions, audio is played twice and notes are encouraged to be taken, though will not be scored.

Section II (free response): Section II is the other half of the total exam score, taking around an hour and 28 minutes. Section two is made up of two parts, which both have two tasks. Part A (writing) will take around 70 minutes and is contains interpersonal writing and presentational writing. The time allotted to complete the interpersonal writing is 15 minutes, which requires one to read and respond to an email. The presentational writing is a persuasive essay based on three different sources which include tables and graphs, articles and an audio source. This writing will take around 55 minutes to complete, 15 of which are recommended to be used to review material and 40 to actually write the essay. Part B (speaking) is 18 minutes and composed of interpersonal speaking and presentational speaking. Interpersonal speaking is typically five  twenty second responses in a conversation. Presentational speaking is a two minute presentation on a cultural topic and a comparison to one's own community.


So now that we know what the test is composed of here are the three types of communication that are essential to know and some tips to better yourself:

Interpersonal: Engaging in conversation, and expressing opinions in both writing and speaking. Be able to express information and opinions and be able to support them, in both formal and informal settings

• Participate as much as you can (class discussions, talk to fluent peers or use technology)
• DON'T worry about mistakes, just practice using the language

Interpretive: Understanding topics and main ideas of written and spoken language. Understand main ideas and details.

• It is not necessary to understand every single word
• Read, listen and watch materials in Spanish (podcasts, television shows, movies, newspapers, music)
• learn about the cultural practices

Presentational: Presenting ideas and information to an audience. Be able to organize information around a main idea with supporting details as well as narrate, persuade, compare or explain.

• Tell stories, make speeches, write essays and movie reviews
• It is necessary to prepare information and present in an organized fashion

Good luck to anyone taking the AP Spanish exam

What I expect for myself when taking the AP exam:

Concerns & Weaknesses: One of my biggest concerns is time, which is a difficulty I have taking most AP exams. With the AP Spanish exam having so many parts, it is crucial to use your time wisely. One of my weaknesses is formatting presentational speaking. In typical talk and conversation, it is not usual to have an introduction and conclusion. This will be the biggest struggle for me because I often forget or have certain ideas muddle and intertwine in my head when speaking, which will definitely prove more difficult for me in Spanish.

Strengths: My strength will most likely be the interpretive aspect of the AP exam, since I am fairly decent at getting the big picture, but not necessarily ever itty gritty little detail.