Information on taking the AP language and composition exam in Ottawa.
Ottawa
Ontario

TPS - AP Language & Composition Exam

Prep in Ottawa

What I should know about AP?

AP stands for Advanced Placement. It is really a test put out by the College Board, the same creators of the SAT and from the test, arises high school courses that can be taken at the high school level to prepare for it. Successful scores may count as credit for 1st year university courses. The scores from them may or may not be accepted by the university according to  individual department admission polices but they are typically accepted in almost all U.S. and Canadian colleges as placement or credit, as do many international universities for first year credit. These classes are target students who wish to get more challenge in their high school experience. These courses use a US college curriculum that is aligned by national standards and the textbook is prescribed by AP. Students often take such courses to get a head start on college level work and to stand out in their admissions application. Many educators now recommends that students demonstrate writing proficiency through a sufficient AP test result in Literature and Composition or its AP Language and Composition test. As this is a challenging test, it might seem almost mandatory to take an AP program either by course or in tutoring, preferably both
 

About AP Language & Composition (AP Lang)

Why would you take this?

 AP offers two English courses—AP English Literature and Composition (AP Lit) and AP English Language and Composition (AP Lang) so why would you take AP Lang?

 I would say take it if:
  1. Your high school even offers a program. You'll need to do this after a tutorial. It seems that the 4 High schools that offer the most are 
    1. The Dunes Alternative High School
    2. West Ottawa High School
    3. Trinity College School
    4. St Andrews College
  2. You’re planning to go to college. This test can help you earn college credit and improve your writing skills, which are essential for almost every major. Is it is crucial for success in your college/university admissions to have an SAT score and a good AP Lang score? If so, AP Lang may be a good choice
  3. You enjoy reading books, articles, or essays and feel confident about writing clear, persuasive, or analytical pieces, this test is for you. It focuses on understanding and creating strong written arguments.
  4. You like subjects like history, politics, philosophy, or literature, this test will help you develop critical thinking and writing skills that are useful in these fields.
  5. It relates to what you want to go into as a career (ie communication-oriented).
  6. You want to get better at analyzing texts, forming strong arguments, and expressing your ideas clearly, this course and test will give you plenty of practice.
  7. You prefer non-fiction while it is not your thing to read and write about fiction, You are not planning to take further courses in English literature or courses that require challenging fiction reading and writing 
  8. Were you quite successful in your previous English class, even if you didn't exactly love the fiction reading?
  9. You’re ready to take on a tougher English class that pushes you to think deeply and write effectively, AP Language and Composition is a great way to challenge yourself and stand out to colleges.

Which Is Harder: AP Literature or AP Language?

Both AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition are challenging, but in different ways.

  • AP Language focuses on analyzing nonfiction, rhetoric, and argumentation. It’s more about understanding how writers persuade and communicate ideas. If you’re strong in critical thinking and writing persuasive essays, this might feel easier.
  • AP Literature focuses on analyzing poetry, prose, and fiction. It requires deeper interpretation of themes, symbols, and literary devices. If you enjoy close reading and discussing literature, this might feel more manageable.

Which is harder? It depends on your strengths. If you prefer logic and argument, AP Language might be easier. If you enjoy creative interpretation and literary analysis, AP Literature might feel less difficult. Both require strong writing skills, but the focus is different.

Structure

The AP English Language and Composition Exam is divided up into 45 multiple choice questions  and 3 free response writing section worth 55 marks. The test is out of 100.
Section I (45%): 45 Multiple Choice Questions (1 hr)
The test questions are loosely split into 2 types
1. Read & Analyze (23-25 questions)
2.  Writing to improve (Read like an writer) (20-22 questions)


Section II (55%): 55 marks for 3 Free Response Writings (2 hr 15 min)
This section included 3 Questions 

  1. Synthesis Questions: From 6 topic-based texts , students will write an 3-sourced argument.
  2. Rhetorical Analysis: From a nonfiction text, analyze  language choices contributions to textual meanings and purposes of the text.
  3. Argument: Students write an evidence-based argument on a given topic.

Home or Online Tutoring

TPS has tutors who are experiences with both exams. You would follow the CollegeBoard textbooks. Call 613 447 1622 or email an inquiry at [email protected]. Check on the standards and requirements on our AP Language and Composition Tutor page

Test Taking Process in Ottawa


If you're at a high school in Ottawa and want to take the AP Language and Composition test, here’s what you need to do in simple steps:

First, look at our page on Ottawa testing schools, fees and cancellation polices
Check if Your School Offers AP Courses: First, find out if your school offers AP Language and Composition as a course. If it does, you can enroll in the class, which will prepare you for the test. In Ottawa, many schools that offer AP courses also serve as testing centers for their students. However, the specific list of AP testing centers can vary from year to year, and some schools may only administer exams to their enrolled students.
To find the most accurate and up-to-date information about AP testing centers in Ottawa, I recommend the following steps:
  1. Contact Local High Schools: Reach out to high schools in Ottawa that are known to offer AP courses, such as Colonel By Secondary School, Lisgar Collegiate Institute, or Glebe Collegiate Institute. They can confirm whether they serve as testing centers.
  2. Visit the College Board Website: The College Board, which administers the AP program, provides a tool to search for AP test centers. You can use their website (https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/) to find testing locations near you.


 

Summary of the Steps

  1. Talk to Your Guidance Counselor: If your school doesn’t offer the course, or if you’re studying independently, speak to your guidance counselor. They can help you register for the AP exam and let you know if your school is an AP testing center.
  2. Register for the Exam: If your school is an AP testing center, you can register through them. If not, your counselor can help you find a nearby school that offers the test. You’ll need to register by the deadline, usually in November.
  3. Pay the Exam Fee. The AP exam fee is typically around $130 USD (subject to change). If you’re registering through another school, confirm the exact cost and payment method with their AP coordinator. Fee reductions may be available for eligible students. Check with your school or the administering school for details.
  4. Prepare for the Test: Use study materials like textbooks, online resources, or practice exams to prepare. The test includes multiple-choice questions and essays, so practice both.
  5. Take the Test: The AP Language and Composition test is usually held in May. Arrive on time with the required materials (e.g., pencils, pens, and a photo ID).
  6. Get Your Results: Scores are released in July and range from 1 to 5 and can be accessed online through your College Board account.. A score of 3 or higher may earn you college credit, depending on the university.

Additional Notes:
  1. If you’re an international student, ensure you’re aware of any additional requirements or deadlines for AP exams in Canada.
  2. If you’re home-schooled, you can still register for AP exams by contacting a local school that administers them.
  3. If you have more questions, your guidance counselor or AP coordinator at your school can provide further details.
Contact:  (613) 447 1622  ([email protected])
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