AP English Lit Score Calculator

How It Works

The AP English Literature & Composition exam has two parts: Section I (Multiple Choice) with 55 questions, and Section II (Free Response) with three essays—Poetry Analysis, Prose Fiction Analysis, and Literary Argument. Each essay uses a 6-point rubric.

Default weights are MCQ 45%, essays together 55% (approximately 18.3% each). You can edit weights, totals, and the scoring curve in Advanced Settings.

We compute a weighted raw percentage and map it to a 1–5 score using adjustable bands. The exact AP curve varies each year based on exam difficulty and overall student performance.

Inputs Explained

• MCQ Correct and Total: Enter the number of multiple choice questions you answered correctly out of 55 (default). You can change the total if you used a different practice test.
• Poetry Analysis: Enter rubric points (0-6 by default) for the poetry essay, which requires close reading and interpretation of a poem.
• Prose Fiction Analysis: Enter rubric points (0-6 by default) for the prose fiction essay, which analyzes a passage from a novel or short story.
• Literary Argument: Enter rubric points (0-6 by default) for the argument essay, which develops a thesis about a literary work you've studied.
• Advanced Settings: Adjust section weights (must sum to 100%), edit per-essay totals if your rubric differs, and customize score band thresholds to match a specific curve.

Example Calculation

Let's walk through a sample calculation:

• MCQ: 34 out of 55 → 34 ÷ 55 ≈ 61.8%
• Poetry: 4 out of 6 → 4 ÷ 6 ≈ 66.7%
• Prose: 5 out of 6 → 5 ÷ 6 ≈ 83.3%
• Literary Argument: 3 out of 6 → 3 ÷ 6 = 50.0%

Using the default weights (MCQ 45%, Poetry 18.3%, Prose 18.3%, Argument 18.3%), the weighted raw percentage is:

(0.618 × 0.45) + (0.667 × 0.183) + (0.833 × 0.183) + (0.500 × 0.183) ≈ 0.278 + 0.122 + 0.152 + 0.092 = 0.644 → 64.4%

With the default curve, 64.4% falls into the 60-74% range, yielding an estimated score of 3.

Tips & Notes

• Curves Change by Year: College Board adjusts the curve annually based on overall performance. Treat this calculator as a planning guide, not a prediction.
• Essay Strategy: Write a clear thesis, cite specific textual evidence (quotes with line numbers or page references), explain how your evidence supports your interpretation, and aim for coherence. Small rubric gains can move your estimate significantly.
• Custom Curves: If your teacher shares a curve, edit the bands in Advanced Settings to mirror it for more accurate self-assessment.
• Practice Close Reading: For poetry and prose essays, practice identifying literary devices (imagery, metaphor, tone, syntax) and explaining their effect. For the argument essay, know multiple literary works well enough to cite specific examples.
• Time Management: Practice writing complete essays in the allotted time. Pacing is crucial—aim to spend about 40 minutes per essay in Section II.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

Educational tool only. Unofficial estimate. Not affiliated with the College Board. This AP English Lit Score Calculator is provided for informational and practice purposes. The estimated scores are based on approximate scoring curves that may differ from actual College Board curves, which vary each year. Always refer to your official AP score report for your actual exam results.

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