Upcoming changes to the AP French / German Language exams
ETS commenced two years ago a three-step change in the way world language acquisition is to
be assessed. Step one saw the reformatted Spanish language exam where literature was included. Step
two is the reformatting of the German and French language exams.
Step two is not a copy of step one. In fact, the revised AP French / German exams will be
somewhat different in content and format from the current Spanish Language exam. Exact details have
not been released at this time. In the third step, ETS will align all other AP Language exams, Spanish
Language included, with the new format of the French and German language exams.
Specific changes to the AP French / German exams will see the elimination of the fill in the
blanks, rejoinders, scripted dialogues, picture sequence storytelling and 60-second oral responses to
questions. The new exam format will have reading and listening Interpretive content coming exclusively
from native language sources** deemed to clear and easily understood. Content selected for AP
courses should include current global events and problems. Students should have the ability to
synthesize information from multiple sources and to be able to develop a point of view.
The new AP language exams will be composed as follows:
Section I - Interpretive Skills:
Section II - Interpersonal + Presentational Skills
Multiple choice questions: 65 items
1 Interpersonal writing
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4 sets : Reading
1 Interpersonal speaking
2 sets : Reading + Listening
1 Presentational writing
3 sets : Listening
1 Presentational speaking
There will be an emphasis on reading items such as tables, graphs, advertisements and only
one literary text taken from a novel; no poetry.
The exam will be centered around six broad themes (see College Board exam update
document)
Integration of reading and listening will be reflected in the QCMs and in the essay. For
example, a reading will be on the same theme as a listening section OR will relate to the
writing prompt.
There will be a sort of “conversation dirigée” and only one dialogue.
The goal of ETS is to provide equivalent exams in all languages. This standardization will
eliminate the perceived unfairness between exams by the public. ETS will also change the evaluation
nomenclature. Scores of 1 to 5 will no longer be used. Instead, ETS will use the ACTFL descriptions for
language proficiency. The ACTFL levels of: Intermediate-Mid, Intermediate-High and Pre-Advanced are
the targeted proficiency levels for students of the AP language exams.
* All AP teachers will have to submit a new syllabus for AP approval.
** Radio / television interviews, magazine and newspaper articles from target language countries
Information in the bulleted items are attributed to Serena Henault
Upcoming changes to the AP French / German Language exams
Timeline:
August 2010 February 2011 March 2011June 2011 Summer 2011 August 2011 February 2012 -
No penalty (-1/3 pt.) for wrong answers of the multiple choice section.
Published exam / course description on AP Central
Start of new syllabi submissions / new course audit*
Practice exam available at AP Central
Professional development offered for new exam format
School year begins – New exam May 2012
End of submissions for new syllabi / course audit
ETS will keep informed teachers and AP administrators as the three step process continues.
Online participation in AP Central is encouraged.
“One of the main people (who helped determine the ideology and format of the new test) said
that all students need to develop the processes of analysis and synthesis of material across the themes,
but a 5 on the AP test will the one who puts in more DETAILS, as well as better language skills to
communicate them, but she stressed details to support their synthesis. So they'll read two unrelated
passages and write (or talk about them, I suppose) in relation to each other and also all they've
learned and thought about in all 6 themes.”
* All AP teachers will have to submit a new syllabus for AP approval.
** Radio / television interviews, magazine and newspaper articles from target language countries
Information in the bulleted items are attributed to Serena Henault