Summary of the AP French Language Examination
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The exam is approximately 3 hours long.
o 1 hour and 35 minutes of multiple choice questions
o 1 hour and 25 minutes of free-response writing and speaking

Reading : 25%
o Approximately 40 minutes (4-5 sets of reading, 30 questions). There will be a minimum of one
promotional material, one literary text, one article and chart, and one letter.
Listening : 25%
o Approximately 55 minutes (35 questions). This section consists of two parts :
Part 1 : audio texts that are paired with print materials (2 sets)
Part 2 : audio texts only (4 sets)
o For both parts students will have 4 minutes to read and skim the questions (only 1 minute to read a
chart) before listening to the audio. All audio texts will be played twice. Most audio sources last 1
min. 30 sec to 2 min. 30 sec.
o The order for the listening is as follows: 1 minute to read the directions and look over the questions,
first-time listen ,1 minute to answer questions, 2nd –time listen, 15 seconds per question to go over
answers a final time.


Writing : 25%
o Approximately 70 minutes. This section consists of two parts:
Part 1 : Interpersonal writing : E-mail reply (15 min.)
The e-mail should be written in a formal manner. Students will need to respond to two questions
and ask at least two questions, asking for more details about something mentioned in the e-mail.
Formal letter closing techniques must be used.
Part 2 : Presentational Writing : Persuasive essay (55 min.)
The essay is based on three sources that present different viewpoints on a topic. Students will have
to read an article, study a table or graphic, and then they will listen twice to a related audio. They
will have 40 minutes to write an essay in response to a prompt using the information from all three
sources to present and defend your viewpoint. Students will have access to the print sources and
any notes taken on the audio during the entire 40-minute writing period.

Speaking : 25%
o Approximately 15 minutes. This section consists of two parts :
Part 1 : Interpersonal Speaking : conversations- 5 prompts. (20 seconds for each response.)
Students are asked to respond to questions as part of a simulated conversation. They are provided a
preview of the conversation, including an outline of each exchange. Students will be given 30
seconds to read the questions based on each dialogue before listening to the dialogue. Students will
be asked to start and stop recording at various points during the speaking part of exam.
Part 2 : Students must make a 2-minute presentation in response to a prompt on a cultural topic.
You will have 4 minutes to read the topic and prepare your presentation. They compare cultural
features of their own community to those found in an area of the French-speaking world with
which they are familiar. Students should cite examples from materials they’ve read, viewed and
listened to, as well as from personal experiences and observations. Organize presentations clearly :
1. Students should talk about themselves and their community.
2. Next, they should answer based on information they have learned regarding the Frenchspeaking world.