No doubt you've heard of the AP Spanish exam. Would you like to know how it works and how to prepare for it? We've got you covered!
Also known as Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish allows students to earn credit for a college-level Spanish class. As such, the exam is considered equivalent to a college-level Spanish 301 final exam.
The exam tests not just technical ability with the language but also how well examinees use it to express and argue complex ideas. Therefore, it takes in-depth study to perfect the advanced skills you'll need. Read on to learn what it involves and how to study for it!
How the AP Spanish exam works
The three-hour exam is split into two parts, each of which makes up 50% of the total score.
Section 1 - Multiple Choice
The first section of the exam lasts 1 hour 35 minutes. Examinees are presented with 65 total questions, which are further split into two parts:
Part A - Interpretive Communication: Printed Texts
This part comprises 30 questions over 40 minutes. It contains four groups of printed materials. These could be announcements, advertisements, literary texts, articles and charts, letters, etc. Each will have questions that will require you to:
- Identify the main ideas and supporting information
- Figure out what words mean from context
- Identify what the writer thinks or who they're talking to
- Show that you understand the culture and other information in the text
Part B - Interpretive Communication: Printed Texts + Audio
This part comprises 35 questions over 55 minutes. It includes audio sources like conversations, reports, interviews, instructions, and presentations. It is divided into two subsections:
- Two audio sources with printed texts (on the same topic) with questions
- Three audio sources with questions
According to the College Board's website, all audio will be played twice, and examinees can take notes during this section.
Section 2 - Free Response
The second section requires examinees to complete 4 tasks in 1 hour 28 minutes. The tasks are as follows:
Part A - Written Tasks
This 1 hour 10 minutes section contains two tasks:
- Interpersonal Writing: Read and reply to an email (15 minutes)
- Presentational Writing: Write an argumentative essay based on materials provided, such as texts, visuals and audios (55 minutes)
Part B - Spoken Tasks
The final part of the exam is only 18 minutes long and contains 2 tasks:
- Interpersonal Speaking: Simulated conversation (20 seconds for each response)
- Presentational Speaking: Deliver a brief presentation comparing a cultural feature of a Spanish-speaking community to one of another community (2 minutes)
How to prepare for the AP Spanish exam
This in-depth exam tests both your language knowledge and skills. Only with a well-rounded grasp of the Spanish language and culture can you achieve a good grade. So how should you start sharpening your skills?
1. Find your weaknesses
The first step is figuring out your weakest area.
Some students like to use past exam questions to practice. These can help you find out which area of language trips you up the most.
Scoring guidelines are available for these old questions, but it can be difficult to gauge what you would've scored. To make real progress, many prefer a more active type of study.
Our kwizzes provide immediate feedback so you can see where you went wrong and why. These help you not only identify what you need to work on but also figure out how to improve.
2. Drill those areas
Once you know what you need to work on, use our Spanish lessons and exercises to make progress. They are detailed, concise and expert-created which will help you break down even the most advanced Spanish language concepts.
Kwizbot will make you a personalised Study Plan that targets the areas that need more work. Then take more kwizzes to track how you've improved!
3. Monitor your progress
Once your skills become more well-rounded, what should you focus on next?
We have a tool called a Brainmap, to visualise your progress and help you identify what's missing in your language skills. Use it to figure out the next step in your personal Spanish journey. And remember to keep practising the skills you already have to keep them up to standard.
Practice makes la perfección!
In 2025, the AP Spanish exam is happening on Thursday, May 15th. Whether you're studying for this year or next, Kwiziq is here to help you learn and refine advanced Spanish skills. Together, we can make sure you get the results you deserve!
Use our lessons, exercises, and kwizzes to study for your AP Spanish exam. Get access to all these resources by signing up for a FREE Progress with Lawless Spanish account today!
