AP Language & Composition Students Prepare for AP Exams by Caroline Schneider
For Mrs. Boos’ students, AP Language & Composition was more than just an English class—it was a journey of growth. One student in particular, taking Mrs. Boos AP Lang class, junior Magdalena Sergiev highlighted the course’s impact on her ability to think critically and communicate with precision. Sergiev said, “AP Lang has helped me improve my elaboration skills and creative thinking.” The class was designed to refine students' writing techniques while enhancing their understanding of rhetoric, Sergiev felt that it helped her grow in those areas. “The most challenging part was memorizing rhetorical strategies for one of the essays but by studying, I learn more each time,” Sergiev said.
As exam day approached, Sergiev shared her strategy for preparation. "I have been practicing the multiple choice questions and trying to expand my vocabulary by reading books I love," Sergiev stated. She believed that reading widely was key to both enhancing her vocabulary and enjoying the learning process. Her love for reading seamlessly blended with the academic rigor of the class, which helped her build a deeper understanding of language overall. A deskmate in the same class as Sergiev, junior Cassidy Rooney, made similar statements, Rooney said, “AP Lang has helped me grow as a writer and thinker by requiring me to engage different strategies of analysis, synthesis, and using background knowledge to create and support a valid argument.”
As the final weeks before the AP exam ticked by, students were drafting practice essays, refining their arguments, and preparing for the three-part test that asked them to analyze, argue, and synthesize ideas under timed conditions. Rooney felt strongly about her approach to exam day, she said, “I plan to approach the exam day very confident, having studied and reviewed each of my practice test answers and results.” In addition, Rooney offered up some advice for other students who may be considering taking AP Lang. Rooney said, “If you are interested in taking this course, be prepared to practice your writing, reading, and analysis skills because it will help you grow as a writer, thinker, and reader.” For many students like Sergiev and Rooney, the confidence they built through analyzing speeches and crafting arguments will stay with them long after test day.