Are you a student struggling with AP Latin? Not to worry, here are some methods to ace the exam. Latin is considered a ‘dead’ language, meaning it is no longer spoken or used in everyday conversations, except in Vatican City. Therefore, proficiency in the language does not require you to be able to speak it, however it is still a very technical language. Likewise, AP Latin is a very challenging course, focused on studying Virgil’s Aeneid, and Caesar’s Gallic War, two of the greatest works of Latin literature. AP Latin also includes a plethora of grammar rules, translation, history, and vocabulary memorization.
Format
The exam is formatted in two sections, multiple choice and free response questions. The multiple choice section consists of fifty questions, with sixty minutes to complete them. The vast majority of these questions deal with reading comprehension, and the remaining questions mostly assess your ability to contextualize readings and require you to be knowledgeable about Roman history, culture, etcetera. This portion of the exam is very important, as it is worth 50% of your score. The free response questions and the essay together are worth the other 50% of your score. You have 120 minutes to finish this section, completing your responses on your own time.
When to take AP Latin
AP Latin may sound overwhelming, but here are my tips to do well on the course. First and foremost, there are no prerequisites for taking AP Latin. However, you need to be able to understand the required texts. This typically means that you need a solid foundation in Latin, so you should preferably be in your third or fourth year of studying it. One of my friends took the exam with less than three to four years of experience with Latin, so it is possible, but it was a very stressful experience for them, so I would still recommend starting early.
Practice Tests
To prepare for your exam, start by assessing your current skills. Take a practice test or practice some questions. College Board’s course description has a few practice questions, in which you can search up questions based on areas that you might need a bit more practice in, and make sure to be specific in your search. Now, once you’ve taken a practice test, focus on areas that you did not do as well in. Review the materials and brush up on your skills in general. As you study, partly concentrate on vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. Being proficient in these areas will make it easier to translate sections of texts, because in addition to translating known texts, you will also be asked to translate passages by sight without preparation. Consequently, your ability to read and comprehend passages accurately and quickly is very important, as you don’t have much time on the exam, which is something I struggled with a bit. Remember to concentrate on passage analysis and building clear arguments based on the texts that you are given. You should be able to place texts in the broader context of Roman history. Be sure to practice all the questions that will be on the exam, including multiple choice questions and free response questions. These can be easily accessed online.
Resources
There is not one universally regarded textbook designed for the exam, so you can choose whichever one you think will help you the most. Personally I think that Vergil’s Aeneid: A Fully Parsed Vocabulary Guide for the AP Latin Exam and Caesar’s Gallic War: A Fully Parsed Vocabulary Guide for the AP Latin Exam are reliable resources, both of which can be found on Amazon. I also used a few miscellaneous textbooks and many online resources. You certainly should not be relying on one or two textbooks to prepare for your exam. After reviewing the materials, I recommend doing another practice test to be certain of your abilities.
Routine
I also recommend having a routine or schedule to organize your studying, and try to repeat it very often with minimal breaks. As long as you cover all the areas that you need to be covering, it doesn’t really matter how you decide to structure your time, rather dedication and repetition are more important.
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps on your phone can be a fun way to brush up on your Latin, especially your vocabulary. Be warned, some of the apps can be a bit pricey. Make sure to read the reviews before you spend money on anything! The SPQR Latin app was one that I downloaded, and I even practiced Latin on Duolingo sometimes, just for fun. Taking vocabulary quizzes online is very helpful as well.
Ultimately, AP Latin is one of the more difficult AP exams, and you do have to put in a considerable amount of work to do well on it. It is not an exam that you want to cram for, especially if you do not have a good number of years studying Latin under your belt. However, the experience is very rewarding, and you will learn a lot about the language along the way. You got this!
References
“AP Latin Exam – AP Central | College Board.” AP Central, https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-latin/exam. Accessed 17 July 2023.
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