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Ultimate Guide to the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

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The AP Spanish courses are the most popular AP foreign language classes. In fact, they’re so popular that two sets of Spanish curricula exist: AP Spanish Language and Culture and AP Spanish Literature and Culture. This is the only AP foreign language that has more than one course offering. In 2019, over 185,000 students took the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, making it by far the most popular foreign language exam taken. 

The curriculum for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam emphasizes communication by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. As you undertake the coursework or exam preparations, you will need to focus on understanding others and being understood by others. If you’re planning to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, whether you have taken the class, are a native speaker, or have self-studied, read on for a breakdown of the test and CollegeVine’s advice for how to best prepare.

When is the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam?

The College Board will administer the 2020 AP Spanish Language and Culture exam on Tuesday, May 12, at 8 am. For a complete list of all the AP exams, along with tips for success and information about how students score, check out our article 2020 AP Exam Schedule: Everything You Need to Know.

About the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish and includes instruction in vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. 

Although there is some emphasis placed on correct grammar usage, the College Board specifically warns against overemphasizing grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. Instead, more time will be spent on applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication skills in real-life situations, exploring the culture in both contemporary and historical contexts, and building an awareness and appreciation of cultural products, practices, and perspectives.

There are no explicit prerequisites for the AP Spanish Language and Culture course, but students who take it are typically in their fourth year of high school-level Spanish language study or have extensive practical experience communicating in both written and oral Spanish language.

There are four essential components to the framework of the AP Spanish Language and Culture course that clarify what you must know, be able to do, and understand to qualify for

college credit or placement. Those components are skills, themes, modes, and task models. 

Skills: Skills are the abilities you’ll need to think and act like a Spanish speaker. The College Board breaks these skills into eight units; below is a list of those units along with the weight they are given on the multiple-choice section of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam: 

Themes: The AP Spanish Language and Culture course is divided into 6 themes in which there are 5-7 contexts covered. Below are the 6 themes along with their recommended contexts:

Modes: To pass the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, students need to demonstrate proficiency engaging in three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. Students need to possess skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing in the following areas: 

• Audio, Visual, and Audiovisual Interpretive Communication
• Written and Print Interpretive Communication
• Spoken Interpersonal Communication
• Written Interpersonal Communication
• Spoken Presentational Communication
• Written Presentational Communication

Task Model: Finally, you will work with various task models to demonstrate linguistic skills and cultural understanding. The task model types are: 

AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam Content

At 3 hours and 3 minutes long, the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam is one of the longer-lasting AP exams. It consists of two primary sections—the first section featuring multiple-choice questions, and the second made up of free response questions.

The multiple-choice questions are further broken down into two parts—one part based on text as a stimulus, the other part uses audio as a stimulus. 

Section 1(a): Multiple-Choice Text

40 minutes | 30 questions | 23% of score

The first part of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam uses a variety of printed materials—journalistic and literary texts, announcements, advertisements, letters, charts, maps, and tables—as a stimulus. You’re asked to identify ideas and details, define words in context, identify an author’s point of view or target audience, and demonstrate knowledge of cultural or interdisciplinary information contained in the text. 

Example of a text-based multiple-choice question: 

Answers to multiple-choice questions above: 

Section 1(b): Multiple-Choice Audio

55 minutes | 35 questions | 27% of score

The second part of the multiple-choice section uses audio material—interviews, podcasts, PSAs, conversations, and brief presentations—as a stimulus. In this part of the exam, students will encounter two subsections of questions. 

• In the first subsection, you’re asked to answer questions using two audio sources and related print materials as a stimulus. 
• The second subsection uses three audio sources (and no print material) as the stimulus. 

Example of a question you’ll encounter in the audio-based multiple-choice section, click on the question for audio: 

Answers to the multiple choice questions above:

The free-response section of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam is also broken down into two parts—one part focusing on writing, and the other on speaking. 

Section 2 (a): Free Response Written

1 hour 10 minutes | 2 questions | 25% of score

The first free response section features two questions—one on interpersonal writing and the other on presentational writing. The first of the two questions require you to read and respond to an email. You have 15 minutes to complete this section, and it’s worth 12.5% of your exam score. The second of these questions provides three sources—including an article, a table, graph, chart, or infographic, and a related audio source offering different viewpoints on a topic—that you will use to construct an argumentative essay. This question is allotted 55 minutes (15 minutes to review materials and 40 minutes to write) and is also worth 12.5% of your exam score. 

Example of an email free-response question: 

Section 2: Free Response Spoken

18 minutes | 2 questions | 25% of score

The spoken part of the free response section tests your interpersonal and presentational speaking ability. For interpersonal speaking, you will participate in five exchanges in a simulated conversation with 20 seconds for each response. For the second part, you’re tasked with delivering a two-minute presentation requiring you to compare a cultural feature of a Spanish-speaking community to another community you are familiar with. 

When delivering oral responses, you will be digitally recorded and your proctor will submit your recordings with the rest of your test materials. Learn more about submitting audio on the College Board’s webpage of the same name, Submitting Audio . 

Example of a spoken, presentational, free-response question: 

AP Spanish Language and Culture Score Distribution, Average Score, and Passing Rate

In 2019, students generally did quite well on the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam. More than half of all students received a score of 4 or 5, and nearly 90% of test-takers received a passing score (3 or higher). Though students who regularly spoke or heard Spanish outside of school did perform slightly better overall than the standard group of foreign language students, the standard group still passed the exam at a rate of nearly 85% and only 3% received the lowest score of a 1.      

To guide your studying, read the full AP Spanish course description . For a comprehensive listing of the score distribution on all of the AP exams, check out our post Easiest and Hardest AP Exams .

Best Ways to Study for the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

Step 1: start by assessing your skills.

It’s important to start your studying off with a good understanding of your existing knowledge. Although the College Board does not provide a complete practice test, you can find sample questions with scoring explanations included in the course description . Additionally, you can find a free AP Spanish Language and Culture diagnostic test from Varsity Tutors. You may also find practice or diagnostic exams in many of the commercially printed study guides.

Step 2: Study the Material

In the case of the AP Spanish Language and Culture course, the theory you’ll need to know falls into six themes (Beauty and Aesthetics, Contemporary Life, Families and Communities, Global Challenges, Personal and Public Identities, Science and Technology). Many textbooks will be divided into units based on these themes. Even if they are not, you should find threads of them throughout your studies. 

Of course, the best way to study a foreign language is to truly immerse yourself in it. Although your course will be taught primarily in Spanish, this will account for only a tiny percentage of your day. You should find other ways to further your exposure to the Spanish language, and given the prevalence of Spanish in our own contemporary culture, this should not be difficult. You can easily find engaging young adult books written in Spanish, interesting Youtube videos or TV shows in Spanish, or even Spanish podcasts. Check out comic books, news, or websites in Spanish. Make sure you are speaking, listening to, and reading Spanish as much as possible, even outside of your regular study or class hours.     

The College Board also provides some valuable study tools for your use. Reviewing the AP Spanish Language and Culture Course and Exam Description can help you to more deeply understand the course content and format. You should also review the exam audio files and the official Exam Practice Tips to help guide your studying.

In addition, you should take advantage of the many commercial study guides available for your use. One of the top-rated AP Spanish Language and Culture study guides is the Princeton Review’s Cracking the AP Spanish Language & Culture Exam with Audio CD, 2020 Edition . This compilation of content reviews and strategies also contains two full-length practice tests with complete answer explanations and access to the Princeton Review’s AP Connect portal online. Another great option is Barron’s AP Spanish Language and Culture with MP3 CD, 8th Edition , which again contains two full-length practice exams with audio sections for both practice exams.

There are also vast amounts of study materials available online. Taking one of the more popular AP exams means that many students have been in your shoes, and often they or their teachers have posted past materials to supplement their studying. You can find a huge database of resources including sound files, Spanish reading sites, and grammar sites— this site is a good place to get started.

Finally, apps are a relatively new and fun way to squeeze in a little more studying. The Fluent U app is a great option for AP foreign languages. The basic version is free, but watch out for in-app purchases. The premium versions can set you back between $30 and $240 dollars.   

Step 3: Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

Once you’ve got a good handle on the major course content and theory, you can begin putting it to use. Start by practicing multiple-choice questions. You will be able to find plenty of these available online (for example, study.com has a free 50-question online practice test ) for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, or you can try the practice ones provided in commercial study guides.

The College Board course description also contains a number of multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations. As you are reviewing these, keep track of which broad content areas are coming easily to you and which still require more effort. Think about what each question is really asking you to do, and keep a list of vocabulary, grammar, and content areas that still seem unfamiliar. These will be points for more review before you move on.

Step 4: Practice Free Response Questions

Even if you’ve studied for the free response section of other APs in the past, your studies for the free response section of the foreign language AP exams will be quite different. In addition to practicing your written responses, you’ll also need to fine-tune your listening skills and oral responses.

Begin your preparations by brushing up on your vocabulary and grammar. Make sure you have a handle on a broad variety of verbs and how to conjugate each. Also, reaffirm that your knowledge of vocabulary will allow you to express yourself as fluently as possible. A great tool for this is a supplementary set of Barron’s AP Spanish Flash Cards . These cards emphasize word usage within the context of sentences and review parts of speech, noun genders, verb forms and tenses, and correct sentence structure.

Beyond vocabulary and grammar, your studies should also include practicing written and oral responses. The best way to specifically prepare for both the written and spoken portions of your free response questions is to practice repeated similar prompts. There is a huge resource of past free response questions available on College Board’s website dating back to 1999, with accompanying scoring explanations and examples of authentic student responses. 

To make the most of these example free response questions, review the Chief Reader Report on Student Responses wherein the Chief Reader of the AP Exam compiles feedback to describe how students performed on the prompts, summarizes typical student errors, and addresses specific concepts and content with which students have struggled the most. 

It can be especially difficult to prepare for the oral portion of your free response section since it’s difficult to identify your own spoken errors. Try recording your responses and comparing them to the authentic student responses available above. Alternatively, collaborate with a classmate to record and trade responses, offering one another constructive criticism framed by the scoring examples available above.

Step 5: Take Another Practice Test

Just as you took a practice test at the beginning of your preparations to gauge your readiness for the exam, do so again after a thorough review of the course content and each exam portion. Identify the areas in which you’ve improved the most, and areas still in need of improvement. If time allows, repeat the steps above to incrementally increase your score with each pass.

Step 6: Exam Day Specifics

If you’re taking the AP course associated with this exam, your teacher will walk you through how to register. If you’re self-studying, check out our blog post How to Self-Register for AP Exams .

For information about what to bring to the exam, see our post What Should I Bring to My AP Exam (And What Should I Definitely Leave at Home)?

Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey.

For more information about APs, check out these CollegeVine posts:

• 2020 AP Exam Schedule
• How Long is Each AP Exam?
• Easiest and Hardest AP Exams

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

AP Spanish Language and Culture

Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.

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About the Course

Do you know in which countries Spanish is spoken? And do you know that in Mexico, in addition to Spanish, there are more than 67 indigenous languages? Do you want to learn which Hispanic painters were known as “The Elephant and the Ant,” or which is the highest navigable river in the world? Immerse yourself in this cultural adventure through the second most spoken language in the world, and learn about issues such as family, identity, health, technology, global challenges, art, and many other topics.

¿Sabes en qué países se habla español? ¿Y sabes que en México además del español hay más de 67 lenguas indígenas? ¿Quieres aprender a qué pintores hispanos se les conocía como ‘El elefante y la hormiga’ o cuál es el río navegable más alto del mundo? Sumérgete en esta aventura cultural a través del segundo idioma más hablado del mundo y aprender sobre asuntos como la familia, la identidad, la salud, la tecnología, los desafíos mundiales, el arte, y muchos otros temas que seguro expandirán y enriquecerán tu mente y te convertirán en un ciudadano mundial.

Skills You'll Learn

Understanding Spanish when you hear it and read it

Holding conversations in real-life situations

Writing stories, letters, emails, essays, and other texts

Equivalency and Prerequisites

College course equivalent.

An intermediate level (typically third- or fourth-semester) college course in Spanish language

Recommended Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites, but students are typically in their fourth year of high-school-level study. In the case of native or heritage speakers, there may be a different pathway of study leading to this course.

Thu, May 15, 2025

AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam.

About the Units

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.

Course Content

Unit 1: families in different societies.

You’ll learn Spanish language skills in the context of studying family life and values in Spanish-speaking communities and explore contemporary beliefs and challenges that families face.

Skills you will practice may include:

• Interpreting promotional materials
• Understanding the elements of a formal letter
• Describing data from a table, chart, graph, map, or infographic
• Conducting an interview
• Crafting an email reply
• Participating in an informal conversation
• Giving a presentation related to family and society

Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

You'll build your vocabulary and learn about how language and culture shape and reflect evolving ideas about identity in Spanish-speaking societies.

• Identifying the main idea and summarizing short stories
• Comprehending articles and infographics
• Interpreting audio and video reports
• Drawing connections between texts and their larger cultural context
• Justifying ideas and opinions in writing
• Giving a presentation comparing Spanish cultural concepts to familiar ones

Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

You'll explore how ideas of beauty and art influence and reflect culture in Spanish-speaking communities.

• Analyzing articles, advertisements, and promotional materials about art
• Interpreting literary texts
• Understanding what is included in the format of typical letters and interpreting their meaning
• Interpreting data represented in charts
• Crafting an email
• Practicing conversational skills through class discussion
• Giving a presentation comparing art across cultures

Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

You'll examine how developments in science and technology affect daily life in Spanish-speaking communities and use your growing language skills to help you interpret unfamiliar words and engage in more complicated texts.

• Interpreting charts, tables, infographics, and maps in context
• Understanding and responding to interviews
• Comprehending verbal instructions
• Interpreting a range of sources and perspectives around a topic
• Writing essays and citing sources
• Giving a presentation on the impacts of scientific and technological developments

Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

You'll learn more about contemporary life in Spanish-speaking communities and how social status, cultural perspectives, and access to jobs and resources can make an impact on the quality of life.

• Connecting literary texts to larger cultural topics
• Interacting with online tools
• Interviewing community members
• Understanding video interviews
• Interpreting instructions
• Crafting an email reply using idioms and expressions
• Participating in conversations and debates
• Giving a presentation comparing cultures and quality of life

Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

You'll explore how complex global issues affect people's lives in Spanish-speaking communities and engage in deeper discussions to suggest possible solutions.

• Analyzing articles and charts on environmental issues
• Listening for connections and meaning in video reports
• Making cultural connections among video presentations
• Writing essays to address global issues and suggest solutions
• Giving a presentation comparing reactions to global challenges across cultures

Credit and Placement

Search AP Credit Policies

Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.

Course Resources

Ap classroom resources.

Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos, any assignments from your teacher, and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.

• Go to AP Classroom

AP Spanish Language and Culture Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.

Become a Global Citizen with AP World Language and Culture Courses

Learn how AP world language and culture courses can broaden your perspective and help you communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Go to College Board Blog

Speak a Second Language? You’re a Step Ahead for AP

Learn more about how an AP world language and culture course can help enhance your language skills and deepen your understanding of your cultural heritage.

¿Hablas un segundo idioma? Entonces ya has dado un paso para AP

Sigue leyendo para conocer cinco maneras en las que te vas a beneficiar al tomar cursos AP de lengua y cultura mundial.

See Where AP Can Take You

AP Spanish Language and Culture can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors

Additional Information

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., guide to the ap spanish language & culture exam.

The AP ®  Spanish Language and Culture Exam is a college-level exam administered every year in May upon the completion of an Advanced Placement Spanish Language course taken at your high school. If you score high enough, you could earn college credit!

Check out our AP Spanish Guide for the essential info you need about the exam:

• AP Spanish Exam Overview
• AP Spanish Sections & Question Types
• AP Spanish Scoring
• How to Prepare

What's on the AP Spanish Language & Culture Exam?

The College Board requires your AP teacher to cover certain topics in the AP Spanish Language & Culture course. As you complete your review, make sure you are familiar with the following topics:

• Families in Different Societies
• The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity
• Influences of Beauty and Art
• How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives
• Factors That Impact the Quality of Life
• Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

For helpful exam review and test-taking strategies, check out our book,  AP Spanish Language & Culture Prep

Sections & Question Types

The AP Spanish Language & Culture Exam is just over 3 hours long to complete and is comprised of two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. There are two parts to the multiple-choice section, and four questions in the free-response section.

Part A Multiple-Choice Questions

The first part of the multiple-choice section contains sets of questions based on one or more print text sources.

Part B Multiple-Choice Questions

The second part of the multiple-choice section contains sets of questions based on audio text sources, as well as a combination of audio and print text sources.

Free-Response Questions

• In Question 1: Email Reply, students are required to compose a formal email response in Spanish. They must include a greeting, a closing, and respond to all questions and requests in the incoming email. They must also ask for details about something mentioned in the incoming email.
• In Question 2: Argumentative Essay, students are required to write an essay as a submission to a Spanish writing contest. The topic is based on three sources, a combination of audio and print sources. The students must form an argument, defend their position, and integrate information from all three sources into their essay.
• In Question 3: Conversation, a student must participate in a simulated conversation where they have five turns in the conversation. They have 20 seconds to respond in each turn.
• In Question 4: Cultural Comparison, the student must compare an aspect of a Spanish-speaking community with the student’s own, or another, community. They must demonstrate an understanding of the cultural features of this Spanish-speaking community with an organized and clear presentation, using varied and appropriate language.

Read More: Review for the exam with our AP Psychology Crash Courses

What’s a good AP Spanish Score?

AP scores  are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or 5 on the AP Spanish Language & Culture exam, but some may grant credit for a 3. Here’s how students scored on the May 2020 test:

Source:  College Board

How can I prepare?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP Spanish content and strategy, pick the  AP prep option  that works best for your goals and learning style.

• AP Exams  

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52 Spanish Essay Phrases for Your AP Exam

In order to do well on the AP Spanish exam’s   free-response  section, you must be able to write a persuasive essay based on three Spanish-language sources.

Here we’ve put together a list of 52 vocabulary words and essays phrases that will come in handy for making and supporting arguments in your AP Spanish essays.

Handy Essay Phrases for Writing a Strong Spanish AP Composition

Starting your essay, agreeing and disagreeing, stating an opinion, supporting an opinion, contrasting (or comparing), transitional phrases, changing topics, concluding your essay, how to prepare for the ap spanish essay, what are the details of the ap spanish essay.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Para empezar – To begin with

Hoy en día – Nowadays…

Hoy en día, las personas están en Internet hasta ocho horas por día. (Nowadays, people are on the Internet up to eight hours per day.)

A manera de introducción – We can start by saying…

Como punto de partida – As a starting point

Al principio – At the beginning… 

En primer lugar  – To start… 

Empecemos por considerar – Let’s begin by considering…

Estoy de acuerdo/No estoy de acuerdo — I agree/I disagree

Estoy de acuerdo con lo que dice el autor. (I agree with what the author says.)

No estoy de acuerdo con la idea principal de la fuente número dos . (I disagree with the main idea of source number two.)

En mi opinión — In my opinion

En mi opinión, los jóvenes deberían comer más sano. (In my opinion, young people should eat healthier.)

La verdad es   — The truth is

La verdad es que todavía hay mucha desigualdad en los Estados Unidos . (The truth is there is still a lot of inequality in the United States.)

Es verdad  — It’s true

Es verdad que las redes sociales pueden ser peligrosas . (It’s true that social media can be dangerous.)

Es falso   —   It’s false

Hay gente que dice que las redes sociales son peligrosas, pero esto es falso . (There are people who say that social media is dangerous, but this is false.)

Me parece/No me parece   —   It seems to me/It doesn’t seem to me

Me parece bien que los niños asistan a colegios bilingües . (I think it’s a good idea that children attend bilingual schools.)

No me parece bien que los niños asistan a colegios bilingües . (I don’t think it’s a good idea that children attend bilingual schools.)

Remember that since me parece implies an opinion or emotion, you must conjugate the verb in the subjunctive tense.

(Yo) pienso que   —   I think that

Yo pienso que no hay nada más importante que la familia . (I think that there is nothing more important than family.)

(Yo) creo que  — I believe that

Yo creo que todos los adolescentes deberían aprender a tocar un instrumento . (I believe that all adolescents should learn to play an instrument.)

The following phrases all have the same structure: Es  + adjective +  que .

This structure is similar to the English “It’s [adjective] that…” and is great for expressing and supporting opinions in a strong and confident manner. Here are some phrases that are especially useful when making and defending claims in a persuasive essay:

Es evidente que   —   It’s evident that

Es claro que   —   It’s clear that

Es cierto que  —   It’s certain that

Es obvio que   — It’s obvious that

Es importante que  — It’s important that

Es necesario que   — It’s necessary that

Es probable que   —   It’s probable that

Es dudoso que  — It’s doubtful that

For some of these phrases, the verb following the word que must be conjugated in the indicative, while others require the subjunctive . A good rule of thumb is that when implying that something is certain, use the indicative. When expressing doubt or expressing some other emotion, use the subjunctive.

On this list, evidente, claro, cierto  and obvio use indicative verbs, and importante, necesario, probable  and dudoso use subjunctive verbs.

Es cierto que nuestro clima está cambiando . (It is certain that our climate is changing.)

Es importante que la gente sepa hablar más de un idioma . (It’s important that people know how to speak more than one language.)

These words will help you refer to your three sources, which contain information that will help you support your argument. This section also contains transition words to connect one part of your argument to the next.

Según   — According to  

Según el autor… (according to the author…)

La fuente  —   The source

Según la fuente numero 1… (According to source number one…)

El tema   —   The theme/topic

Esto es un tema muy importante. (This is a very important topic.)

Mostrar   —   To show

La fuente muestra la importancia de la diversidad. (The source shows the importance of diversity.)

Remember, mostrar is an o-ue stem-changing verb—pay attention to conjugation!

Demostrar   —   To demonstrate

La tabla demuestra que muchos jóvenes en España juegan al fútbol. (The table demonstrates that many youths in Spain play football.)

Demostrar is also an o-ue stem changing verb. Luckily for you, it follows the exact same conjugation rules as mostrar !

Indicar   —   To indicate

La tabla indica que hay muchas familias pobres en ese barrio. (The table indicates that there are many poor families in that neighborhood.)

Apoyar   —   To support

Estos datos apoyan la idea de que el clima está cambiando. (This data supports the idea that the climate is changing)

Sin duda   — Without a doubt

Sin duda, el cambio climático es el problema más grave que enfrenta nuestra planeta. (Without a doubt, climate change is the most serious problem that our planet faces.)

Por otra parte   — On the other hand

Es importante que la economía crezca, pero por otra parte, tenemos que cuidar el medio ambiente. (It’s important that the economy grows, but on the other hand, we have to care for the environment.)

Aunque   — Even though/Although

Aunque is followed by an indicative verb when the outcome is known, but a subjunctive verb when the outcome is speculative.

Aunque cuesta mucho dinero, tenemos que buscar una solución. (Even though it costs a lot of money, we have to search for a solution.)

Aunque cueste mucho dinero, tenemos que buscar una solución . (Even though it may cost a lot of money, we have to search for a solution.)

Al igual que  —   Just like

Al igual que en los años 40, hoy en día hay mucha gente que no quiere ayudar a los refugiados de guerra . (Just like in the 40s, today there are many people who don’t want to help war refugees.)

Tanto… como… — … as well as…

Fill in this phrase with two nouns to emphasize that you’re talking equally about two different things.

Tanto chicos como chicas deberían aprender a cocinar, limpiar, coser y cuidar a los bebés. (Boys as well as girls ought to learn how to cook, clean, sew and care for babies.)  

Sino   —   But rather

Remember that Spanish has two translations for the English word “but.” The word sino is like the English phrase “but rather,” used to introduce an alternative.

En comparación  —   In comparison

En comparación, la fuente número 2 indica que hay más obesidad en Estados Unidos que en España . (In comparison, source number 2 indicates that there is more obesity in the United States than in Spain.)

Leer no es una pérdida de tiempo, sino una manera de aprender y de conocer otras culturas . (Reading isn’t a waste of time, but rather a way to learn and understand other cultures.)

Además  — Additionally

This word is usually seen at the beginning of a sentence, and it’s useful for transitioning from one idea or argument to another.

Además, es evidente que la tecnología nos ayuda mucho. (Additionally, it’s evident that technology helps us a lot.)

Sin embargo   —   However

This is another good transition word. In your essay, you may want to present an alternate argument and then explain why you disagree with it. Sin embargo is very helpful for this.

Obviamente, estudiar es muy importante. Sin embargo, es necesario que los adolescentes tengan tiempo para jugar con sus amigos . (Obviously, studying is very important. However, it’s necessary that teenagers have time to play with their friends.)

Por lo cual   —   For this reason/That’s why/Which is why

This phrase is used in the middle of a sentence to connect ideas.

La Amazonía tiene un alto nivel de biodiversidad, por lo cual la conservación de esta región debe ser una prioridad.  (The Amazon has a high level of biodiversity, which is why the conservation of this region must be a priority.)

Sobre un tema relacionado — On a related topic

Sobre un tema relacionado con la inteligencia artificial, se están llevando a cabo investigaciones para mejorar la capacidad de aprendizaje de los algoritmos de machine learning.  (Regarding a topic related to artificial intelligence, research is being conducted to enhance the learning capacity of machine learning algorithms.)

Cuando se trata de –  When it comes to

Relacionado con esta idea — Related to this idea

Una idea similar es — A similar idea is

Una idea similar es utilizar la realidad virtual como herramienta educativa para mejorar la experiencia de aprendizaje de los estudiantes. (A similar idea is to use virtual reality as an educational tool to enhance the learning experience of students.)

Ahora estoy pasando a  — Now moving onto

In your final paragraph, you’ll want to provide a summary of your main argument and your main supporting points. You can use the following helpful phrases:

En conclusión   —   In conclusion

En resumen   —   In summary

En fin   —   Finally

En conclusión,/En resumen,/En fin, las tres fuentes muestran que la contaminación del aire es un problema muy grave para todo el mundo . (In summary, the three sources show that air pollution is a very serious problem for the whole world.)

After summarizing your essay, you’ll want to restate your main argument in a succinct, strongly-worded sentence. Start with these phrases:

Por estas razones   —   For these reasons

Por eso  — That is why

Así que   —   Therefore

Entonces  — So

Por estas razones,/Por eso,/Así que/Entonces, afirmo que los adolescentes no deberían usar las redes sociales. (For these reasons, I affirm that teenagers should not use social media.)

In many ways, preparing for the free-response section is the same as preparing for the rest of the AP exam.

It involves studying grammar and vocabulary, and it also means immersing yourself in the Spanish language as much as possible.

There are also some targeted ways to practice for the free-response section.

• Do practice exams and read sample essays. The College Board  has posted the full AP exams from the last several years. Try to read the sources and write the essay in the allotted 55 minutes. When you’re done, go back and slowly revise your essay for errors in grammar, spelling and logic. After that, you can also check out the grading rubric provided by the College Board and several sample persuasive essays . Try to compare your essay against the rubric and the samples to see how you can improve your writing.
• Practice summarizing and analyzing Spanish-language sources. Remember all those great resources listed above? Well, it’s not enough to just read or listen to them. The whole point of the presentational essay is to measure your ability to summarize, synthesize and argue. So, after you read or listen to a Spanish-language source, take five minutes to summarize it—on paper. Identify the main argument, and then make a bulleted list of important points. Finally, write a few sentences summarizing your personal opinion.
• Learn targeted vocabulary for talking about opinions and arguments. Is there anything more frustrating than knowing exactly what you want to say, but not having the vocabulary to say it? This article lists many crucial vocabulary words for expressing and supporting opinions in persuasive essays. Using these words and phrases will help make your writing flow more smoothly, and allow you to argue with more credibility.
• Use authentic content to immerse yourself so you get used to thinking in Spanish. A virtual immersion program like FluentU can help you get going with a bit more structure.

You can also find some great info on great news outlets , podcasts , YouTube channels  and blogs —all in Spanish. Even following some Spanish Twitter feeds or listening to Spanish music can be a great way to work a little language practice into your day.

The free-response section of the exam is meant to test your ability to communicate with others in spoken and written Spanish.

There are two essays in the free-response section. The interpersonal essay asks you to respond to an email. The presentational essay  tests how well you can draw information from Spanish-language sources, form an argument and write formally. This second essay is a little less straightforward, so we’ll walk you through it here.

So, how does it work?

The presentational essay is based on three sources . Two of them are written sources and one is an audio source.

These sources can be just about anything: Advertisements, articles, infographics, letters, maps, interviews, radio programs, podcasts and conversations are just some examples of the types of sources you may encounter.

You’ll have about 55 minutes to complete this particular essay. First, you’ll have six minutes to read the prompt and the two written sources, and then you’ll hear the audio source twice. Finally, you’ll have 40 minutes to plan and write your essay.

The essay is graded on the basis of Spanish language skills like reading, listening, writing and grammar—but it’s also based on your general ability to analyze the sources and make a strong, coherent argument.

Of course, learning vocabulary and essay phrases is just one way to prepare for the free-response section.

Remember to expose yourself to as many Spanish-language sources as you can before test day, and don’t forget to think critically about those sources as you read them!

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Specialty Spanish

Ideas and Resources for Spanish Teachers

Tips For the AP Spanish Argumentative Essay

Need some help with the AP Spanish Argumentative Essay? In my humble opinion, it is the most complicated task our AP Spanish students will have to complete. El ensayo argumentativo requires excellent reading skills, listening skills and writing skills. So how can we help our students do well on this part of the AP Spanish exam? Here are some tips!

Tip #1 Direct Instruction

Students need to understand what exactly they need to do for the AP Spanish Argumentative Essay. Consider taking the class time to have a mini lesson that provides the specifics and details of the expectations. Here is a short list of what students should know.

-2 readings; one in narrative form and usually on graph or chart

-1 listening source

-each source must be referenced at least once in their essay

-writing needs to be organized and concise

-only 1 hour to read, listen and write!

I created this Google Slides presentation for the direct instruction I provide to my students. Feel free to create one too, or use mine to save time!

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay Tip #2

Don’t assume that your students have good writing skills. *Yes, they need to understand what they read and hear. Let’s assume that they are practicing those skills daily in one way or another in class. But in my experience, students really struggle with organizing their writing.

Teach them how to write a concise introductory paragraph that ends with a thesis statement (the answer to the question that was asked for the task).

Then teach them how to write a topic sentence. When they have a clear topic sentence, their paragraph is much more likely to stay on track. This is really important, because the time constraint on this section of the AP Exam is a big challenge!

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay Tip #3

Design teacher-friendly ways for students to practice.

Let’s face it. Students need lots of practice and lots of feedback to get good at this essay. But essays are very time consuming to write and very time consuming to grade.

The strategy I use with my students is to break the essay into parts and allow them to practice one part at a time.

Day 1: Direct instruction followed by a set of sources

-Teach students how to focus on what the question is

-Encourage them to underline, star and highlight important parts of the text

-Ask them to take notes while listening

*Now, develop a thesis/answer to the question. Teach them to choose the one that’s easier to prove rather than the one they believe is the right answer!

Pair students. Have them write the introductory paragraph only. I am always shocked with how many students need help getting the formula right for their intro. I tell them to put their thesis statement last! Why don’t they?? Lol!

Giving feedback on just one paragraph is far less overwhelming and time consuming than grading a whole essay, especially if they’re working in pairs! Half the correcting!

Once they have a good intro paragraph, have them move on to their topic sentences for each body paragraph. Ask them to identify a quote/idea from each source to include within their paragraph.

When you are happy with their topic sentences and quotes, now they can write their conclusion. This part is easier- it’s the inverse of their introduction!

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay Tip #4

Share resources!

At least for me, it took me a long time to feel confident in my instruction for the AP Spanish Argumentative Essay. I did not have a colleague- I was (and still am) the only one teaching the course at my school. The College Board did not have AP Classroom, or at least nothing like what exists now. I had never heard of Teachers Pay Teachers.

Therefore, I learned by trial and error and created everything from scratch. It was time consuming. Like…. years!!!!

Profes, don’t do that to yourself!

If you have a teaching partner in your school, or maybe someone you know from another district, divide and conquer! Share what you create!

Here are the resources I know about that may help you and your students gain confidence regarding the Argumentative Essay!

AP Spanish Language and Culture: the College Board site (has lots of lessons, videos and free practices!)

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay: Sample Intro Paragraphs (FREEBIE!)

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay Feedback Checklist (My lifesaver!)

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay: Graphic Organizer for Student Practice

AP Spanish Argumentative Essay: How To

Test Prep Growing Mega Bundle (This includes all my materials for the open ended sections of the AP Spanish test)

Other Posts You May Like

Argumentative Essay Part 1

Argumentative Essay Part 2

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AP Lesson Plan, Posters, Lesson Plan Templates, Goal-Setting, Presentations How-To Handouts, and more!

Get the password to my FREE Resource Library!!

Click here!

AP® Spanish Language

How to approach ap® spanish language free-response questions.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

The AP® Spanish Language Course targets interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication through writing, reading, speaking, and understanding. Strategies that emphasize vocabulary, language structure, communication, and culture in both contemporary and historical contexts are taught almost exclusively in Spanish. Instruction is often interactive, using Spanish books, music, and patterns of social interactions within a culture to familiarize students with the language.

This AP® Spanish study guide will briefly outline the format of the AP® Spanish Language Exam, putting particular emphasis on the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response section. It will provide insights into why the free-response section is important to the overall test results, mention content covered in the free-response section, and discuss how to prepare for AP® Spanish Language Free-Response section. Finally, this guide will provide you with AP® Spanish Language Exam tips to help you answer the free-response questions on the day of the test, and provide AP® Spanish Language practice questions.

What is the Format of the AP® Spanish Language Exam?

The AP® Spanish Language Exam is approximately three hours long and consists of two sections divided into several components.

The first section asks test takers to complete a number of listening and reading comprehension questions. Here students are asked to listen to prerecorded interviews, radio programs, podcasts, or to read articles from newspapers, web pages, special reports, or literature, and answer multiple choice questions about each of them.

The second section, also referred to as the “AP® Spanish Free-Response” section, lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. It deals with writing and speaking both informal and formal Spanish. The Interpersonal Writing component, for example, asks that students look over a document – an email, perhaps – and respond with a written answer. The Presentational Writing component asks students to draw together an argument from a number of sources like articles, tables, graphs, or an audio artifact to express their views on a particular topic.

Students also interact with documents in the informal and formal speaking component as well. In the Interpersonal Speaking component, test takers are given five listening passages meant to provoke conversation. Students then respond to the clip for about 20 seconds per question. The Presentational Speaking component asks that test takers speak for a bit longer – for two minutes, to be exact. Here they are given a prompt on a cultural topic, where they are asked to compare how such an issue may be similar or different in their own community and that of a Spanish-speaking country.

Why is the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response Important?

The AP® Spanish Language Exam is scored by a team of college faculty and seasoned AP® teachers trained in fair-mindedness and uniformity. This Free-Response section, like the multiple choice section, is 50% of your final exam grade – so it’s pretty important. The weighted scores from the Free-Response section are combined with those from a machine-graded multiple choice. These are summed and given an AP® composite score of a 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 (5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest).

What Content is Covered in the Free-Response Section of the AP® Spanish Language Exam?

The exam tests the social, cultural, academic, and workplace skills you have been developing throughout your AP® Spanish course. In particular, test-takers are presented with questions on global challenges, science & technology, contemporary life, personal and public identities, families and communities, and beauty and aesthetics. Within these themes, students are asked to interact with an assortment of media, voice their opinions, and make connections and comparisons between English and Spanish speaking communities.

How can Test Takers Prepare for the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response Section?

In this section, you’ll find a few suggestions on how you can conduct your own AP® Spanish review during your free time. The CollegeBoard also offers some additional insights to get test-takers ready for test day. You can find out more by clicking here .

One way to prepare for the writing section of the exam is to look through various review books — in addition to your textbook, AP® Spanish: Preparing for the Language and Culture Examination by José M. Díaz, Prentice Hall’s Una Vez Más (Once More), or Triángulo (Triangle) by Barbara Gatski all come highly recommended. When looking through these books, check out a few practice questions that are modeled after writing prompts from the test. Doing a few practice drills will better acquaint you with the sorts of essay questions asked on the test. If your AP® Spanish teacher has the time, ask them to go over any mistakes you may have made while working out your answers.

You’ll improve your Spanish skills by speaking the language on a daily basis. As mentioned, the exam asks you to discuss various topics in Spanish, for times ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. Practicing this skill will be invaluable. Without limiting yourself, speak in simple, frank sentences that use vocabulary and grammar you are most conversant in. Investing in a digital recorder so that you can practice speaking into it is one way to improve your oral communication skills while developing muscle memory for particular tough-to-pronounce Spanish sounds.

How can Test Takers Answer the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response Questions?

Albert offers test takers some useful tips to prepare them for the writing section of the AP® Spanish Language exam (see Albert’s The Ultimate List of AP® Spanish Language Tips for further details). Here are a few more insights regarding how you may want to tackle answering these during the exam.

AP® Spanish Language Essay Tips & Advice

• Begin your paragraphs with clear topic sentences and follow them with well-organized supporting sentences. Link paragraphs with transitional phrases like De esta manera, como resultado, además de eso.
• Write neatly in pen.
• If using difficult sentence structures, be sure you use them correctly. Practice these prior to the example so that you’ll have them down to a science!
• Incorporate each of the sources you’re being asked to discuss.
• Be sure to follow the directions so that you answer what is being asked of you. If, for example, an email prompt asks that you “include a greeting and a closing,” so be sure to include this in your reply.
• Show off your language skills by using the subjunctive.
• The Presentational Writing component asks that you write a persuasive essay. Be sure that you include a strong argument backed up with the sources provided to support your position. You may want to reference and disclaim the opposing arguments first, to strengthen your point.

Interpersonal and Presentational Speaking Examples and Tips

• Use the time you have to talk! If you get stuck, return to the main idea to help jog your memory.
• Rather than using filler words in English (ahh, but, so, and…), try Spanish fillers instead (pues, bueno, y, o sea, entonces… )
• Don’t be afraid to correct any mistakes you’ve made.
• Keep your Interpersonal Speaking answers casual.
• Be sure to address the task or answer the question presented to you.
• Consider who you are talking to and decide if you should use informal ( tú ) or formal ( Usted ) pronouns.
• Jot down an outline, grammar notes, or a vocabulary bank to glance upon in case you get stuck.
• The Presentational Speaking component is formal, so remember who your audience is and adjust accordingly.
• Stay organized by building your comparisons off of a thesis or main idea, then go into differences and similarities with supporting evidence. Remember to conclude with a summary of your arguments.
• Outline key ideas, but do not script what you want to say.
• Remember that in this section you are being asked to compare aspects of your culture with those of a Spanish-speaking culture. Jot down a Venn diagram or other visual tools to help you organize your claims.
• Research a few specifics on Spanish speaking countries so that you’ll have cultural references to draw from.
• Use transition words like además, por ejemplo, por otro lado, aunque, por el contrario…
• Remember it is okay to talk about your personal experiences. Use this to support your opinion.

What are the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response Questions Like?

Below you’ll find some examples of real Free-Response Questions from the CollegeBoard’s AP® Central (you can check out specific details and more sample questions here ). Try a few of these questions in the months before the test to ensure you are getting your fill of AP® Spanish practice!

Example 1 : You will write a reply to an e-mail message. You have 15 minutes to read the message and write your reply. Your reply should include a greeting and a closing and should respond to all the questions and requests in the message. In your reply, you should also ask for more details about something mentioned in the message. Also, you should use a formal method of address.

Example 2 : You will write a persuasive essay to submit to a Spanish writing contest. The essay topic is based on three accompanying sources, which present different viewpoints on the topic and include both print and audio material. First, you will have 6 minutes to read the essay topic and the printed material. Afterward, you will hear the audio material twice; you should take notes while you listen. Then, you will have 40 minutes to prepare and write your essay. In your persuasive essay, you should present the sources’ different viewpoints on the topic and also clearly indicate your own viewpoint and defend it thoroughly. Use information from all of the sources to support your essay. As you refer to the sources, identify them appropriately. Also, organize your essay into clear paragraphs.

Example 1 : You will participate in a conversation. First, you will have one minute to read a preview of the conversation, including an outline of each turn in the conversation. Afterward, the conversation will begin, following the outline. Each time it is your turn to speak, you will have 20 seconds to record your response. You should participate in the conversation as fully and appropriately as possible.

Example 2 : You will make an oral presentation on a specific topic to your class. You will have four minutes to read the presentation topic and prepare your presentation. Then you will have two minutes to record your presentation. In your presentation, compare your own community to an area of the Spanish-speaking world with which you are familiar. You should demonstrate your understanding of cultural features of the Spanish-speaking world. You should also organize your presentation clearly.

How can Test Takers Practice for the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response Section?

In summary, there are a lot of resources that test takers can draw from to help them with the AP® Spanish Language Free-Response section. Wrap your mind around as many interviews, radio programs, podcasts, newspapers, web pages, special reports, or literature in Spanish as you can handle. Meet with your fellow students or Spanish speakers in your community to attend Spanish cultural events and films, Discuss current global events; the latest tech gadgets; or your love, family, or work life. In other words, if you engage with the language on a daily basis, you’ll not only be developing skills that will help you practice for the test, but you’ll be opening yourself up to unique social worlds in new and dynamic ways.

Looking for AP® Spanish Language practice?

Kickstart your AP® Spanish Language prep with Albert. Start your AP® exam prep today .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, ap spanish language and culture exam format.

Hi! I'm gonna take AP Spanish Language and Culture next year, but I'm not really familiar with the exam format. Can someone please explain the different sections and what types of questions I should expect? Really appreciate any help!

Hi there! I'd be glad to help you understand the format of the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam. The exam consists of two main sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response, each making up 50% of your total score.

1. Multiple Choice Section:

This section consists of two parts: Interpretive Communication (Print and Audio Texts) and Interpretive Communication (Print and Audio Texts Combined). In total, there will be around 65 questions and you'll have 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete them.

a) Interpretive Communication (Print and Audio Texts): You'll be asked to read various texts (such as articles, advertisements, or literary excerpts) and respond to questions related to their content, main ideas, and supporting details. Some questions may also ask about vocabulary, tone, or author's perspective.

b) Interpretive Communication (Print and Audio Texts Combined): This part will present you with a variety of texts that include both print (articles, infographics, etc.) and audio components (interviews, news reports, etc.). You'll have to answer questions based on both the written and audio information.

2. Free Response Section:

This section is divided into four tasks which assess your Interpersonal Writing, Presentational Writing, Interpersonal Speaking, and Presentational Speaking skills. You'll have 1 hour and 28 minutes to complete the tasks.

a) Interpersonal Writing: You'll be given an email (a prompt) and will need to write a response in Spanish. Your response should be well-structured, accurately address the prompt, and use appropriate vocabulary and grammar.

b) Presentational Writing: In this task, you'll be asked to write an essay in Spanish, comparing and contrasting information from a set of sources (such as articles, graphs, or images). Your essay should present a clear argument, use evidence from the sources, and demonstrate your ability to analyze and synthesize information.

c) Interpersonal Speaking: This task involves a simulated conversation in Spanish. You'll be given a series of prompts and will need to respond to them as if you were having a conversation with a partner. Your responses should be appropriate and coherent, demonstrating your ability to hold a conversation in Spanish.

d) Presentational Speaking: Finally, you'll be asked to deliver a 2-minute oral presentation in Spanish. You'll be given a specific topic and some time to prepare before you start speaking. Your presentation should be structured, clear, and coherent, demonstrating your understanding of the topic and your ability to communicate it effectively.

I hope this breakdown helps you better understand the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam format. Good luck with your preparation!

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2024 AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam Guide

8 min read • june 18, 2024

Your Guide to the 2024 AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP Spanish Language and Culture exam . This guide will continue to update with information about the 2024 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day.  Unlock Cram Mode  for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions.

Format of the 2024 AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

This year, all AP exams will cover all units and essay types. The 2024 AP Spanish Lang exam format will be:

• 30 questions in 40 minutes
• 35 questions in 55 minutes
• ~ 2 minutes
• ~ 6 minutes

Scoring Rubric for the 2024 AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam

You can find the AP Spanish Language scoring rubrics   here , courtesy of the College Board .****

Check out our study plan below to find resources and tools to prepare for your AP Spanish Language and Culture exam! 

When is the 2024 AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam and How Do I Take It?

** The exam is on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 8:00 AM your local time. Exams will be in person on paper.  **

 ---------------

How Should I Prepare for the Exam?

• First, download the  [object Object] - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses!
• Review every unit and question type, and focus on the areas that need the most improvement and practice. We’ve put together this plan to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam- - Try to immerse yourself in Spanish: watching movies or videos, chatting with friends, and reading news in Spanish will help you be more fluent by the time the exam comes!
• We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.
• Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via  Cram Mode . Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.

Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment

Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.

🖥 Create a study space.

Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space. 

📚 Organize your study materials.

Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!

📅 Plan designated times for studying.

The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.

🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.

How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!

🤝 Get support from your peers.  

There are thousands of students all over the world who are preparing for their AP exams just like you! Join  Rooms  🤝 to chat, ask questions, and meet other students who are also studying for the spring exams. You can even build study groups and review material together! 

AP Spanish Language and Culture 2024 Study Plan

👨‍👨‍👧 unit 1: families in different societies.

Unit 1 dives into the various themes related to families in the Spanish-speaking world. Some major questions we will consider are:

• What constitutes a family in Spanish-speaking societies? /  ¿Qué compone una familia en una sociedad hispanohablante?
• What are some important aspects of family values and family life in Spanish-speaking societies? /  ¿Cuáles son algunos aspectos importantes de los valores y la vida familiar en las sociedades hispanohablantes?
• What challenges do families face in today's world? /  ¿Qué retos enfrentan las familias de hoy?

Some Resources:

📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 1 Overview
• 1.1 Families in Different Societies
• 1.2 Family Customs and Values
• 1.3 Challenges Families Face in Spanish-Speaking Countries
• 1.4 Global Challenges
• 1.5 Possible Prompts for Unit 1 If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻  Learn about the best prep books so you can start studying early:

• Best AP Spanish Language Textbooks and Prep Books

🗣 Unit 2: The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity

This unit plunges deeper into a few aspects of personal and public identity by analyzing the influences that language and culture have on forming one's identity. Our guiding questions for this unit are:

• How does one’s identity evolve over time? /  ¿Cómo se desarrolla nuestra identidad a lo largo del tiempo?
• How does language shape our cultural identity? /  ¿Cómo moldea la lengua nuestra identidad cultural?
• How does technology influence the development of personal and public identity? /  ¿Cómo influye la tecnología en el desarrollo de la identidad pública y personal?
• How does the art of a community reflect its public identify? /  ¿Cómo refleja el arte de una comunidad su identidad pública?
• Unit 2 Overview
• 2.1 The Influence of Language and Culture on Identity
• 2.2 Beauty and Aesthetics
• 2.3 Contemporary Life
• 2.4 Science and Technology
• Possible Prompts for Unit 2 If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻 It is never too early to want to prepare for the exam:

• 🏆 How to Get a 5 in AP Spanish Language

🎨 Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

This unit guide will explore how beauty and art influence quality of life and values in Spanish-speaking communities.

• How do ideals of beauty and aesthetics influence daily life? /  ¿Cómo influyen los ideales/ modelos de belleza y estética en la vida diaria?
• How does art both challenge and reflect cultural perspectives? /  ¿Cómo el arte desafía y a la vez refleja las perspectivas culturales?
• How do communities value beauty and art? /  ¿Cómo valoran las comunidades la belleza y el arte?
• How is art used to record history? /  ¿Cómo se usa el arte para documentar la historia?
• Unit 3 Overview: Influences of Beauty and Art
• 3.1 Beauty and Aesthetics
• 3.2 Personal and Public Identities
• 3.3 Contemporary Life
• 3.4 Families and Communities If you have more time or want to dig deeper:

💻 Check out these AP Spanish Language Self-Study/Homeschool tips:

• 🏠  AP Spanish Language Self-Study and Homeschool

🔬 Unit 4: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives

This unit will explore how science and technology affect the lives of those living in Spanish-speaking communities.

What factors drive innovation and discovery in the fields of science and technology? / ¿Qué factores impulsan la innovación y los descubrimientos en los campos de la ciencia y la tecnología?

What role do ethics play in scientific advancement? /  ¿Qué papel juega la ética en los avances científicos?

What are the social consequences of scientific or technological advancements? /  ¿Cuáles son las consecuencias sociales de los avances científicos y tecnológicos? 📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 4 Overview: How Science and Technology Affect Our Lives
• 4.1 Science and Technology
• 4.2 Global Challenges
• 4.3 Contemporary Life
• 4.4 Personal and Public Identities
• Possible Prompts for Unit 4

🏘️ Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

This unit will dive into some specific factors that impact our quality of life. 

How do aspects of everyday life influence and relate to the quality of life? /  ¿Cómo influyen y se relacionan los aspectos de la vida diaria con la calidad de vida?

How does where one live impact the quality of life? /  ¿Cómo impacta la calidad de vida el lugar donde se vive?

What influences one’s interpretation and perceptions of the quality of life? /  ¿Qué influye en nuestra interpretación y en nuestras percepciones de la calidad de vida? 📚 Read these study guides:

• Unit 5 Overview: Factors that Impact the Quality of Life
• 5.1 Contemporary Life
• 5.2 Global Challenges
• 5.3 Science and Technology
• 5.4 Beauty and Aesthetics
• 5.5 Tourism and Cuisine

⛈️ Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

This last unit explores how global challenges and complex issues impact people's lives in the Spanish-speaking world. Some guiding questions are:

How do environmental, political, and societal challenges positively and negatively impact communities? / ¿Cómo los desafíos medioambientales, políticos y sociales impactan, positiva—o negativamente— nuestras comunidades?

What role do individuals play in addressing complex societal issues? /  ¿Qué papel juegan los individuos a la hora de abordar asuntos sociales complicados?

• How do challenging issues affect a society’s culture? /  ¿Cómo los asuntos desafiant es afectan la cultura de una sociedad? 📚 Read these study guides:
• Unit 6 Overview: Environmental, Political, and Societal Changes
• 6.1 Economic Issues
• 6.2 Contemporary Life
• 6.3 Population and Demographics
• 6.4 Families and Communities
• 6.5 Possible Prompts for Unit 6

Key Terms to Review ( 18 )

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• Arabia Mountain High School

Dekalb County Schools

• Emergency Procedures
• Council Members
• 2023-2024 Meeting Agendas and Minutes
• Principal's Page
• School Board Member
• Attendance Office
• Required Documents
• Student Work Permit
• Selective Service
• Infinite Campus Parent Assistant
• Counseling Department
• Nurse's Clinic
• Student Code of Conduct
• Social Media Guidelines for Students
• Counseling Dept. Handbook
• Course Description Guide
• Dual Enrollment
• Governor's Honors Program
• Testing Information
• Student Resources
• School Choice
• Registration
• Clever/Launchpad
• Library Media Center
• General Information
• Post-Secondary Resources
• Career & Employment Resources
• Self Advocacy Resources
• 2024 Summer Assignments
• Digital Dreamers
• LMC Policies
• Destiny Catalog
• LMC Sign-in/out
• DCSD Launchpad (Clever)
• Principal Advisory Council
• Nurse's Station
• Family Engagement
• Virtual Learning Support
• Student Accident Insurance
• Work-Based Learning
• Senior Page

AP Spanish 2020-2021

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EXAM: 3 HOURS

Exam questions are based on the six learning objectives and assess all themes. As much as possible, students read and listen to authentic texts from the Spanish-speaking world throughout the exam.

The AP Spanish Language and Culture Course and Exam Description provides complete details about the exam.

Format of Assessment

• Interpretive Communication: Print Texts
• Interpretive Communication: Print and Audio Texts combined and Audio Texts

Section II : Free Response | 4 Questions | ~ 1 Hour, 28 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score (each question is weighted equally)

• Question 1: Email Reply
• Question 2: Argumentative Essay
• Question 3: Conversation
• Question 4: Cultural Comparison

AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam Format  

Multiple-Choice Questions

For sample multiple-choice questions, refer to the  Course and Exam Description .

Free-Response Questions

Below are free-response questions from past   AP Spanish Language and Culture Exams .

2021: Free-Response Questions

AP Spanish Language and Culture 2021 Audio Scripts

Speaking Audio Prompts

2019: Free-Response Questions  

2014: Free-Response Questions

2019: Spanish Language Exam Student Samples

Audio files.

Here are some sample student responses to the questions in the speaking section of the 2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam. Please see the text following the files for more information about using these audio files. Commentary that goes along with these audio files can be found in PDF format on the Spanish Language Exam page.

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Student Sample 3A (Score of 5)

Your browser does not support the audio element. Download

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Student Sample 3B (Score of 3)

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Student Sample 3C (Score of 2)

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Student Sample 4A (Score of 5)

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Student Sample 4B (Score of 3)

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Student Sample 4C (Score of 2)

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Part B Directions

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Task 2 Persuasive Essay

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Task 3 Conversation

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Task 4 Cultural Comparison

2019 AP Spanish Language and Culture Part B End of Directions

Downloading Files

To download an MP3 file directly to your computer, right-click on the Download link (control-click on Mac) and:

• If you use the Internet Explorer browser, choose Save Target As .
• If you use Firefox, Chrome or Safari, choose Save Link As .
• After you have downloaded the MP3 file, double-click on the file name to play it.