Wondering how to test your Spanish language proficiency?
The answer is the College Board course and exam!
Learn more about the AP Spanish language test and take it to the next level!
What is the Advanced Placement Spanish language test
Advanced Placement Spanish Language Test is a course exam offered by the College Board. It belongs to the Advanced Placement Program of the U.S. educational system.
Also known as AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish, or AP Spanish V. It´s a yearly evaluation for those who wish to certify their level of Spanish. Normally held on a Tuesday morning in May.
This course takes an in-depth look at all of your previous knowledge of the Spanish language. The review focuses on the skills you have developed in your introductory and intermediate Spanish classes.
Each skill applies to a specific contemporary context. For example, careers, education, family, history, literature, environment, relationships, and health.
The student needs to have a very high proficiency in language skills. Therefore, they are encouraged to strive for improvement in their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
AP Spanish curriculum and scores
Today, the AP Spanish curriculum is so fluid that it requires the unification of a curriculum. This doesn’t mean being ineffective, but rather that individual teachers choose the amount of information to present. Therefore, content standardization should include other facets of the language, verb forms and usages, and specific vocabulary expressions.
In terms of scores, native Spanish-speaking students are scored in the same 1-5 range as those studying Spanish as a second language. This creates a higher competitive level that motivates non-native students to demonstrate their skills. So you should know that this is a healthy competition and not let your performance drop due to stress.
AP Themes and Contexts
AP Spanish consists of six different themes and each one of them includes 6 to 7 application contexts. This is a list of the themes with their respective contexts.
Family and Communities:
- Traditions and Values
- Structure of Families
- Social Media
- Human Geography
- Global Citizenship
- Educational Communities
Personal and public identities:
- Personal beliefs
- Personal interests
- Self-esteem
- Alienation and assimilation
- Heroes and historical figures
- National and ethnic identities
Contemporary Life:
- Education and Careers
- Entertainment and Fun
- Travel and Leisure
- Lifestyles
- Personal Relationships
- Traditions and Social Values
- Volunteer Work
Beauty and Aesthetics:
- Architecture
- Definitions of Beauty
- Creativity
- Fashion and Design
- Language and Literature
- Visual and Performing Arts
Science and Technology:
- Access to technology
- Effects of technology on the individual and society.
- Health care and medicine
- Technological innovations
- Natural phenomena
- Science and ethics
World Challenges:
- Economic Issues
- Environmental Issues
- Philosophical Thought and Religion
- Population and Demographics
- Social Welfare
- Social Consciousness
AP Spanish Test
The AP Spanish Test has 2 sections and approximately 3.5 hours to complete. Below, we will break down each section with its respective content, evaluation method, score, and time available.
Section I
Contains reading comprehension sections and multiple-choice questions. Students must read four different writings and answer according to what they indicate.
Part A: Reading section
- Item Type: Print texts
- Number of questions: 30 multiple-choice questions
- Weight of final score: 25%
- Time: 40 minutes
Part B: Reading and listening section
- Item Type: Print and audio texts
- Number of questions: 35 multiple-choice questions
- Weight of final score: 25%
- Time: 55 minutes
Section II
It´s a free-response section where students develop formal writing, interpersonal conversation, and speaking presentation. You should make the most of the time while letting all your Spanish language skills flow.
Part A: Writing
Part A-1:
- Item Type: Formal Writing – email response
- Number of questions: 1 Prompt
- Weight of final score: 12.5%
- Time: 15 minutes
Part A-2:
- Item Type: Formal Writing – argumentative essay
- Number of questions: 1 Prompt
- Weight of final score: 12.5%
- Time: 55 minutes
Part B: Speaking
Part B-1:
- Item Type: interpersonal speaking (simulated conversation)
- Number of questions: 5-6 response prompts
- Weight of final score: 12.5%
- Time: 20 seconds to each
Part B-2:
- Item Type: Presentational speaking (cultural comparison)
- Number of questions: 1 Prompt
- Weight of final score: 12.5%
- Time: 4 minutes to prepare / 2 to respond
What to expect from AP Spanish Language
In AP Spanish Language, you have several useful sections for your learning and progress checks. In addition, you have access to the annual test to certify your Spanish level.
AP Daily
The AP Daily section is a section to help you cover all the course content. There you find short videos, questions about the topics, and sample assignments. If you want to know what skills are required, you will find them in this section.
AP Classroom
AP Classroom allows you to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and understanding of the Spanish language. It´s done unit by unit, so once you pass one level, you move on to the next. In the My Reports section, you have the option to highlight your progress and areas where you need support.
Test Overview
As you could already see, this test evaluates the skills and concepts that are raised in the content. On their website, you can find the AP Spanish Language and Culture Course and Exam Description (CED). You can download this description along with its audio files.
Upcoming AP Spanish test
Upcoming AP Spanish test is posted on their website. As usual, it´s scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2022, at 8 am local time.
How to prepare for the AP Spanish test
How to prepare for the AP Spanish test is a frequently asked question from students. While it´s true that the AP content is vast, for some students it is not enough. Here are some valuable tips on how to organize your time and perform better on test days.
- Start using Spanish daily.
- Listen to all the Spanish audios available to you.
- Talk to native Spanish speakers for at least 15 minutes a day.
- Read as much as you can in Spanish, from novels to news stories.
- Don’t worry about your accent and as much as possible try to keep a neutral accent.
- Improve your vocabulary with strategies that allow you to remember easily.
- Review past exams and take some quizzes to identify your weaknesses.
- Spanish teachers will help you with the grammar.
- Stipulate time for Spanish study and practice.
- Set weekly goals.
Getting a 5 depends on you
In life, you will face many tests, some of them you will be prepared for and some of them you will not. But for the AP Spanish language test, you have many options and ways to prepare and nothing will take you by surprise.
Remember that your conversational and analytical Spanish skills will be tested. If you feel that your resources are not enough, you can opt for extra help at the academies that offer preparation with personal teachers. Getting a 5 depends on you!
