The AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam assesses what students know and are able to do across the three communicative modes (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational) in the 5 C areas (communication, culture, comparison, connection and community). The specific learning objectives are outlined in the course framework. The exam is just over 2 hours long and includes 70 multiple choice questions that assess listening and reading abilities, and 4 free-response questions that access speaking and writing competencies. The details of the exam, including exam weighting and timing, can be found below:
Section I: 70 Multiple-choice questions, 50% of score, 80 minutes
Part A: Rejoinders (10-15 questions, 10% of score, 10 minutes), and Listening Selections (15-20 questions, 15% of score, 10 minutes)
Part B: Reading selections (35-40 questions, 25% of score, 60 minutes)
Section II: 4 Free-response questions, 50% of score, 41 minutes
Question 1: Story narration (15% of score, 15 minutes)
Question 2: Email response (10% of score, 15 minutes)
Question 3: Conversation (6 questions, 10% of score, 4 minutes)
Question 4: Cultural presentation (15% of score, 7 minutes)
The Exam assesses students' communicative competencies developed in each of the six thematic units: 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; and Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges. The exam also assesses students' skills in the following 8 categories: Comprehend Text; Make Connections; Interpret Text; Make Meanings; Speak to Others; Write to Others; Present Orally; and Present in Writing.