AP Lang FRQ: The Three Free-Response Questions

“FRQ” stands for free-response question, and on the AP English Language exam that means the three essays in Section II. Together they are worth 55% of your score — more than the multiple-choice section — and all three are graded out of 6 on the same analytic rubric. This page is the map: what each task is, how the section is timed, and where to go to practice each one.

The three tasks at a glance

• Synthesis essay: you are given six or seven sources and must build your own argument, citing at least three of them. Tests whether you can use evidence, not just summarize it.
• Rhetorical analysis essay: you are given one text and must analyze the rhetorical choices the writer makes and their effect. Tests analysis, not summary.
• Argument essay: you are given a claim and must develop your own position using your own evidence and reasoning. No sources provided.

How the FRQ section is timed and scored

You get 2 hours 15 minutes for Section II: a 15-minute reading period for the synthesis sources, then 2 hours to write. There is no enforced per-essay limit, so the single most important habit is budgeting roughly 40 minutes per essay and holding the line — a rushed third essay is where most students bleed points. Each essay earns up to 6 points: 1 for the thesis, up to 4 for evidence and commentary, and 1 for sophistication. The three scores are weighted equally and combine with multiple choice; you can model the whole thing on the AP Lang score calculator.

How to prepare for all three

The rubric is identical across tasks, so the skill that moves every FRQ score is the same: commentary that explains how your evidence supports your reasoning. Practice each task on its own guide above, then write timed responses and paste them into the AP Lang essay grader for a score on every rubric row. To see the bands in action, read our scored essay examples — high and mid-scoring samples for all three tasks, annotated row by row.

Frequently asked questions

How many FRQs are on the AP Lang exam?

Three. The free-response section (Section II) is the synthesis essay, the rhetorical analysis essay, and the argument essay. Each is scored out of 6 on the same analytic rubric, and the three are weighted equally.

How much time do you get for the AP Lang FRQs?

Two hours and fifteen minutes total: a 15-minute reading period for the synthesis sources, then two hours to write all three essays — about 40 minutes each if you split the time evenly.

How much of the AP Lang score is the FRQ section?

Section II (the three essays) is 55% of the total exam score; the multiple-choice section is the other 45%. Because the essays respond quickly to practice, they are usually the fastest part of the score to improve.

Which AP Lang FRQ is the hardest?

It varies by student, but the rhetorical analysis essay trips up the most people because it rewards analyzing a writer's choices rather than summarizing. The argument essay is often the most approachable because it uses your own evidence. The synthesis essay sits in between.

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