Last Updated: January 10, 2025
The AP Japanese Language and Culture exam consists of four main sections: multiple choice listening, multiple choice reading, free response written, and free response spoken. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 - 5, with a 5 being the highest possible score.
The scores in this calculator are estimates based on previous scoring curves. The actual scoring curve may vary year to year.
Instructions
Enter your scores for each section using the sliders below to calculate your estimated AP score.
Section IA: Multiple Choice Listening
Section IB: Multiple Choice Reading
Text Chat Score
Compare & Contrast Article Score
Conversation Score
Cultural Presentation Score
PREDICTED AP® SCORE
0 | Score range: 1 - 5
SECTION SCORES
Multiple Choice Score
0 / 50
Free Response Score
0 / 50
Combined Composite Score
0 / 100
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The AP Japanese Language and Culture exam consists of four main sections:
| Section | Question Type | Time | Questions | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section IA | Multiple Choice Listening | 20 minutes | 30-35 questions | 25% |
| Section IB | Multiple Choice Reading | 60 minutes | 30-40 questions | 25% |
| Section IIA | Free Response Written | 30 minutes | 2 tasks | 25% |
| Section IIB | Free Response Spoken | 10 minutes | 2 tasks | 25% |
Total exam time: 2 hours
Section IA: Multiple Choice Listening
Various audio materials including announcements, messages, and cultural presentations
Tests comprehension of main ideas and details
Includes vocabulary and cultural context questions
Section IB: Multiple Choice Reading
Various text materials including articles, stories, and instructions
Tests reading comprehension and vocabulary
Includes cultural and contextual understanding
Section IIA: Free Response Written
Text-chat messages (6 prompts, 10 minutes)
Compare-and-contrast article (300-400 characters, 20 minutes)
Section IIB: Free Response Spoken
Simulated conversation (4 prompts, 3 minutes)
Cultural presentation (2 minutes, with 4 minutes prep time)
The AP Japanese Language exam uses a balanced scoring system where each section contributes 25% to your final score. Your performance in multiple choice and free response sections is converted to a composite score, which determines your final AP score of 1-5.
The distribution of scores from the most recent exam was:
| AP Japanese Score | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| 5 | 49.1% |
| 4 | 10.2% |
| 3 | 16.9% |
| 2 | 7.2% |
| 1 | 16.7% |
A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though many top colleges only award credit for scores of 4 or 5. For college admissions purposes, a 4 or 5 is considered a strong score.
To earn a high score (4 or 5), students typically need to demonstrate:
Strong listening comprehension skills
Solid reading comprehension abilities
Clear written communication in Japanese
Natural conversational abilities
Understanding of Japanese culture and customs
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