Make time for studying by organizing your time. Six weeks before the exam, or earlier, make a revision timetable, such as the example from Monash University. This will allow you to plan out your weekly commitments, such as school and work, and allocate free time to study.
Get a copy of the course description from The College Board's website, and download a copy of the AP English Literature course description from the menu. This document contains information on the course objectives, requirements of the exam and past essay questions, and it will help you to effectively focus your studying.
Read a wide range. As there is no set reading for the AP course, it is up to you to read a wide range of texts and authors. Included in the AP course description are some representative authors for you to choose from, such as William Blake and Jane Austen. Aim to read a selection of poetry, drama, fiction and expository prose as these types of text will appear on your exam. Exposing yourself to a wide range of style and authors will help you become better prepared for the test.
Practice reading. The exam is designed to test your analytical skills so you need to practice as much as possible. You can use sample questions from the course description or choose something from your reading list. The aim is to read the text critically to understand how the author uses literary techniques to convey meaning. You can score your work using the relevant section in your course description.
Practice free response essays. The free response section is a compulsory element of the AP test. You will be required to write a response to a poem and novel as well as complete a compare and contrast essay. Danny Lawrence, teacher at the AP Career Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., suggests using the TP-CASTT (Title-Paraphrase-Connotation-Attitude-Shift-Title-Theme) method for organizing your responses to a text.
Using sample questions from the AP course home page, create your own practice exam. Ask a parent of friend to ensure you work in timed conditions and in a quiet environment. This will give you a feel for how the exam will be and will help you practice answering the questions in the allotted time. When finished, score your exam and note down your strengths and weaknesses.