
An AP French Language and Culture course is offered to high school students as an opportunity to earn intermediate-level college French credits. Since the test is particularly compared to a college course, it won't be an easy feat. The exam will assess how well you understand the language, including your communication skills and overall comprehension.
If you lack the necessary preparation, you might not like the result. So we're giving you the most important tip before you enroll - get the best study material.
We looked through several textbooks for this review and came up with the best AP French book to help you get started.



3 Best AP French Language and Culture Review Books in 2022
1 - Barron's AP French Language and Culture with Downloadable Audio – Best AP French Book

Based on our in-depth research, Barron’s AP French Language and Culture book is the most recommended AP French book by students and teachers. This advanced placement test prep book provides comprehensive information for the AP French Language and Culture exam.
It contains two full-length practice exams with detailed answer explanations. You'll also find useful tips and strategies to help you crack the test.
We also like that it comes with an MP3 CD containing oral presentations and real conversations to develop your listening skills.
We find the practice tests, persuasive essays, multiple-choice questions, and audio sections helpful to solidify conceptual knowledge.
- Good for vocabulary practice
- Includes practice exams
- Comes with MP3 CD
- Well-structured and comprehensive
- Updated content
- Includes test-taking tips and strategies
- Not for last-minute studying
2 - 5 Steps to a 5: AP French Language and Culture

The 5 Steps to a 5 AP French Language and Culture review book is an affordable review material that provides a systematic and interactive approach to learning AP French.
It comes with audio tools to aid you in the speaking and listening sections of the test.
Based on our research, many students find the test prep content well-structured, which means you can use it either as a course textbook or review book as you prepare for the test.
It also includes full-length practice tests and realistic exercises with questions answered and explained. These will help develop your comprehension skills, conversations, and oral presentations.
The book covers both the presentational and interpersonal writing and speaking elements of the AP French Language and Culture exam.
- Organized content
- Includes full-length practice tests
- Comes with audio tools
- Affordable review material
- Not for last-minute studying
3 - AP® French Language & Culture All Access w/Audio: Book + Online + Mobile

The AP French Language and Culture All Access book is REA's crash course version for the AP French Language and Culture exam.
It contains several tools and materials to develop your knowledge as you prepare for the exam.
The book focuses on the important aspects of the course so you don't have to go through every concept that won't be covered in the exam.
After going through the review material, we found it easy to read, a feature that we know most students would want to have in all review books.
However, this review book falls in the more expensive category, so if the price is not an issue, you may also try this one out.
- Easy-to-read content
- Focuses on the important concepts only
- Contains interactive tools
- A bit on the pricey side
- Not for a comprehensive review
AP Exam Information
College Board AP Exam Information Dates and Time
The AP French exam lasts for 2 hours and 15 minutes. It has two sections - multiple-choice questions and free-response sections.
Section 1: You can score 50% of your exam score in the multiple-choice sections. The multiple-choice questions include 64 questions. You have 95 minutes to answer the questions.
Section 2: This is a free-response section consisting of 8 questions that last for 80 minutes. This section covers 50% of your final AP French exam.
In this section, you are required to respond to an email, write an essay, record yourself speaking, and compare your culture to the French culture.
More AP Prep Books:
What Concepts Will Be Tested On The Advanced Placement French Exam?
On the AP French exam, you will be expected to comprehend many different media sources. The test will present questions and passages based on audio, video, and texts. You will be expected to understand them and be able to explain them to others. You will also be presented with data that you will need to describe.
Make Connections
For this core concept, you will have to make inferences and connections across interdisciplinary and cultural lines. You will be expected to understand and make connections across personal and cultural identities, global challenges, science, technology, families, and communities.
Interpret Text
In this section of the exam, you will have to interpret text and audio files. You will be required to understand the main idea of texts. You should also be able to infer and analyze the meanings of different texts.
Make Meanings
Before you take the AP French test, you should know how to interpret the meaning of familiar and unfamiliar words. You should be able to interpret unfamiliar words based on your understanding of French grammar and structure. You will be expected to use the appropriate words for a given context.
Speak to Others
You must understand the basics of the French language so that you can speak to others using the appropriate language. You should be able to understand a given conversational situation well enough to choose the best words and phrases to speak to others. This might include asking questions and using syntactic phrases during a conversation.
Write to Others
This section is similar to the previous one, but you should understand the basics of writing and getting thoughts down on paper. On the AP French test, you will have to complete 2 free-response questions. One will be a response to an email message, and the other will be an argumentative essay. You should be able to analyze graphs, charts, and articles and present your argument in a cohesive writing piece.
Present Orally
Public speaking can be one of the most intimidating sections for students. You should prepare yourself by practicing beforehand to get rid of some of the public speaking jitters. On the AP French exam, you should know how to plan and research a topic to present to an audience. This core concept will test your ability to portray ideas using the appropriate language and strategy. You should know how to use visual aids, such as a slideshow, to explain your ideas.
Present in Writing
This core concept is similar to the previous one except in writing instead of presentational speaking. You should be aware of the techniques used in presentational writing and apply them to a topic or research question. You should know how to present an argument using visual aids, such as charts and graphs, that are appropriate for your intended reader.
FAQs
What are some of the themes used in the course and on the exam?
Some of the themes you will be tested on include personal and public identities, families and communities, science and technology, beauty and aesthetics, contemporary life, and global challenges. Each topic covers many subtopics to give students a well-rounded explanation of the French language and culture.
How hard is the AP French exam?
Most students think the AP French exam is rather difficult. On average, 75% of students score a 3 or higher on the test.
How long should I study for the test?
It depends on how well you know the course material. We recommend studying for at least 2 months before your test day to ensure you are fully prepared for all question types.
What resources should I use to study for the AP French exam?
We recommend using the book we recommended in this article. You should also make use of the previous free-response questions available online from the College Board website. They will help you prepare for the exam since they are actual AP French exam questions from previous tests. You can also ask your AP teacher for advice on prep courses, study groups, or other materials.
What is AP French equivalent to in university?
AP French is equivalent to an intermediate level French college class. If you pass the exam, you will be eligible for college credit.
What are some important study tips for passing the AP French exam?
We recommend you force yourself to use French in your everyday life. You might want to get a language buddy to practice using the language every day. The more you use it, the better you will be at understanding the language. Challenge yourself to speak French even in situations outside of the classroom. You should also try to learn at least one new vocabulary word every day. If you build your vocabulary and speak French every day, you will learn much more than you think.
AP French History Book - Our Final Thoughts
Among several review books we've read, we think that Barron’s book for AP French history is the best AP French Language and Culture book you should invest in.
It provides an in-depth discussion of the core concepts of AP French History and includes practice tests and test-taking strategies to help you prepare well for the upcoming exam.
We like that it comes with an MP3 CD of real conversations to enhance your listening skills.
It is also affordable, giving you the best value for your money.

Our #1 Recommendation
Best AP French Book
- Good for vocabulary practice
- Comes with MP3 CD
- Well-structured and comprehensive
- Updated content
- Includes test-taking tips and strategies

About the author
Add Comment