Overview
Beginning with the May 2027 exam, AP Japanese has four free-response questions. The two written tasks are now Question 3: Story Narration and Question 4: Email Response. Together they count for 15% of your total score.
Story Narration asks you to write a complete, coherent story from four pictures. Email Response asks you to reply appropriately to an email, answer both requests for information, and use a register that fits the situation.
What Changed for 2027
- The exam is digital in Bluebook.
- The first two FRQs are now the course-project speaking tasks: Project Presentation and Project Q&A.
- Story Narration and Email Response remain on the exam, but they are Questions 3 and 4.
- Old references to retired legacy labels do not describe the revised AP Japanese exam.
Strategy
For Story Narration, plan the beginning, middle, and ending before typing. Use sequence words, explain what changes from picture to picture, and keep the story consistent with all four images.
For Email Response, identify every request in the prompt, answer each one directly, and include details that fit the relationship and situation. A strong response is clear, culturally appropriate, and organized enough for a reader to follow without guessing.
Scoring Focus
Readers look for task completion, organization, language control, vocabulary range, and culturally appropriate communication. Accuracy matters, but a response with a clear message and relevant details is stronger than a memorized paragraph that does not answer the prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you get for the AP Japanese written FRQs?
The Email Response (Question 1) lasts 10 minutes total, with 90 seconds to read and respond to each of 6 messages. The Story Narration (Question 2) gives you 20 minutes to type an article of 300-400 characters or longer. Together they're 30 of the 40 minutes in the free-response section.
How are AP Japanese FRQs scored?
Each of the four FRQs is scored holistically on a 0-6 scale across three dimensions: Task Completion, Delivery, and Language Use. A 6 means a thorough, detailed response with natural expression, consistent register, and minimal errors; it doesn't require perfect Japanese. Each FRQ is worth 12.5% of your total exam score.
What is the Email Response on the AP Japanese exam?
It's FRQ 1: you respond to a series of 6 chat messages from a named interlocutor on a set topic, with 90 seconds per message. Each message includes a Japanese chat entry plus a brief English direction (like "give advice" or "ask questions") that you must follow. It tests interpersonal writing and is worth 12.5% of your score.
How many characters does the AP Japanese Story Narration need?
The official guideline is 300-400 characters or longer, so 300 is effectively the floor, not a cap. Concise, well-organized writing usually scores better than padded length. You must compare three aspects of the topic, highlight similarities and differences, and clearly state your preference with reasoning.
Should I use casual or polite Japanese in the Email Response?
Match your interlocutor's register. If they open formally with です/ます, respond in kind; register can soften as the conversation builds rapport, but follow their lead. Mixing registers or going overly casual with slang is penalized at every level of the rubric, so consistency matters more than which style you choose. Practice with timed FRQ prompts to build the habit.