Calling all writers, editors, and wordsmiths: it's time to sharpen your punctuation, spelling, and style savvy with our ultimate ap style quiz . Whether you're a student prepping for deadlines or a pro brushing up on nuances from comma usage to headline casing, these ap style questions examples will test your command of Associated Press style rules. Dive into a mix of quick-fire associated press style quiz challenges and immersive ap stylebook quizzes crafted to reinforce your skills. Your results are instant - share your score and challenge colleagues to beat your record. Ready to level up? Take this ap quiz now, and don't miss our companion APA citation quiz for extra practice!
According to AP style, how should you write numbers in running text?
Spell out zero through nine and use numerals for 10 and above
Use numerals for all numbers
Spell out zero through 10 and use numerals for 11 and above
Use numerals for numbers one through nine and spell out others
AP style specifies that numbers zero through nine are spelled out, while numerals are used for 10 and above to keep text clear and concise. This rule applies to cardinal numbers in most contexts, including age, time, distance and money. Exceptions include ages, dimensions and speeds, where numerals are generally used. For more details, see AP Stylebook.
How should you format a time in AP style?
3 p.m.
3 pm
3:00 PM
3 P.M.
AP style uses lowercase ‘a.m.’ and ‘p.m.’ with periods and a space after the numerals (e.g., 3 p.m.). It does not use colons for whole hours unless clarity demands it (e.g., 3:30 p.m.). This approach maintains consistency and avoids confusion between morning and evening times. See AP Stylebook for full guidance on writing times.
Which of the following is correct AP style for state names in a news story?
Spell out state names in text
Use two-letter postal abbreviations everywhere
Use USPS abbreviations in running text
Abbreviate state names when they follow a city name
AP style calls for spelling out state names in news stories and text. Abbreviations are used only in datelines and lists. This ensures readability and maintains a professional, journalistic standard. For an official list of state abbreviations and usage, refer to AP Stylebook.
Which is the correct AP style form for courtesy titles?
Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.
Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr
Mx., Mr., Ms., Dr.
Mr., Mrs., Ms, Dr
AP style uses periods in common courtesy titles such as Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Dr. It omits these titles in general references and only applies them before a full name. This format reflects long-standing journalistic convention. See AP Stylebook for more on courtesy titles.
How do you form the possessive of a name ending in ‘s’ in AP style?
Add apostrophe and s (e.g., Dallas’s book)
Add only an apostrophe (e.g., Dallas’ book)
Omit apostrophe entirely (e.g., Dallass book)
Replace s with apostrophe (e.g., Dalla’ book)
AP style dictates that for proper names ending in ‘s,’ you form the possessive by adding ’s (Dallas’s). This rule keeps consistency across various possessive forms. It applies even when the name ends with an unpronounced ‘s.’ For complete guidance, see AP Stylebook.
Which sentence correctly follows AP style regarding the serial (Oxford) comma?
I like apples, oranges and bananas.
I like apples, oranges, and bananas.
I like apples and oranges, and bananas.
I like apples, oranges; and bananas.
AP style omits the serial comma before the conjunction in a simple series (apples, oranges and bananas). The comma is used only when needed to avoid confusion. This rule helps streamline copy without sacrificing clarity. For more on series punctuation, visit AP Stylebook.
When writing a URL in text, what does AP style recommend?
Omit “http://” and “www.” (e.g., example.com)
Include “http://” but omit “www.”
Include both “http://” and “www.”
Use only “www.” (e.g., www.example.com)
AP style advises dropping “http://” and “www.” when citing web addresses in running text to keep references concise. You present URLs in lowercase and without trailing slashes when possible. This makes digital references cleaner and more reader-friendly. See AP Stylebook for more on digital media.
According to AP style, which is the correct spelling of an electronic mail address reference?
email
e-mail
Email
eMail
AP style updated its guidance to spell ‘email’ as a single word, lowercase, to reflect common usage and simplicity. The hyphenated form ‘e-mail’ is considered outdated in AP style. This rule applies to electronic mail and related verbs (to email). More information is available at AP Stylebook.
How should you abbreviate “Street” when used with a numbered address in AP style?
1500 Main St.
1500 Main Street
1500 Main Str.
1500 Main St
AP style abbreviates street designations (St., Ave., Blvd., etc.) only when they follow a numbered address: 1500 Main St. Otherwise, they are spelled out. This maintains consistency and readability in addresses. For further details, see AP Stylebook.
Which is correct AP style for abbreviating a month when used with a specific date?
Jan. 5
January 5th
Jan 5
5 Jan.
AP style abbreviates only Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. when used with a specific date (Jan. 5). All other months are spelled out. The style also omits ordinal indicators (st, nd, rd, th). See AP Stylebook for the complete list and rules.
According to AP style, what is the correct abbreviation for Tuesday when used with a date?
Tues.
Tue.
Tust.
Tues
AP style capitalizes days of the week and abbreviates them only when used with a specific date: Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. and Sun. The correct form for Tuesday is Tues. See AP Stylebook for details on other day abbreviations.
Which of the following correctly follows AP style for writing a school grade?
He is in seventh grade.
He is in 7th grade.
He is in Seventh Grade.
He is in Grade 7.
AP style spells out grade levels in text (first grade through 12th grade) without figures and without ordinal indicators. Thus 'seventh grade' is correct. It avoids numerical superscripts or abbreviations. Reference AP Stylebook for academic style rules.
How should you write ‘African American’ according to AP style?
African American
African-American
African american
african American
AP style treats African American as two words without a hyphen. Both words are capitalized. This aligns with contemporary usage and respects proper nouns. See AP Stylebook for guidance on race and ethnicity terms.
Which is the correct AP style representation of a percentage?
5 percent
5%
five percent
five%
AP style spells out the word 'percent' rather than using the % symbol in running text. Numerals are used for all percentages. This maintains clarity and journalistic tone. Full details can be found at AP Stylebook.
Which is the correct AP style abbreviation for governor when used before a name?
Gov.
Gvr.
Goven.
Govn.
AP style abbreviates only certain formal titles before a name, including Gov. and Lt. Gov. for governor. Those abbreviations are capitalized and followed by a period. Other titles like mayor or president are spelled out. Refer to AP Stylebook for full title abbreviation rules.
Which of the following correctly follows AP style for a compound modifier describing a walk of one and a half miles?
A 1 1/2-mile walk
A 1-1/2 mile walk
A one and one-half-mile walk
A 1 1/2 mile-long walk
AP style uses figures for mixed fractions and hyphens for compound modifiers: 'a 1 1/2-mile walk.' It avoids spelling out mixed fractions in this context and ensures units are singular when used as adjectives. See AP Stylebook for fraction rules.
Which headline correctly follows AP style capitalization rules?
President Visits Capital
President visits capital
President Visits the Capital
president Visits Capital
AP headline style capitalizes principal words, including prepositions of four or more letters, and lowercases articles, conjunctions and prepositions of fewer than four letters. 'President Visits Capital' follows these rules. For complete headline capitalization guidelines, visit AP Stylebook.
According to AP style, how do you denote a time range such as a meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.?
3 to 5 p.m.
3-5 p.m.
From 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.
3 p.m.-5 p.m.
AP style expresses ranges in full: '3 to 5 p.m.' It does not use a dash to denote time ranges. The word 'to' provides clarity in text. Details are available at AP Stylebook.
How should you write a decimal fraction of a percent in AP style?
0.5%
.5%
0.50%
.05%
AP style requires a zero before the decimal point for values less than one: '0.5%.' It avoids starting numerals with a decimal point alone. This rule ensures readability and prevents misinterpretation. See AP Stylebook for numeric style details.
Which sentence correctly follows AP style for referencing a master’s degree?
She has a master’s degree in journalism.
She has a Master’s Degree in journalism.
She has a Master of Arts Degree in Journalism.
She has a masters degree in Journalism.
AP style treats academic degrees in lowercase and spells them out (e.g., master’s degree). Capitalization is used only for formal names of degrees (Master of Arts). This rule maintains consistency and clarity in education references. More guidance is at AP Stylebook.
Which is the correct AP style plural form of the abbreviation for digital versatile disc?
DVDs
DVD's
DVDs'
DVDS
AP style forms plurals of acronyms and abbreviations by adding s without an apostrophe: DVDs. This rule applies to most initialisms and avoids confusion with possessives. For additional abbreviation rules, consult AP Stylebook.
What is the correct AP style format for a U.S. local telephone number?
212-555-1234
(212) 555-1234
+1-212-555-1234
2125551234
AP style writes U.S. local phone numbers as 212-555-1234, using hyphens between the groups. It does not include parentheses or country codes in typical U.S. usage. This format is clear and globally recognized. See AP Stylebook for more on numbers.
Which is the correct AP style abbreviation for the United States when used as a noun or adjective?
U.S.
US
U-S
U.S
AP style abbreviates United States as U.S. with periods when used as a noun or adjective. It uses no periods in acronyms (e.g., NATO) but retains them in common abbreviations. This distinction ensures consistent punctuation. Learn more at AP Stylebook.
Which is the correct AP style treatment of a book title in running text?
"The Great Gatsby"
The Great Gatsby (italicized)
The Great Gatsby
'The Great Gatsby'
AP style places titles of books, movies, songs and other works within quotation marks, not italics. This helps maintain consistency in plain-text environments. Use title case for principal words in the title. For full rules, visit AP Stylebook.
Which of the following is the correct AP style format for a dateline?
NEW YORK (AP) —
New York (AP) —
NEW YORK, N.Y. —
NEW YORK---
AP style datelines use all caps for the city name followed by a parenthetical source (if needed) and an em dash. State names are omitted for widely known cities. This format appears at the beginning of stories to indicate origin. See AP Stylebook for complete dateline guidance.
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Study Outcomes
Understand AP Style Fundamentals -
Grasp the core principles outlined in the AP Stylebook to ensure consistency and clarity in your writing.
Identify Common AP Style Errors -
Spot and correct frequent issues such as numeral usage, abbreviations, and punctuation mistakes featured in AP style questions examples.
Apply AP Stylebook Guidelines -
Implement precise AP style rules in your writing, from headlines to datelines, to produce polished, professional copy.
Evaluate Sentences for AP Compliance -
Analyze sample sentences to determine the correct AP style usage and reinforce your decision-making skills.
Strengthen Writing Precision -
Boost your confidence by practicing with real AP style quiz items and refining your attention to detail.
Recognize Key AP Style Terminology -
Learn essential terms and jargon used in an Associated Press style quiz to navigate the Stylebook more efficiently.
Cheat Sheet
Capitalizing Titles and Honorifics -
AP style capitalizes formal titles when they precede a name (e.g., President Joe Biden) but uses lowercase when they follow or stand alone. Use suffixes like Jr. and Sr. without commas (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr.) for clarity, a guideline from the AP Stylebook (2020). Try the mnemonic "Precede to upper, follow to lower" to remember this rule when you take the ap style quiz.
Handling Numbers and Numerals -
Spell out numbers one through nine and use figures for 10 and above, according to Purdue OWL's AP style questions examples. Always spell out a number that begins a sentence (e.g., "Twenty students attended"). Remember "small words spelled, big numbers held" to master number use in your associated press style quiz.
Formatting Dates, Times, and Addresses -
AP style uses figures without st, nd or th for dates (e.g., Aug. 3) and a.m./p.m. for times (e.g., 2:30 p.m.), per the University of Wisconsin - Madison Writing Center. Abbreviate months with six letters or fewer only when used with a date (e.g., Feb. 14) and always use figures and spell out street (e.g., 123 Main St.).
Quoting Composition and Brand Names -
Put article, book, song, movie and painting titles in quotation marks (e.g., "To Kill a Mockingbird") rather than italics, as outlined in AP stylebook quizzes. Use trademark symbols sparingly and only on first reference if legally required. A handy trick: "If you can speak it, quote it."
Using Abbreviations and Acronyms -
On first reference, spell out an organization's full name followed by its acronym in parentheses (e.g., World Health Organization (WHO)); use the acronym thereafter, per Poynter guidelines. Avoid periods in most acronyms (e.g., NASA, FBI). Recall "First spelled, then acronym, no dots follow" for smooth quiz prep.