AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS EXAM FORMAT

AP Gov Foundational Documents

AP Gov Required Supreme Court Cases

MASSIVE AP GOV REVIEW SHEET

ALL RELEASED FRQs

The Exam:

Part I: 55 Multiple Choice questions in 80 minutes. This will account for 50% of the grade.

Multiple choice questions will reflect the following:

1. Quantitative Analysis - analysis of quantitative source material such as graphs and charts

2. Qualitative Analysis - analysis of primary and secondary sources

3. Visual Analysis - analysis of visual information

4. Concept Application - Explaining the applications of political concepts

5. Comparison - Explaining similarities and differences

6. Knowledge - Identifying and defining political principles, processes, policies, institutions, and behaviors

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II: 4 Free-Response Questions in 100 minutes. This will account for 50% of the grade (each essay counting for 12.5%). The four types to answer are:

 

 

1. Concept Application - In this type of question, you will be provided with a scenario. The question will ask you to describe and explain the effects of a political institution, behavior, or process. Also, you will need to apply course concepts to a new situation or scenario. This question is worth a total of 3 points.
2. Quantitative Analysis - In this type of question, you will be given quantitative data from a table, graph, infographic, or map. You must then describe the data and a trend, pattern, similarity, or difference. You will need to draw a conclusion based on the data. Finally, you must explain how the data demonstrates a government principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior. This question is worth a total of 4 points.
3. SCOTUS Comparison - In this type of question, you must identity a similarity or difference regarding a non-required Supreme Court case when compared to a required Supreme Court case. You must describe the details, reasoning, or holding of the required case. Also, you need to explain a similarity or difference regarding the reasoning or holding of both cases. Finally, you must explain how the reasoning or holding of the non-required case demonstrates a relevant political principle, institution, behavior, policy, or process. This question is worth a total of 4 points.
4. Argument Essay - You must develop a thesis or claim while using evidence from a required foundational document. More evidence needs to be provided from either a second foundational document or course concept. You must defend your thesis using reason, and respond to an opposing/alternative perspective using rebuttal or refutation.

This essay is worth a total of 6 points. Here’s the breakdown of points for this pivotal essay:

 Point 1 = Thesis. You must have a defensible claim or thesis. You can’t just restate the prompt!
Points 2-4 = Evidence. To get all three points here, you must use two pieces of specific and relevant evidence that supports the thesis. The prompt will guide you to include foundational documents and evidence from the course.

 Point 5 = Reasoning. You have to explain HOW or WHY the evidence relates back to the thesis. We recommend that you use strong topic and concluding sentences that help bring each paragraph’s evidence back to the thesis. Reasoning can include classification, process, causation, or comparison.

 Point 6 = Responding to Alternative Perspectives. To do this, you must describe an alternative perspective and refute or rebut it. Therefore, if you have just argued that the Legislative Branch is the strongest branch of government, now would be a good time to acknowledge why one might view the Executive Branch as such. However, be sure to refute or rebut that alternative perspective.

MASSIVE AP GOV REVIEW SHEET

 

 

 


Big Ideas

The exam reflects the following Big Ideas. They include:

1. Constitutionalism – This idea includes checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism, and the balance between majority rule and minority rights.

2. Liberty and Order – This idea includes how laws and policies based on the Constitution have been interpreted over time, while balancing liberty and order in society.

3. Civic Participation in a Representative Democracy  – This idea includes the notions of popular sovereignty, individualism, republicanism, and ways in which citizens can participate in government.

4. Competing Policy-Making Interests – This idea includes the many organizations and institutions which interact to produce and carry out policies.

5. Methods of Political Analysis – This idea utilizes analysis, such as the ones used by political scientists, to measure how political behavior, attitudes, and ideology are shaped over time.

AP Gov Foundational Documents

AP Gov Required Supreme Court Cases

MASSIVE AP GOV REVIEW SHEET

 

                   

 

 

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