The Exam
The AP United States Government and Politics Exam is 3 hours long. It includes an 80-minute multiple-choice section consisting of 55 questions and a 100-minute free-response section consisting of 4 questions. Each section makes up 50% of the AP test.
The AP United States Government and Politics Exam is 3 hours long. It includes an 80-minute multiple-choice section consisting of 55 questions and a 100-minute free-response section consisting of 4 questions. Each section makes up 50% of the AP test.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Section I of the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam consists of 55 multiple-choice questions, including:
Section I of the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam consists of 55 multiple-choice questions, including:
- Quantitative Analysis: Analysis and application of quantitative-based source material
- Qualitative Analysis: Analysis and application of text-based (primary and secondary) sources
- Visual Analysis: Analysis and application of qualitative visual information
- Concept Application: Explanation of the application of political concepts in context
- Comparison: Explanation of the similarities and differences of political concepts
- Knowledge: Identification and definition of political principles, processes, institutions, policies, and behaviors
Free-Response Questions
Section II of the exam consists of four questions that prompt students to:
In the argumentative essay question, students are given a prompt that can have more than one possible response. They will be asked to write a defensible claim or thesis that responds to the question and establishes a line of reasoning (the response cannot earn a point for simply restating the prompt).
They must then cite and describe one piece of evidence from a list of foundational documents. To earn additional points students must identify a second piece of specific and relevant evidence, making sure they explain how or why both pieces support the claim or thesis.
To complete their essay students must identify an opposing or alternative perspective, demonstrate a correct understanding of it, and refute, concede, or rebut that perspective.
Section II of the exam consists of four questions that prompt students to:
- Concept Application: Respond to a political scenario, explaining how it relates to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior
- Quantitative Analysis: Analyze quantitative data, identify a trend or pattern, draw a conclusion from the visual representation, and explain how the data relates to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior
- SCOTUS Comparison: Compare a nonrequired Supreme Court case with a required Supreme Court case, explaining how information from the required case is relevant to that in the nonrequired one
- Argument Essay: Develop an argument in the form of an essay, using evidence from one or more required foundational documents
In the argumentative essay question, students are given a prompt that can have more than one possible response. They will be asked to write a defensible claim or thesis that responds to the question and establishes a line of reasoning (the response cannot earn a point for simply restating the prompt).
They must then cite and describe one piece of evidence from a list of foundational documents. To earn additional points students must identify a second piece of specific and relevant evidence, making sure they explain how or why both pieces support the claim or thesis.
To complete their essay students must identify an opposing or alternative perspective, demonstrate a correct understanding of it, and refute, concede, or rebut that perspective.