AP US Government & Politics Exam Review

Test Strategy

The ExamThe Exam

Time: 2 hours, 25 minutesTime: 2 hours, 25 minutes Multiple Choice: 60 questions in 45 Multiple Choice: 60 questions in 45

mins.mins. Free Response: 4 questions in 100 Free Response: 4 questions in 100

mins.mins. Each part is worth 50% of your total Each part is worth 50% of your total

scorescore

AP GradesAP Grades

5: Extremely Well qualified5: Extremely Well qualified 4: Well Qualified4: Well Qualified 3: Qualified3: Qualified 2: Possibly Qualified2: Possibly Qualified 1: No Recommendation1: No Recommendation Each college determines the score Each college determines the score

required to earn college credit.required to earn college credit.

Pacing StrategyPacing Strategy

If you want to get a ___, then you If you want to get a ___, then you need to answer ___ this many of the need to answer ___ this many of the multiple choice.multiple choice.

3: 453: 45 4: 524: 52 5: as many as you can5: as many as you can

2007 National Results2007 National Results

Total #of students: 158,885Total #of students: 158,885 5: 6%5: 6% 4: 19%4: 19% 3: 26.9%3: 26.9% 2: 32.1%2: 32.1% 1: 16%1: 16% Total 3 or higher: 51.9%Total 3 or higher: 51.9% Mean Score:2.67Mean Score:2.67

2007 Randolph Results2007 Randolph Results

5:35:3 4: 64: 6 3: 53: 5 2: 22: 2 1: 01: 0 Mean score: 3.625Mean score: 3.625

2006 National Results2006 National Results

Total #of students: 143,980Total #of students: 143,980 5: 8%5: 8% 4: 17.7%4: 17.7% 3: 29.2%3: 29.2% 2: 30.6%2: 30.6% 1: 14.5%1: 14.5% Total 3 or higher: 54.8%Total 3 or higher: 54.8% Mean Score: 2.74Mean Score: 2.74

2006 Randolph Results2006 Randolph Results

5: 45: 4 4: 94: 9 3: 113: 11 2: 32: 3 1: 01: 0 Mean score: 3.5Mean score: 3.5

Multiple ChoiceMultiple Choice

¼ of the # of wrong answers is subtracted from the # of ¼ of the # of wrong answers is subtracted from the # of right answersright answers

This is to adjust for random guessing.This is to adjust for random guessing. There will be one or two Data questions on the test asking There will be one or two Data questions on the test asking

you to interpret a graph or chart. They are usually very you to interpret a graph or chart. They are usually very direct. Do not over interpret the data. Do not over-think the direct. Do not over interpret the data. Do not over-think the question!question!

There is usually 1 or 2 questions asking you to interpret a There is usually 1 or 2 questions asking you to interpret a map, illustration, or political cartoon. Do not read too much map, illustration, or political cartoon. Do not read too much between the lines. The answer is usually the obvious one. between the lines. The answer is usually the obvious one.

When studying for this section it is important to know your When studying for this section it is important to know your facts. However, when you are studying think about why this facts. However, when you are studying think about why this particular fact is important. Does it influence behavior? particular fact is important. Does it influence behavior? Does it affect policy? Etc.Does it affect policy? Etc.

Multiple Choice Section Multiple Choice Section Continued..Continued..

Breakdown of questions by content:Breakdown of questions by content: I. Constitutional Underpinnings 5-15% (6 )I. Constitutional Underpinnings 5-15% (6 ) II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors 10-20% (7) II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors 10-20% (7) III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, & the III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, & the

Mass Media 10-20% (6-7)Mass Media 10-20% (6-7) IV. Institutions- Congress, the Presidency, IV. Institutions- Congress, the Presidency,

the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts 35-the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts 35-45% (27)45% (27)

V. Public Policy 5-15% (6)V. Public Policy 5-15% (6) VI. Civil Rights & Civil Liberties 5-15% (7)VI. Civil Rights & Civil Liberties 5-15% (7)

Free ResponseFree Response

Each question is worth 5-8 points, but each Each question is worth 5-8 points, but each question is equally weighted against the others.question is equally weighted against the others.

Each questions is worth 12.5% of your total grade Each questions is worth 12.5% of your total grade or 25% of the 50% the Free Response section is or 25% of the 50% the Free Response section is worth.worth.

Each of the 4 questions will be on different content Each of the 4 questions will be on different content areas. For example, you will not have two areas. For example, you will not have two questions on Congress.questions on Congress.

The graders will not know your name or your The graders will not know your name or your school.school.

Each of the questions is graded by a different Each of the questions is graded by a different person.person.

Free Response Section Free Response Section Continued..Continued..

Allocate 25 minutes per questionAllocate 25 minutes per question Spend one minute tearing the questions apart. Take note of Spend one minute tearing the questions apart. Take note of

everything it is asking you to do. Underline operative words: everything it is asking you to do. Underline operative words: evaluate, discuss, describe, analyzeevaluate, discuss, describe, analyze, etc., etc.

Take another 2-4 minutes outlining your answer.Take another 2-4 minutes outlining your answer. Let the structure and wording of the question guide your answer.Let the structure and wording of the question guide your answer. A thesis statement is not required, but may help you earn some A thesis statement is not required, but may help you earn some

points.points. Answer each part of the question directly. Answer each part of the question directly. If the question says to explain something, be as thorough as If the question says to explain something, be as thorough as

possible. possible. You only get credit for correct answers. No deductions are made You only get credit for correct answers. No deductions are made

for incorrect information. If you think something you are saying is for incorrect information. If you think something you are saying is correct but aren’t sure, write it. It can’t hurt and it might help!correct but aren’t sure, write it. It can’t hurt and it might help!

If you are running out of time on your 4If you are running out of time on your 4thth essay, abbreviate and essay, abbreviate and write partial sentences.write partial sentences.

Data QuestionsData Questions

Look for patterns and trends in the Look for patterns and trends in the data. data.

Always look for Always look for change over timechange over time.. Think: What caused this change? Think: What caused this change?

What was going on that year?What was going on that year?

Overall Test-taking Tips:Overall Test-taking Tips:

Pace yourself. If you don’t know the Pace yourself. If you don’t know the answer, skip the question and come answer, skip the question and come back to it later.back to it later.

Do not guess! If you can’t narrow it Do not guess! If you can’t narrow it down to two then don’t guess!down to two then don’t guess!

Free Response Questions: If you find Free Response Questions: If you find the questions intimidating, answer the questions intimidating, answer the easiest ones first.the easiest ones first.

Studying for the ExamStudying for the Exam

Two Weeks Before: Review all notes. Study one unit each Two Weeks Before: Review all notes. Study one unit each night. Spend two nights on Unit 4! Review 5 flashcards of night. Spend two nights on Unit 4! Review 5 flashcards of cases each night.cases each night.

One Week Before: Study the Review Books. Spend one One Week Before: Study the Review Books. Spend one night on each unit, two nights on Unit 4! Quiz yourself with night on each unit, two nights on Unit 4! Quiz yourself with the note cards. Divide them into two piles: those you know the note cards. Divide them into two piles: those you know and those you don’t. Look over old AP Exams. Could you and those you don’t. Look over old AP Exams. Could you answer those Free Response Questions?answer those Free Response Questions?

The Weekend Before: Skim the Review books. Pay special The Weekend Before: Skim the Review books. Pay special attention and spend extra time on Unit 4. Keep studying the attention and spend extra time on Unit 4. Keep studying the note cards of the cases you don’t know. Do one last note cards of the cases you don’t know. Do one last practice exam.practice exam.

The Day Before: Pick one review book and skim the content The Day Before: Pick one review book and skim the content chapters. Spend extra time on Unit 4! Go through all the chapters. Spend extra time on Unit 4! Go through all the notecards- by now you should know them all! Go to bed at notecards- by now you should know them all! Go to bed at a reasonable hour. Get a good night’s sleep! a reasonable hour. Get a good night’s sleep!

One Last Piece Of Advice:One Last Piece Of Advice:

If you are a spiritual person it If you are a spiritual person it couldn’t hurt to pray!couldn’t hurt to pray!