The AP Government The AP Government ExamExam

The Multiple Choice SectionThe Multiple Choice Section60 MC questions in 45 minutes60 MC questions in 45 minutes

AP ScoreAP Score MC Raw Score MC Raw Score (Number of MC (Number of MC correct – ¼ for each correct – ¼ for each wrong answer)wrong answer)

55 49+49+

44 40-4840-48

33 28-3928-39

22 19-2719-27

11 <19<19

Types of MC QuestionsTypes of MC Questions

1. A “pocket veto” can occur only 1. A “pocket veto” can occur only whenwhen (A) Congress amends a bill.(A) Congress amends a bill. (B) the president is out of the country.(B) the president is out of the country. (C) a bill passes Congress with a greater (C) a bill passes Congress with a greater

than 2/3 majority in each house.than 2/3 majority in each house. (D) a bill reaches the president’s desk (D) a bill reaches the president’s desk

within ten days of the end of a within ten days of the end of a congressional term. congressional term.

NOT/EXCEPT QuestionsNOT/EXCEPT Questions

2. In the 202. In the 20thth century, the Democratic century, the Democratic Party traditionally received majority Party traditionally received majority support from all of the following support from all of the following groups EXCEPTgroups EXCEPT (A) the wealthy(A) the wealthy (B) African Americans(B) African Americans (C) Jews(C) Jews (D) union members(D) union members (E) teachers(E) teachers

The increased use of the presidential primary since the The increased use of the presidential primary since the 1960s has had the following effect(s)1960s has had the following effect(s)I. Weakened the power of political partiesI. Weakened the power of political partiesII. Increased the power of political activists in the partiesII. Increased the power of political activists in the partiesIII. Increased the cost of running for political officeIII. Increased the cost of running for political officeIV. Increased the drama of the party conventionIV. Increased the drama of the party conventionV. decreased the number of persons challenging V. decreased the number of persons challenging incumbentsincumbents

(A) I only(A) I only (B) I,II, and III only(B) I,II, and III only (C) II and III only(C) II and III only (D) II and IV only(D) II and IV only (E) III IV and V only(E) III IV and V only

Average, highest, and lowest approval ratings, by % of eligible voters, Average, highest, and lowest approval ratings, by % of eligible voters, for American presidents, 1953-1974for American presidents, 1953-1974

Average HighestAverage Highest LowestLowestEisenhowerEisenhower 6565 7979 4848KennedyKennedy 7070 8383 5656JohnsonJohnson 5555 7979 3535NixonNixon 4949 6767 2424

Which of the following conclusions can be draw from the Which of the following conclusions can be draw from the information presented in the chart above?information presented in the chart above?

(A) Eisenhower was the most consistently popular president (A) Eisenhower was the most consistently popular president in the nation’s historyin the nation’s history

(B) Kennedy received greater congressional support for his (B) Kennedy received greater congressional support for his programs than any other president during the period in programs than any other president during the period in questionquestion

(C) Nixon’s lowest approval rating was the result of the (C) Nixon’s lowest approval rating was the result of the Watergate scandalWatergate scandal

(D) The difference between Johnson’s highest and lowest (D) The difference between Johnson’s highest and lowest approval ratings was the greatest for any president during approval ratings was the greatest for any president during the period in question.the period in question.

(E) Eisenhower and Johnson were equally well liked by all (E) Eisenhower and Johnson were equally well liked by all AmericansAmericans

Political Cartoon AnalysisPolitical Cartoon Analysis

Free Response Questions (FRQs)Free Response Questions (FRQs)

On the AP US Government Exam, you On the AP US Government Exam, you have 100 minutes to answer 4 FRQs. have 100 minutes to answer 4 FRQs.

You MUST answer all 4 FRQs. There You MUST answer all 4 FRQs. There are no choice optionsare no choice options

At least one of the FRQs will be a At least one of the FRQs will be a Chart/Graph/Political Cartoon Chart/Graph/Political Cartoon Analysis QuestionAnalysis Question

All FRQs are weighted equallyAll FRQs are weighted equally

FRQs Con’tFRQs Con’t If you encounter a question that asks about If you encounter a question that asks about

something that you think you don’t know, something that you think you don’t know, don’t panic. Try to think of things that seem don’t panic. Try to think of things that seem to be related and try to work that into the to be related and try to work that into the answer. answer.

ALWAYS ANSWER THE QUESTION. You DO ALWAYS ANSWER THE QUESTION. You DO NOT lose points for including incorrect NOT lose points for including incorrect information. information.

All FRQs, to some extent, ask for a response All FRQs, to some extent, ask for a response that cuts across our units of study. Keep that cuts across our units of study. Keep that in mind as you answer. that in mind as you answer.

FRQs Tips For AnsweringFRQs Tips For Answering

Because all are of equal weight, Because all are of equal weight, budget about 25 min per question. budget about 25 min per question. Don’t spend 45 minutes on one FRQ Don’t spend 45 minutes on one FRQ just to nail it.just to nail it.

You can answer the FRQs in any You can answer the FRQs in any order. order.

Read all the FRQs first. Get the one’s Read all the FRQs first. Get the one’s you find easier out of the way.you find easier out of the way.

Scoring FRQsScoring FRQs

Each FRQ is scored on a rubric from 4 Each FRQ is scored on a rubric from 4 - 8 points- 8 points

You don’t get extra points for doing You don’t get extra points for doing more than is askedmore than is asked

Exam Readers are looking for correct Exam Readers are looking for correct info on the rubric. Incorrect info can info on the rubric. Incorrect info can be included so long as it doesn’t be included so long as it doesn’t contradict correct infocontradict correct info

Marking Up an FRQMarking Up an FRQ

To aid you in reading the question, To aid you in reading the question, and figuring out what it is asking you and figuring out what it is asking you to do, you should “mark up” the to do, you should “mark up” the question. question.

Steps in Marking Up a QuestionSteps in Marking Up a Question

1. Find the “action” or task words in 1. Find the “action” or task words in the question. Action or task words the question. Action or task words are things like “describe,” “explain,” are things like “describe,” “explain,” “define,”“define,”

Circle the task word(s) that you find Circle the task word(s) that you find in the question.in the question.

2. Find “number” words in your 2. Find “number” words in your questions. These are words that tell questions. These are words that tell you how many things you have to you how many things you have to describe, explain or define.describe, explain or define.

Put a box around the number wordsPut a box around the number words

3. Find the words letting you know 3. Find the words letting you know what it is that you have to define, what it is that you have to define, describe or explain.describe or explain.

Underline those. Underline those.

4. Go back and reread the question, 4. Go back and reread the question, paying particular attention to the paying particular attention to the task you are assigned and task you are assigned and how how many many of that particular task you of that particular task you need to perform.need to perform.