Hi, I'm taking AP Gov next semester and I want to start preparing early. Can anyone give me a rundown of the exam's format, like the number of questions, types of questions, and how it's scored? Thanks a lot!
Hi there! It's great that you're preparing for the AP Gov exam in advance. Here's a quick breakdown of the exam format:
The AP US Government and Politics exam is divided into two sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response.
Section I: Multiple Choice
- This section consists of 55 multiple-choice questions.
- You'll have 80 minutes to complete this section.
- The multiple-choice section makes up 50% of your total exam score.
Section II: Free Response
- This section consists of 4 free-response questions (FRQs).
- You'll have 100 minutes to complete this section.
- Each FRQ is worth 12.5% of your total exam score, so the FRQ section as a whole contributes the other 50% of your total score.
Now, let's take a look at the content of the Free Response section:
1. Concept Application: You'll need to explain and apply political concepts, principles, institutions, etc., in the context of a real-world scenario.
2. Quantitative Analysis: You'll be given a quantitative dataset (e.g., infographic or chart), and you'll be asked to analyze and draw conclusions from this information.
3. SCOTUS Comparison: You'll compare two Supreme Court cases—one nonrequired and one required—and explain how information from the required case is relevant to the nonrequired one. Required cases are ones chosen by the College Board and deemed essential to college courses in history and politics.
4. Argument Essay: You'll develop a well-reasoned, evidence-based argument by crafting a thesis statement and supporting it with evidence from foundational documents and/or Supreme Court cases.
To study for the exam, I'd recommend reviewing course materials, doing practice questions, and utilizing resources like the AP Gov exam course description and the College Board's AP Classroom. Good luck with your preparation!
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