Structure of the AP Government & Politics Exam Mrs. Lacks 2013

Exam Time 2 hours & 25 mins total 2 Sections: Multiple Choice & Writing Each section worth 50% of total grade

Multiple Choice Section I 60 Questions 45 mins Five answer choices per question (A – E)

Multiple Choice Questions get progressively difficult Often one or two words can change the question, so read thoroughly Some questions ask you to analyze charts, graphs, and tables closely

Multiple Choice Reverse MC questions are included (questions that use NOT, LEAST, or EXCEPT) Multiple MC questions are included (picking multiple answers in one question)

Multiple Choice Scoring All questions are of equal weight If you have no clue, leave it blank If you can narrow it down to two answers, guess Scoring is similar to SAT

Multiple Choice Political Beliefs & Behaviors: 10 to 20% Political Parties, Interest Groups, & Mass Media: 10 to 20% Structure of Government: 35 to 45% Public Policy: 5 to 15% Civil Rights & Liberties: 5 to 15%

Free Response Section II 4 Essays (FR) 100 mins No choice of essays Frequently multi-part essays Each essay carries the same weight (25% of your score for Section II)

Free Response You do not have to answer your questions in order, just label them clearly At least one question will be stimulus based (chart, graph, table) Outline your answer & jot down facts Answer the question that you think is easiest first

Almost ALL questions ask you to.. Define or Identify: means to tell me what the term is Discuss or describe: this means to talk about it – more than a definition (add at least one example) Explain: means how and why (if you define but don’t explain how or why, no points)

Format No need for an introduction or conclusion Answer each question directly – no BS

Use Examples If the question asks you for two examples, write three No penalty for wrong answers in your FRQ as long as you have the correct number of right ones

Do’s Write as neatly as possible. If they can’t read it, they can’t grade it. Read the question. Then read the question again. Make sure you’re answering only what is being asked. Use the EXACT VOCABULARY from the question in each component of your answer. Define all government related vocabulary even if you think it’s obvious

Don’ts Don’t give personal opinions (like your political affiliation or whether you like the president’s policy). The exam tests your knowledge of political process, not opinion. Don’t give long, unnecessary introductions, get right to the point. Don’t give information they didn’t ask for. There are no extra credit or “brownie” points.

Don’ts Do not label parts of the question in your answer Separate each part in a separate paragraph (even if you’re only writing a couple of sentences), but do not differentiate by writing (a), (b), ( c), etc.

Overall Scoring - 2009 5 (extremely well qualified): 13.1% 2 (possibly qualified): 24.2% 1 (no recommendation): 20.3%