1. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT and POLITICS
PREP SESSION
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT and POLITICS

2. When is the exam?
May 12
8:00 A.M.
Lincoln Center

3. Format of test 60 multiple choice 45 minutes No penalty for guessing
4 Free Response Questions (FRQ)
15 points each for a total of 60 points
100 minutes

4. 2012 Scoring Sheet

5. Curriculum Outline The Constitution and Federalism 5-15 percent
Political Beliefs, Public Opinion
10-20 percent
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
The Three Branches of the Federal Government and the Bureaucracy
35-45 percent
Public policy and the Budget
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

6. AP Government Study Links

7. Three Challenging Formats for Multiple Choice Questions
Definitional Questions
Except Questions
Supreme Court Cases

8. Definitional Question
Those who believe that the Supreme Court should use its rulings to correct social injustices advocate
Strict scrutiny
Selective incorporation
Judicial restraint
Stare decisis
Judicial activisim

9. Except Question
All of the following are commonly used by interest groups to influence public policy EXCEPT
Participating in iron triangles
Paying for media campaigns
Forming PACs
Selecting candidates
Endorsing candidates

10. Questions about Supreme Court Cases
In Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court ruled that
There is a constitutional right to privacy
Strict quota systems are illegal;
The exclusionary rule applies to the states
The principle of “one person, one vote” can be applied to state legislative districts
The Bill of Rights cannot be applied to the states

11. Practice Materials for Free Response Questions
Practice with authentic materials.
Free Response questions from actual tests are available at the U.S. Government and Politics homepage at AP Central (
You will find questions from 1999 to the present.

12. Strategies for Success
Watch your time.
Write direct answers for focused, multipart questions.
Be prepared to define key concepts.
Be prepared to list, describe, discuss, and explain.
Add a spare tire.
Make studying Congress and the Presidency a priority.