1. Advanced Placement Government & Politics Exam Review
2017

2. AP Gov Exam: The Basics
Essential Question: How is the exam structured?
Two sections:
Multiple Choice = 60 questions in 45 minutes. (50% of Exam)
Free Response Questions = 4 F.R.Q.s in 100 minutes (think 25 minutes each)
(50% of exam)

3. Multiple Choice Question Structure
Each multiple choice question contains a stem and 5 distractors.
For example:
In the organization of government, federalism is illustrated best by
President’s power as commander-in-chief
Separation of powers between the US Congress and US Supreme Court
Representation system for electing Senators
Qualifications for the office of President
The Federal Bureaucracy

4. Free Response Question Structure
Questions have a stem and several structured prompts. Each is worth different points. It’s all in the VERBS!!!!!!
Example: (F.R.Q. # 4 from 2012 exam)
Interest groups seek to influence political processes in ways that benefit their members. In doing so, however, they may not act in the overall public interest.
(a) Describe two techniques interest groups use to influence elections. (2 pts)
(b) Explain how interest groups use each of the following to influence government decision making. (2 pts)
Issue networks (also known as iron triangles)
Amicus curiae briefs
(c) Explain how each of the following serves to limit interest group influence. (2 pts)
The media
Pluralism

5. How is the Exam Scored? Multiple Choice Section:
(60 questions = 60 possible points)
Total score awarded based on number of questions answered correctly
No points deducted for incorrect answers
No points awarded for unanswered questions

6. How is the Exam Scored? (continued)
Free Response Section:
(4 Free Response Questions = 60 possible points)
Points vary by question, but each response is worth 15 total points (4 x 15 = 60)
Points awarded for correct written responses to structured prompts
Responses assessed by two trained “readers”
Scoring criteria is specific to each prompt
FRQ responses are normed to ensure fairness and consistency of scores

7. What is on the exam?
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
(5–15% )
Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
Separation of powers
Federalism
Theories of democratic government
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors (10–20% )
Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
Processes by which citizens learn about politics
The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors

8. What is on the exam? (continued)
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (10–20%)
Political parties and elections
Functions
Organization
Development
Effects on the political process
Electoral laws and systems
Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs)
The range of interests represented
The activities of interest groups
The effects of interest groups on the political process
The unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process
The mass media
The functions and structures of the media
The impacts of media on politics

9. What is on the exam? (continued)
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts (35–45% )
The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
Relationships among these four institutions and varying balances of power
Linkages between institutions and the following:
Public opinion and voters
Interest groups
Political parties
The media
Subnational governments

10. What is on the exam? (continued)
V. Public Policy (5–15% )
Policymaking in a federal system
The formation of policy agendas
The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation
Linkages between policy processes and the following:
Political institutions and federalism
Political parties
Interest groups
Public opinion
Elections
Policy networks

11. What is on the exam? (continued)
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (5–15%)
The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties

12. Multiple Choice Strategies Pace Yourself… “60 in 45”
You have 0 points; start earning some!
Do not spend too much time on a question
Skip & come back later; Circle the questions you skip
No magic arrangement : “random”
Do not waste time on difficult questions
You may do three instead of one!!!

13. Multiple Choice Strategies (continued)
Do not be afraid to write in the test book
Only the answer sheet will be graded
Write all over and make notes
Finding wrong answers is important; cross out eliminated answers
Mark-up the graphs
Do whatever it takes to get the correct answer

14. Do not think too hard
There are easy questions & there are hard questions, in no particular order
Do not overanalyze the simple ones
If it looks easy…it probably is easy
Do not assume “trick questions”

15. Take Educated Guesses No penalty subtracted for wrong answers
No points given for blanks either
Guess on the ones that you have narrowed down

16. Read the Questions Carefully
Look for Key Phrases
“Not”and “except” questions—look for the false answer
Mark each answer “T” or “F”
Look for Key Vocabulary Words
Read answers of graph questions first
“Roman Numerals” – “T” or “F” (rumored to be phased out)

17. Look closely at the answers
On the Hard Questions
Fit words and phrases together
Knowing the wrong answers is as important as knowing the right ones
Keep an handle on the time
Do not be overly concerned if you do not finish

18. Now You Try!!!
Use the strategies you have just learned to take the sample multiple choice test.
Make note of questions/terms you know.
Make note of questions/terms you DON’T know. Use this to know what you should brush up on.
Generate Questions- Ask me for explanations.

19. First…tips to maximizing your score
Doing the FRQ!
First…tips to maximizing your score

20. Looking at the “Free Response”
“4 in 100”—25 Minutes Each
You have 0 points; start earning some!
Read each question before writing
Underline key terms/phrases/tasks
Write your strongest answer first
You do not have to answer them in order
Briefly outline each question: KISS
Jot down all appropriate terminology

21. Analyze the Question
How many parts…usually more than one…usually identified
If it asks for two…give two
Look at the graph, table, or cartoon
Try to get a handle on the question
Do what the questions ask…

22. Pay Attention to Directions
Define or identify
Describe…factual statements
Explain…”why” or “how” & “close the loop”
Why ….”because”
How….” by”
Compare (positive or negative)
Must address BOTH items in a comparison to earn the point

23. Other Key Points
Use the organization of the question to organize the answer
Write clearly and succinctly
Use black (preferable) or blue ink
NEVER USE A PENCIL

24. Key Points….continued Try to answer every question
Pace yourself. Do not get long winded.
Do not use slang or colloquialisms
Do not name-drop or data-drop
Be careful of number, ratios, percentages
Do not cite authors or textbooks

25. BIG POINT Do not editorialize!
The Readers DO NOT CARE what you think. They want to see what you know.
Avoid political bias, prejudices, political pontification.

26. Format
Five Paragraph Essay not necessary, nor is a thesis sentence unless the question asks for it
Clearly written paragraphs with appropriate vocabulary
Do not embellish. It is not necessary.
Once again: ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!!

27. Other Formatting
No points are deducted for misspelled words, comma splices, punctuation, or other grammar
Legibility is crucial. If you have terrible handwriting, print the answer.

28. Now you try to answer the practice FRQ
Use your hints sheet if you forget what to do first
Try to answer every part of the question …look for the verbs
Think, Pair, Share

29. Sample FRQ There are several different approaches to representation
within a democratic political system.
1 pt.
(a) Define direct democracy.
1 pt.
(b) Define republican form of government.
1 pt.
(c) Describe one reason the framers of the United States
Constitution chose a republican form of government
over a direct democracy.
(d) Describe each of the models of congressional
representation.
Trustee model (attitudinal view)
Delegate mode (representational view)
2 pts.
(e) Explain why a member of Congress might sometimes
act as a trustee (attitudinal view) rather than a
delegate (representational view).
1 pt.
6 points

30. + Question 1 There are several different approaches to representation
within a democratic political system.
1 pt.
(a) Define direct democracy.
One point is earned for a correct definition of direct democracy:
Individual participation on legislation/policy
Rule by the people OR
Making decisions without delegating
authority to elected representatives
Can be said in a variety of ways
Rule by people not enough +

31. People ELECT representatives
1 pt.
(b) Define republican form of government.
One point is earned for defining a republican form of government:
Authority is delegated to elected representatives to make decision on behalf of citizens
People ELECT representatives

32. Complete description needed
(c) Describe one reason the framers of the United States
Constitution chose a republican form of government
over a direct democracy.
One point is earned for a description of one reason the framers chose a republican form of government. Reasons include:
Fear of mob rule (tyranny of the majority)
Size of country
Elitism – inadequate education/uninformed
Did not trust people
To counter the influence of factions
Preexistence of states
Reinforcement of federalism
Complete description needed

33. (d) Describe each of the models of congressional representation.
Trustee model (attitudinal view)
Delegate mode (representational view)
One point is earned for each description of the models of congressional representation.
An acceptable description of the trustee model (attitudinal view):
Decisions made by elected official using their own personal views or decisions made by the elected official based on the public good and not on the basis of constituents views
An acceptable description of the delegate model (representational view):
Decisions made by the elected official mirrors the constituents views, represent constituents views, or do what voters tell them to do
2 Points Total

34. EXPLAIN Higher Threshold
(e) Explain why a member of Congress might sometimes
act as a trustee (attitudinal view) rather than a
delegate (representational view).
1 pt.
One point is earned for an acceptable explanation of why a member of Congress might sometimes act as a trustee (attitudinal view) rather than a delegate (representational view).
Information access
Reliance on expertise
Divided constituency
Salience of issue
Vote their conscience (explaining why)
Difficulty determining what voters want
Note: Must close loop to show contrast that the representative is voting regardless of what the constituents want.
EXPLAIN Higher Threshold
NOT “personal gain”

35. (a) Rule by the people PLUS
REMINDERS
(a) Rule by the people PLUS
(b) ELECTED representation
(c) ID + Description
(d) Describe = Definition
(e) EXPLANATION beyond ID
6 Point Total

36. Quizlet Monster Vocabulary List
Key Vocabulary
06/ap-government-monster- vocabulary-list-flash-cards/
Quizlet Monster Vocabulary List

37. GOOD LUCK ON THE AP EXAM!