1. Free Response Questions
There are four MANDATORY free-response questions on the exam
At least one question will require interpretation of a chart, graph, or cartoon
Essays for free-response question can be written in any order
In addition, questions are sometimes broken into parts (such as A and B). When this is the case, label each part of your response

2. Free-Response Questions
These are not traditional essay questions
Most do not require an introduction or conclusion
Most do not even require a thesis
Many may be written in a bulleted or short-answer format
READERS WANT SPECIFICS
They are looking for accurate information presented in clear, concise manner

3. Free- Response Questions
You have 100 minutes for this section
Allow 25 minutes for each questions
Spend 5 minutes reading and writing down a few words on each point you want to cover
Then, spend 15 minutes writing your response
Save the last 5 minutes to review your response

4. Free-Response Questions
VOCABULARY
Be sure to do exactly what the questions asks
It is important to note the word choices used in questions
For example:
DEFINE- state the meaning of a word or phrase or to give a specific example
IDENTIFY- select a factor, person, or idea and give it a name
EXPLAIN WHY/EXPLAIN HOW
Explanations usually include the word BECAUSE

5. Free-Response Questions
What if you really don’t understand or remember something? The first rule is don’t panic and start making things up. Instead, try to write confidently about the parts of the question you do understand, and include all parts of the question in at least a general way, if possible. Remember, it’s better to get some points than no points at all. At the very least, brainstorm. Perhaps you will stumble across something.

6. Here is an example of this last point: If you’re asked about the War Powers Act and the Budget and Impoundment Act but can’t fully explain both of them, you can make a global statement at the beginning of your essay that shows that you know something about both of them, such as: "The War Powers Act and the Budget and Impoundment Act were passed to set limits on presidential power." That way you wouldn’t have said anything incorrect, and you’d only lose points for not fully answering the question

7. Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
If you make a mistake, simply draw a line through it and write the correct information above it. And, don’t use arrows or asterisk because they can be confusing to the readers.
Read the question. And then read it again. Think about what you’re going to write. Outline your answer. Make sure you’re only answering what has been asked.
Reread your work and make sure you’ve answered each question fully and correctly. Have you appropriately LINKED your answer to the question?
Leave yourself a few minutes at the end to revise or proofread your answers.
At the very least, use the EXACT VOCABULARY from the question in each component of your answer. Most rubrics ask for linkage back to the question. This is the sure fire way to move in that direction.

8. Do’s and Don’ts
Don’ts
Don’t give personal opinions (like your political affiliation or whether you like the president’s policies). The Exam is testing your knowledge and understanding of the political process. Don’t waste time stating an opinion, unless you’re asked to do so.
2. Don’t give long, unnecessary introductions. Get to the point.
3. Don’t give information you weren’t asked for. You won’t get any extra points if you do. So don’t waste your time writing it.
4. Don’t spend more than 25 minutes on any one free-response question.

9. Sample FRQ
The Constitution has had seventeen formal amendments since the adoption of the Bill of Rights, yet there are basic elements that have changed because of informal processes as well.
a. Identify the most common means of formally amending the Constitution.
b. Identify and explain how one informal process has changed the meaning of the Constitution even without formal amendment.
c. Identify and explain how another informal process has changed the meaning of the Constitution even without formal amendment.

10. Suggested Answer for Sample FRQ
1. The Constitution is the cornerstone of US Democracy. It was written by the founding fathers to guarantee that US democracy would survive. The constitution can be amended either formally or informally.
a. The process for formal amendments begins with the proposal of an amendment. This comes either by a 2/3 vote of each house of Congress or by the vote of 2/3 of the states in a national convention. The proposed amendment must be ratified by ¾ of the states in either votes of the state legislatures or a ratifying convention in each state.

11. b. The Constitution can be amended informally in many ways
b. The Constitution can be amended informally in many ways. That means that the Constitution might have changed meaning without having a formal amendment added. Like the military has an Air Force even though the Constitution only says that there will be “an army and a navy.” This has changed the meaning of many provisions of the Constitution that relate to the military.

12. Mostly, informal amendments involve custom and usage
Mostly, informal amendments involve custom and usage. For example, a president can issue an executive order or negotiate an executive agreement with other nations. These are not part of the Constitution, but presidents have learned to use them anyway, and as a result have gained powers that the founders originally gave to Congress. As a result, they are, in a way, the same as formal amendments to the Constitution.
As one can see, the Constitution can be amended formally and informally.