AP United States Government and Politics Exam information
What it is, what's tested, and how it's scored.
AP U.S. Government exam details
The United States Government and Politics (AP U.S. Government) Exam evaluates students' knowledge of government branches and procedures, political processes and ideologies, and legal cases taught in the AP U.S. Government course. Students cultivate an understanding of what shapes U.S. politics by analyzing data and text-based sources, exploring key topics like constitutionalism and civic participation, and understanding competing policy-making interests.
The course and exam are designed to cover content most commonly seen in introductory political science classes taught at the college level. Students who take AP U.S. Government engage in rigorous and analytical coursework, and a high score on the exam can unlock academic credit at many colleges.
The AP U.S. Government exam is hosted by College Board and costs $99 to register. Participants have 3 hours to answer 55 multiple-choice questions, 4 free-response questions. The passing score is 3.
Time
3 hours
Format
55 multiple-choice questions
4 free-response questions
Exam fee
$99
Passing score
3
Details
The exam has two parts: a 1-hour and 20-minute multiple-choice section and a 1-hour and 40-minute free-response section. A 10-minute scheduled break is included between the two sections. Multiple-choice questions are completed online through the Bluebook testing app, while responses to free-response questions are handwritten.
The test assesses students' mastery of the material taught in AP U.S. Government and is taken either in school or at designated testing centers.
The AP U.S. Government course and exam cover the following units:
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
Unit 5: Political Participation
The AP U.S. Government course revolves around five key skill areas that students learn and develop throughout the year:
Concept Application: Apply political concepts and democratic processes to scenarios in context.
SCOTUS Application: Apply Supreme Court decisions.
Data Analysis: Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, graphs, maps, and infographics.
Source Analysis: Read, analyze, and interpret foundational documents and other text-based and visual sources.
Argumentation: Develop an argument in essay format.
The College Board creates a standardized curriculum guide for all AP classes and exams. The order, depth, and focus of units taught are determined by individual instructors.
College Board's AP U.S. Government exam summary
Multiple Choice
50% of exam
55 questions
In this section, you'll be asked to describe, explain, and compare political concepts and processes, apply legal precedents set by Supreme Court cases, analyze data and visualizations, and read and interpret foundational documents. Both single questions and question sets based on a specific topic are included.
Free Response
50% of exam
4 questions
- Concept Application - 1 question:Respond to a political scenario, describe political institutions, and explain their effects, behavior, or process.
- Quantitative Analysis - 1 question:Analyze quantitative data, identify trends and patterns, and draw conclusions from visual representations. Explain how charts, graphs, and figures relate to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior.
- SCOTUS Comparison - 1 question:Compare a non-required Supreme Court case with a required/landmark case. Explain how information from the case learned in class is relevant to the new case presented.
- Argument Essay - 1 question:Develop an argument in an essay format, using evidence from foundational documents, written texts, and core course concepts.
Achievable AP U.S. Government content outline
1
Foundations of government and politics
Introduces key concepts of power, authority, and legitimacy. Explores direct versus indirect democracy, different types of political systems, and how issues enter the policy agenda.
2
The Constitution
Reviews the events leading to the Constitutional Convention and the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Examines the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Federalist 10, Federalist 51, Brutus 1, the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debate, and the Bill of Rights.
3
Federalism
Explains the division of power between national and state governments. Covers federalism versus a unitary system, types of federal grants, mandates versus conditions of aid, and the concept of devolution.
4
Congress
Discusses the structure and functions of the bicameral legislature. Compares the House of Representatives and the Senate, reviews demographics and organization, and outlines how a bill becomes a law. Includes key cases such as McCulloch v. Maryland, Shaw v. Reno, and Baker v. Carr.
5
Presidency
Examines the constitutional basis of presidential power and the structure of the executive branch. Differentiates between formal and informal powers, explores the character of the presidency, and reviews checks on executive power, as outlined in Federalist 70.
6
Economic policy
Introduces the four main economic theories influencing U.S. policy. Explains fiscal versus monetary policy, the roles of key economic actors, the federal budget process, and issues of debt and deficit.
7
Bureaucracy
Describes the organization and operation of the federal bureaucracy. Covers its powers, oversight mechanisms, and challenges, as well as reforms aimed at improving efficiency and accountability.
8
Judiciary
Explores the structure and role of the federal court system, including the Supreme Court. Discusses Marbury v. Madison, Federalist 78, and concepts of judicial review, standing, and access to courts.
9
Civil liberties
Focuses on the protection of individual rights through key Supreme Court cases. Analyzes the application of the Bill of Rights and the ongoing balance between order and liberty.
10
Civil rights
Reviews the struggle for equality through court decisions and legislation. Discusses the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause, Brown v. Board of Education, civil rights laws, affirmative action, and Letter from Birmingham Jail.
11
Political culture, political socialization, public opinion polls
Examines the values and beliefs underlying American political culture. Covers political ideology, agents of socialization, the methods and reliability of polling, and issues affecting public opinion data.
12
Political participation
Explains patterns and reasons for low voter turnout. Reviews the expansion of voting rights, forms of political participation, and differences between prospective and retrospective voting.
13
Political parties
Compares political parties and interest groups. Discusses party functions, the role of minor parties, and evaluates the advantages and drawbacks of the two-party system.
14
Interest groups
Describes types of interest groups and social movements. Covers lobbying activities, political influence, and government regulation of interest groups.
15
Media
Analyzes the functions and influence of the media in politics. Discusses media regulation, the press's role as an accountability watchdog, and the checks that limit media power.
16
Campaigns and elections
Explains the presidential nomination process, including primaries, caucuses, and national conventions. Reviews the Electoral College, campaign finance laws, and the impact of Citizens United v. FEC.