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About AP Government
About AP Government
AP® U.S. Government and Politics is a college-level semester course that not only seeks to prepare students for success on the AP Exam in May, but also provide students with the political knowledge and skills to participate meaningfully and thoughtfully in discussions and debates that are currently shaping American politics and society. It is important to note that this course is not a history course; it is a political science course that studies the interconnectedness of the different parts of the American political system as well as the behaviors and attitudes that shape this system and are the byproduct of this system. AP U.S. Government and Politics accomplishes these goals by framing the acquisition of political knowledge around big ideas about American government and politics that can be applied to a set of course skills. Through the development of this set of political knowledge and course skills, students will be able to analyze current and historical political events like a political scientist and develop factually accurate, well-reasoned, thoughtful arguments and opinions that acknowledge and grapple with alternative political perspectives.
About the AP Exam
About the AP Exam
2027 AP Exam: May 4, 2027
The AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam assesses student understanding of the skills and learning objectives outlined in the course framework. The exam is 3 hours long and includes 55 multiple-choice questions and 4 free response questions.
The first section of the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam includes 55 multiple choice questions appearing either as individual questions or in sets of typically 2-4 questions each.
The second section of the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam includes 4 free-response questions, each weighted equally.
Free-Response 1: Concept Application
Concept Application presents students with an authentic scenario. This question assesses student ability to describe and explain the effects of a political institution, behavior, or process. Additionally, this question assesses student ability to transfer understanding of course concepts and apply them in a new situation or scenario.
Free-Response 2: Quantitative Analysis
Quantitative Analysis presents students with quantitative data in the form of a table, graph, map, or infographic. This question assesses students’ ability to perform the following:
Describe the data presented
Describe a pattern, trend, similarity, or difference in the data presented
Draw a conclusion based on the data
Explain how the data demonstrate a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior
Free-Response 3: SCOTUS Comparison
SCOTUS Comparison presents students with information about a nonrequired Supreme Court Case. For the required Supreme Court case, students should know the facts, the issue(s), the holdings, and the reasoning behind the decisions. On the AP Exam, students will need to apply this information to a real-world scenario or in comparison to another case. Any non-required Supreme Court case that appears on AP Exams will be accompanied by a summary containing all information necessary to compare the non-required case to required SCOTUS cases.
Free-Response 4: Argument Essay
Argument Essay
assesses students’ ability to do the following:
Articulate a defensible claim or thesis that responds to the question and establishes a line of reasoning
Provide evidence from one of the foundational documents listed in the question to support the claim
Provide evidence from a second foundational document or from knowledge of course concepts to support the claim
Use reasoning to explain why the evidence supports the claim
Respond to an opposing or alternate perspective using rebuttal or refutation.
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