about this year's test

You will take the 2020 test at home on your own computer/phone/tablet.

DATE: Monday, May 11

TIME: 4:00 pm

This year's test will cover Units 1-3 only. Like about half of AP Gov teachers everywhere, I taught the course in a different order. We have covered Units 1, 4, 5, and most of 2. You will need to cover the Judiciary in Unit 2 (Ch. 13) and all of Unit 3 (Chs. 14 and 15). MOST required Supreme Court cases come out of Unit 3.

The test will have a 45 minute timeline and will be FREE RESPONSE ONLY.

First FRQ: Type 4...the Argumentative Essay.

25 minutes to write, 5 minutes to upload. 60% of your score. You don't need the "rebuttal" part this year. You'll be given documents (names only) to use as "evidence" to support your claim. Answer like this:

• State your claim
• Establish your line of reasoning ("because...")
• Use 1 of the documents as "evidence" to back up your claim AND EXPLAIN WHY it backs up your claim
• Use another document as "evidence" to back up your claim AND EXPLAIN WHY it backs up your claim. Don't use the same document again unless it's the Constitution (different article/amendment). You may also have your 2nd piece of evidence be anything from your study of the course.
• You should tie it all together, but it is not completely necessary to do this.

2nd FRQ: Type 1...Concept Application

15 minutes to write, 5 minutes to upload. 40% of your score.

These questions give you a passage/scenario. There is usually an A, B, and C along with it (sometimes a D). Typically, you'll do this:

• Part A: Identify the government/political topic (Senate Advice and Consent power, Judicial Review, etc.)
• Part B: Explain how that topic relates to the passage/scenario given
• Part C: Explain how that topic would apply either broadly or to a new scenario (given in Part C)

They will be running each response through software that detects plagiarism. So don't copy and paste from ANY website, and do NOT submit the same answer as someone else. That would be cheating.

According to the College Board, it will be an open-book, open-note test. Now, with a 45-minute time limit, you may want to have some condensed notes with you rather than your entire book/binder.

Here's what I would have with you (this may change as more info is given as to the type of FRQs) during the test:

• Constitution
• Foundational Documents review (Google slideshow on this page)
• Breakdown of SCOTUS required cases (there is a Google slideshow on this page that breaks each of them down for you)
• A list of every check and balance that you can think of
• Types of powers (expressed/implied/etc.) and examples of each one

I have opened ALL of the practice tests on AP Classroom. Please utilize those! Doing the multiple choice sections will help as well even though multiple choice won't be on the test.