AP U.S. Government requires students to develop their understanding of American government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources while exploring topics such as constitutionalism, liberty and order, citizen participation in representative democracy, competing interests in decision-making, and methods of political analysis.
5: 12.0%
4: 11.6%
3: 26.9%
2: 25.8%
1: 23.8%
Access a record for past score distributions here
Section I: Multiple Choice
55 Questions | 1 Hour 20 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
Individual questions (no stimulus): ~30
Set-based questions
Quantitative Analysis: Analysis and application of quantitative-based source material
Qualitative Analysis: Analysis and application of text-based (primary and secondary) sources
Visual Analysis: Analysis and application of qualitative visual information
Section II: Free Response
4 Questions | 1 Hour 40 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
Concept Application: Respond to a political scenario, describe and explain the effects of a political institution, behavior, or process
Quantitative Analysis: Analyze quantitative data, identify a trend or pattern, or draw a conclusion from a visual representation and explain how it relates to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior
SCOTUS Comparison: Compare a nonrequired Supreme Court case with a required Supreme Court case, explaining how information from the required case is relevant to the nonrequired one
Argument Essay: Develop an argument in the form of an essay, using evidence from required foundational documents and course concepts
Section I: Multiple Choice
55 Questions | 1 Hour 20 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
Section II: Free Response
4 Questions | 1 Hour 40 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score