AP US Government and Politics

American government, politics, and civic life

Exam Format

Know the structure before you walk in.

Multiple Choice

Section I

80 questions, 80 minutes, 60% of score.
Tests foundations, institutions, civil liberties, and political participation.

Free Response

Section II

4 questions (1 argument essay, 3 concept application), 100 minutes, 40% of score.

Key Policies

Calculator & Materials

No calculator.
Total exam time: 2 hours 25 minutes.

Scoring

Scale 1–5

Approximately 13% of students score a 5.
Scores of 3+ typically earn college credit.

Units

Click any unit to access study guides, practice tests, flashcards, videos, and more.

Unit 1

Foundations of American Democracy

Constitutional principles, federalism, and democratic theory

Unit 2

Interactions Among Branches

Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Courts

Unit 3

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Bill of Rights, due process, and equality under the law

Unit 4

American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

Political socialization, public opinion, and political culture

Unit 5

Political Participation

Voting, elections, interest groups, and the media

Extra Resources

Additional materials from the Ultimate Review Packet.

99 Essential Questions Master Answers Download 99 Essential Questions Master Download Required Supreme Court Cases Key Download Required Supreme Court Cases Download

Course Resources

Everything you need to master AP US Government and Politics.

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Study Guide

Complete unit-by-unit breakdown with key concepts and formulas.

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Practice Test

Full-length timed exam with AP-style questions and scoring.

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Flashcards

Key terms and concepts in an easy-to-review format.

Study Cards
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Video Lessons

Step-by-step walkthroughs of the hardest topics.

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Cheat Sheet

One-page printable with all essential formulas and facts.

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