Important Updates
New Teaching and Assessing Module for the Redesigned Course and Exam
The first, second, and third Teaching and Assessing AP U.S. Government and Politics modules are now available.
New Secure Practice Exam and Student Samples
A new AP U.S. Government and Politics practice exam reflecting the 2018-19 redesign is available through your AP Course Audit account. Log in and click Secure Documents in the Resources section of your Course Status page.
Two sets of annotated sample student responses to the free-response questions in the practice exam from the CED are also available: one as a public document on the exam page, and one as a secure document through your AP Course Audit account.
2018-19 AP U.S. Government and Politics Redesign
This page has been updated to reflect the 2018-19 AP U.S. Government and Politics redesign, launching in the fall of 2018.
New Resources Coming Soon
Starting in late summer through the fall and winter of 2018, new resources for AP U.S. Government and Politics teachers will become available:
- More Teaching and Assessing modules
- Online events
- Reading skills lessons featuring the required foundational documents
Please be sure to check back often for additional resources released throughout the 2018-19 school year.
Course Overview
AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they complete a political science research or applied civics project.
School and district administrators: Considering AP U.S. Government and Politics for your school or district? Download the course framework (pdf/1.10MB) for an overview of the course and exam. You can also download a practice exam (pdf/1.3MB).
Essential Course Resources
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AP U.S. Government and Politics Course Overview
The two-page Course Overview provides a succinct description of the course and exam.
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AP U.S. Government and Politics Project Guide from the CED
The 2018-19 redesigned course includes a required project. The required project adds a civic component to the course, engaging students in exploring how they can affect, and are affected by, government and politics throughout their lives. Students should plan a presentation that relates their experiences or findings to what they are learning in the course.
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AP U.S. Government and Politics Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the course, exam, and AP Course Audit.
2018-19 Course and Exam Redesign
The AP U.S. Government and Politics course and exam were redesigned for the 2018-19 school year. Learn more.
College Board Store
Find AP United States Government and Politics publications, released exams, and more in the College Board Store.
AP and Higher Education
Higher Education professionals play a key role developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Ed site features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.
This chart shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the AP Credit Policy search.
Meet the current Development Committee for AP United States Government and Politics.