AP United States Government and Politics

Exam questions assess the course concepts and skills outlined in the course framework. For more information, download the AP U.S. Government and Politics Course and Exam Description (CED).

Encourage your students to visit the AP U.S. Government and Politics student page for exam information.

The AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam has consistent question types, weighting, and scoring guidelines every year, so you and your students know what to expect on exam day.

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

Note: Some questions and scoring guidelines from the 2023 and earlier AP U.S. Government and Politics Exams may not perfectly align with the course and exam updates that take effect in the 2023-24 school year. These questions remain available because teachers say that imperfectly aligned questions still provide instructional value.

2023: Free-Response Questions