Exam Overview
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.
Exam Date
Update: Roe v. Wade
We’ve received questions from AP teachers about the status of Roe v. Wade (1973), one of the 15 required Supreme Court cases. The Supreme Court recently overturned Roe in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022). Accordingly, Roe no longer applies as precedent for Topic 3.9, “Amendments: Due Process and the Right to Privacy.” Furthermore, the full set of legal implications related to the Dobbs decision and the status of Roe remain uncertain and are likely to evolve. Because AP Exam questions are drafted years before they are administered, future questions about the role of this case as precedent are at risk of becoming inaccurate and confusing to students.
Consequently, teachers and students should not expect exam questions related to Roe v. Wade on the 2023 AP Exam. The AP Program is evaluating inclusion of Roe on future AP Exams and will post an update this fall.
Exam Format
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
Exam Questions and Scoring Information
2023: Free-Response Questions
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