AP Government Test Review & Procedures

Scoring

120 points total

90-120 75% 5

75-89 62% 4

60-74 50% 3

36-59 30% 2

0-35 29% 1

Curriculum Outline

Constitution & Federalism 5-15%

Political Beliefs & Public Opinion, & Voting10-20%

Parties, Interest Groups, Media 10-20%

3 Branches of Govt. and Bureaucracy 35-45%

Public Policy & The Budget 5-15%

Civil Liberties & Civil Rights 5-15%

Multiple Choice

60 Questions – 1 point each

45 Minutes

50% of total Test grade

No penalty for wrong answers (OK to guess)

Free Response

4 Free Response Questions Each worth 15 points

100 Minutes Total 25 minutes for each question

50% of grade

Do not write a thesis

Answer question clearly and directly

You can add a “spare tire” If the question asks for two examples or reasons you can give 3 The reader is required to read all of them and give credit for

the best 2

Free Response

1. Read the ENTIRE Question Carefully. If the question is split up, answer it in the same manner (ex. Question A, Question B, etc...)

2. Make sure you directly answer the question asked. If the question asks for Multiple Answers then GIVE multiple answers /examples, characteristics, etc...

3. Don't cater to only one ideology or philosophy. Just answer the question.

4. Be to the POINT and CONCISE-don't get lost in the words (Usually 1 page is enough!)

5. Think back to the Multiple Choice Part- was there anything in there you can use?

6. Answer EVERY Question and completely as possible. DO NOT Give up on any question You may score a few points for trying! (Use the Spare Tire if needed!)

7. Black INK is easiest for Readers to read your essay! No pencils please.

The Incumbency Advantage

Single most important factor in determining the outcome of congressional elections Pork barrel Franking privilege gerrymandering

Federalism

Power divided between central governments and regional governments

Federal government prevails when there is conflict Necessary & Proper clause Commerce clause Federal mandates

All have increased the power of the Federal government relative to the states

Process of Amending the Constitution illustrates structure of American Government

Selection of Supreme Court Justices

By President w/ majority vote of Senate

Judicial Restraint Use framers of the Constitutions'’ original intent

when deciding cases

Judicial Activism Supreme Court must correct injustices when other

branches fail to do so

The Electoral College

President not elected directly by people

Must receive majority of electoral votes

Winner Take All System Candidate who wins a plurality of votes get all

state’s electoral votes

Difficult for 3rd Parties

If there is a tie House decides the President

African American Voting Patterns

Vote predominantly democratic

Support more liberal candidates

Voter Turnout

U.S. is lower than most Western democracies

Majority don’t vote in nonpresidential elections

More education = More voting

More income = More voting

Older = More Voting

Women vote more than men

Divided Government

President & Congress from different parties

Slows legislative process

More partisanship

President can use media to gain support

The Veto Power

President can Veto a bill Congress can over ride 2/3rds vote

Pocket Veto Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a

bill and President does nothing

Line Item Veto Ruled unconstitutional

President & Cabinet

President appoints Cabinet Need consent of Senate Pres. Can fire Cabinet w/o consent

Divided Loyalties Loyal to goals of their department

Often difficulty in controlling Cabinet Form Iron Triangles with interest groups &

congressional committees

The Federalist Papers

Federalist 10 Madison Political factions undesirable but inevitable A large republic would fragment political power and

curb the threat posed by factions

14th Amendment & Selective Incorporation

Made African Americans citizens Voided Dred Scot decision

Due Process Clause Forbids states from acting in an unfair way

Equal Protection Clause Forbids a state from discriminating against or drawing

unreasonable distinctions between persons

Selective Incorporation Uses 14th Amendment to extend most of the Bill or

Rights to states

Political Socialization

Political values are formed and passed from one generation the next

Family is the most important agent

Critical Election

When groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty

Triggers party realignment

Selection of Supreme Court Cases

Nearly all cases reach S.C. by a writ of certiorari

Rule of Four

Refuses to hear most lower court appeals

The Mass Media

Affects which issues public things are important

Horse Race Journalism Media focuses on polls, personalities, and sound bits Instead of key issues

Articles of Confederation

Weak central government that had limited power over the states

Created a unicameral Congress

Lacked power to levy taxes or regulate interstate trade

The Role of State Legislatures

In the Original Constitution Chose U.S. Senators Change with 17th Amendment

Now elected by the people of each state

State Legislatures Determine boundary lines of congressional districts

State Legislature Ratify amendments by a 3/4ths vote of the states