AP® GoPo Course Overview
The AP® GoPo exam covers Five Units of study.
Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy (approximately 15-22% of multiple choice questions)
Unit 2 Interactions Among Branches of Government (approximately 25-36% of multiple choice questions)
Unit 3 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (approximately 13-18% of multiple choice questions)
Unit 4 American Political Ideologies and Beliefs (approximately 10-15% of multiple choice questions)
Unit 5 Political Participation (approximately 20-27% of multiple choice questions)
*There is no state/local unit, there is no unit on international politics, and there is no unit on monster trucks.
The AP® Government and Politics Exam is on May 6, 2024!
PART I. Multiple Choice 55 questions; 80 minutes; 50% of exam grade.
Quantitative Analysis: Analysis and application of quantitative-based source material
Five sets of quantitative analysis questions ((table, chart, line graph, map, etc.)
Each set will contain two multiple-choice questions for a total of ten questions.
Qualitative Analysis: Analysis and application of text-based (primary and secondary) sources
Two sets of questions based on a text.
Visual Analysis: Analysis and application of qualitative visual information
Three sets of visual qualitative sources. (political cartoon, infographic, etc.)
Concept Application: Explanation of the application of political concepts in context
Comparison: Explanation of the similarities and differences of political concepts
Five sets of comparison charts
Knowledge: Identification and definition of political principles, institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors
PART II. Free Response 4 questions; 1 hour, 40 minutes; 50% of exam grade.
Concept Application: Respond to a political scenario, explaining how it relates to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior (20 minutes. 12.5% of total score)
Quantitative Analysis: Analyze quantitative data, identify a trend or pattern, draw a conclusion for the visual representation, and explain how it relates to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior (20 minutes. 12.5% of total score)
SCOTUS Comparison: Compare a nonrequired Supreme Court case with a required Supreme Court case, explaining how information from the required case is relevant to that in the nonrequired one (20 minutes. 12.5% of total score)
Argument Essay: Develop an argument in the form of an essay, using evidence from one or more required foundational documents (40 minutes. 12.5% of total score)
The AP® exam covers 9 Documents and 14 Landmark Court Cases.
Required Foundational Documents
The Constitution of the United States (Including the Bill of Rights and following Amendments)
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Required Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Marbury v. Madison, 1803*
McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819*
Brown v. Board of Education, 1954*
Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963*
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 1969*
United States v. Lopez, 1995*
Baker v. Carr, 1961*
Engel v. Vitale, 1962*
Schenck v. United States, 1919*
McDonald v. Chicago, 2010*
Shaw v. Reno, 1993*
Wisconsin v. Yoder, 1972*