Understanding the FRQs &

Scoring for the AP US

Government Exam

Mrs. Dumerer
AP United States Government and Politics
Rockwall AP Super Saturday Sessions

Understanding the Scoring of the AP Government Exam

60 multiple choice questions

4 free response questions

45 minutes
100 minutes

50%
50%

Test is evenly divided between multiple choice and free

response.
Each essay is worth 12 % of test
MC= 60
FR= 60
Total=120
Example 2005 point division:
60 points for MC
Q#1=15 point
Q#1=5 point rubric= 5x3
Q#2=15 points
Q#5=6 point rubric=6x2.5
Q#3=15 points
Q#3=6 point rubric=6x2.5
Q#4=15 points
Q#4=6 point rubric=6x2.5
Total=120
Example 2001 exam
15=8x1.925
15=5x5
15=9x1.667
15=6x2.5
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The Essential Essay

Step 1: Plan-Pre-Write
2 minutes: Read question carefully
Think & organize ideas
[What does the question ask you to do?]
Underline/Circle the verbs
The essay requires you to DO various tasks.
Think of this as a recipe.
Instead of chopping, slicing, and dicing you
MUST:
IDENTIFY
DEFINE
DESCRIBE

EXPLAIN

COMPARE/CONTRAST
GIVE EXAMPLES

What does each mean? (Write what you would be expected to

do next to each term.)

EXPLANATION SHEET
So What Do They Mean?
IDENTIFY-name, classify, recognize the connection
DEFINE give information that tells what makes it what it
is
DESCRIBE-briefly tell what it is like, how it functions, what
happened or will occur
EXPLAIN-give information that tells how and/or why

COMPARE/CONTRAST-give similarities and differences; be

certain to follow directions as to numbers
GIVE EXAMPLES-specify a recent (post-1930s event,
situation, case, action, relevant detail
Step 2: AFTER THE VERBS: ATQA
ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED
Do not copy the question
Before writing, re-read the FRQ and check your notations
literally check the points in the prompt, especially numbers
Write your response in legible English
Avoid trying to impress
Clear straightforward language is better than using
vocabulary incorrectly
KNOW THY GOVERNMENT VOCABULARY AND USE IT
APPROPRIATELY

 Give only the history that is required by the question; this

is political science
Avoid editorializing or giving your opinions, stick to the task
If you do not know the official name of a case, uses the
information you do know, such as one of the parties involved,
the time period, the key constitutional issue
Even if they are not asked for, give examples
No THESIS, no conclusion: REPEAT This is not a history
essay!
Support your argument with proof in the form of facts,
data, or example; but keep them relevant
Step 4: PROOF READ what you have written
2 minutes-take the time to quickly read through what you
have written.
Insert words you may have omitted in the writing process
Add any details, names, laws, cases, periods you might now
remember
Move on to the next question!

FRQ Samples
Try these released Free Response Questions. Use the space below to
identify what you would include.
Question #1.
The power of the federal government relative to the power of the states has
increased since the ratification of the Constitution.
a.) Describe two of the following provisions of the
Constitution and explain how each has been used over time to
expand federal power.
i. The power to tax and spend.
ii. The necessary and proper or elastic clause.
iii. The commerce clause.
b.) Explain how one of the following has increased the
power of the federal government relative to the power of state
governments.
i.
ii.
iii.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Clean Air Act

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Question #2
The framers of the Constitution created a federal system.
a.) Define federalism.
b.) Select two of the following and explain how each has
been used to increase the power of the federal government relative
to the states.
i. Categorical grants.
ii. Federal mandates.
iii. Selective incorporation.
c.) Select two of the following and explain how each has
been used to increase the power of the states relative to the
federal government.
i. Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
ii. Block grants.
iii. Tenth Amendment.
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2001 Q # 1 FRQ
1. The United States Constitution has endured for more than two
centuries as the framework of government. However, the meaning
of the Constitution has been changed both by formal and informal
methods.
a. Identify two formal methods for adding amendments to the
Constitution.
b. Describe two informal methods that have been used to change
the meaning of the Constitution. Provide one specific example
for each informal method you described.
c. Explain why informal methods are used more often than formal
amendment process.
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FORMAL WAYS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION

1.
PROPOSAL- 2/3 VOTE OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS OR NATIONAL
CONVENTION Held at request of 2/3 of STATE LEGISLATURES
2.
RATIFICATION- 3/4 OF THE STATE LEGISLATURES OR 3/4 OF STATEWIDE POPULAR
ELECTIONS AS PRESCRIBED BY CONGRESS OR THE PROPOSING CONVENTION
a.
ratification of only 21st Amendment by popular conventions
INFORMAL WAYS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION (stretches the original intent)
1.
ACTIONS OF CONGRESS- PASSAGE OF LAWS
a.
Creation of the federal court system
b.
Creation of agencies and commissions
c.
Clarification of Enumerated and Implied Powers
2.
ACTIONS OF EXECUTIVE- DRAFTING EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS- FOREIGN AFFAIRS
a.
Compact between the President and another Head of State
b.
Power as Commander-in-Chief- use troops without Congressional approval
3.
ACTIONS OF THE COURTS- USE OF JUDICIAL REVIEW
a.
Hamilton- Federalist #78- clarifying the Judiciarys role in interpreting the Constitution
b.
Initial application with Marbury v. Madison
2001 AP FRQ RUBRIC
Part (a): 2 points (1 for each method identification)
Part (b): 4 points (1 for each description; 1 for each example)
Part (c): 2 points
Part (a): (1 point for each method identification; 2 points total)
Formal methods:
Methods of amendment must include one method of proposal and one method of ratification.
Methods of proposal:
By two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress
By national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds
of the state legislatures (never been used)
Methods of Ratification:
By legislatures in three-fourths of the states
By conventions in three-fourths of the states
Students do not have to give the exact fractions, as long as they understand that it is an extraordinary
majority and that it involves federalism.
Simple majority is not adequate.
Do not have to use exact terms (propose, ratify, supermajority, federalism).
Part (b): (1 point for each description of informal methods; 1 point for each example; 4 points total)
Informal methods may include:
Courts (judicial review/judicial interpretation/application)
Elastic clause
Development of political customs/traditions
The example chosen must be linked to the method described.
Part (c): (1 point for basic explanation; 1 point for elaboration; 2 points total)

Can get one point for a basic explanation. (i.e., its harder to amend formally)
Second point requires further elaboration
Score of zero (0) for attempted answer that earns no points
Score of dash () for blank

Vocab you may not know:

527's
Amicus Curiae Brief
Barron v. Baltimore (1833)
Blue Dog Democrat
Brown v. Board of Education 1955
Civil Liberties
Civil Rights
Closed Rule
Clothes Pin Vote
Command and Control Policy
Constitutional
Debt/Deficit
Demographic
Devolution
Earmarked Money
Efficacy
Elastic Clause
Entitlements
Extra-Constitutional
Formal
Gitlow v. N.Y. (1925)
Hyper Pluralism
Incorporation
Informal
Institutional
Iron Triangle
Issue Networks
Joint Resolution
Law of Unintended Consequences
Linkage
Litigation
Mandates
Motor Voter
Multiple Referral
Narrow Casting
Nimby
OMB-CBO
Open Primary
Pluralism
Pork Barrel
Prior Restraint
Push-polling
Realignment-De alignment
Selective Incorporation
SMPD Single Member Plurality District
Soft Money
Speech Obscenity Law

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TERM
Unfunded Mandates

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