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Format

3 hours long and has two sections

multiple choice
free-response.

Measures your understanding of required content. You’ll need to define, compare, explain, and interpret political concepts, policies, processes, perspectives, and behaviors that characterize the U.S. political system.

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Multiple Choice

55 Questions

1 Hour & 20 Minutes

50% of Exam Score

This section requires:

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
Concept Application: Explanation of the application of political concepts in context
Comparison: Explanation of the similarities and differences of political concepts
Knowledge: Identification and definition of political principles, institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors

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Free Response Questions

4 Questions

1 Hour & 40 Minutes

50% of Exam Score

Concept Application: You’ll respond to a political scenario, explaining how it relates to a political principle, institution, process, policy, or behavior
Quantitative Analysis: You’ll 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
SCOTUS Comparison: You’ll 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
Argument Essay: You’ll develop an argument in the form of an essay, using evidence from one or more required foundational documents

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The Format is 100% Predictable

QUESTION #1: Will ALWAYS involve content application and will ALWAYS be worth 3 points.
QUESTION #2: Will ALWAYS involve quantitative analysis of a graph, histogram, etc. and will ALWAYS be worth 4 points.
QUESTION #3: Will ALWAYS involve the analysis of SCOTUS cases and will ALWAYS be worth 4 points.
QUESTION #4: Will ALWAYS be an argumentative “essay” and will ALWAYS be worth 6 points.

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Tips to Increase Success on the Argumentative Essay (FRQ #4)

This is NOT a standard 5 paragraph essay - You will have 3 paragraphs…Component #1 will be your first paragraph; Components #2 and #3 will be included in your second paragraph; and Component #4 will be addressed in your third paragraph.
This essay is less about content and more about SUPPORTING your claim/thesis with FACTUAL EVIDENCE and SOLID REASONING.
There are 4 components to the essay

Creating your “CLAIM” or “THESIS”
Supporting your claim or thesis with EVIDENCE
Providing the REASONING for your claim or thesis.
Providing a quality response to an opposing or alternative perspective.

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PARAGRAPH 1�The “CLAIM” or “THESIS”

This first component to your essay is critical. IF YOU DON’T “ACCURATELY ARTICULATE A DEFENSIBLE CLAIM OR THESIS THAT ESTABLISHES A LINE OF REASONING”, YOU CAN ONLY EARN A MAXIMUM OF 1 POINT OUT OF 6. (Do the math… this will lower your over grade by roughly 10%)

You can VASTLY increase the chances for success on your claim or thesis by including the following in your opening sentence or two:

Include the word “because” in your claim. For our purposes this will be a requirement.
Include a definition of any political terminology relevant to your claim or thesis. For our purposes this will, again, be a requirement.

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PARAGRAPH 2�Evidence and Reasoning (paragraph #2)

EVIDENCE – 3 POINTS – Provide evidence that is SPECIFIC and RELEVANT to your claim/thesis.

IN PARAGAPH #2:

You will be required to provide 2 pieces of “EVIDENCE” to support your claim/thesis in paragraph #2. The first will be chosen from a provided list. The second piece of evidence will be more of your choosing with some requirements coming from the directions.
Evidence #1 is worth 2 points. One point will be earned if the DESCRIPTION of the required evidence from the list is accurate and complete. Another point will be earned if the evidence from the list is LINKED BACK to the claim/thesis made in paragraph one.
Evidence #2 is worth one point. A point is earned in this part if the DESCRIPTION of the evidence you choose is accurate and complete AND is sufficiently LINKED BACK to the claim/thesis made in paragraph one.
For specificity purposes, I REQUIRE that this paragraph includes, “The first piece of evidence is…” and, …“The second piece of evidence is…”
HUGE TIP: In this paragraph, “IDENTIFY, DESCRIBE, and LINK IT BACK” should be an integral part of your thinking, organizing and writing.

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PARAGRAPH 2�Evidence and Reasoning (paragraph #2)�(Cont.)

REASONING – Use reasoning to explain HOW the evidence supports the claim/thesis. 1 point

Reasoning is worth 1 point and can be earned most easily by placing your line of reasoning (in as little as one sentence) as your LAST sentence in paragraph #2.
Your reasoning should address: because/why, cause/effect, compare/contrast, etc. from the evidence earlier in the paragraph. Remember, to LINK THE REASONING BACK to the claim/thesis in your writing to increase the chances that you have stayed on task and will earn the point for the reasoning component of the FRQ.

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PARAGRAPH 3�Rebuttal/ Refutation

Rebuttal/ Refutation – 1 point – respond to an opposing or alternative perspective using refutation, concession, or rebuttal.
In order to earn the point for this portion, you must demonstrate a correct understanding of the perspective and then refute or rebut the perspective.

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No, No’s

NEVER say, “I think….” or “I feel”
No double-dipping
No pronouns
No “government”
No “politicians”
Local/State governments examples MUST be linked to Federal government.

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