THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS • THERE ARE 60 QUESTIONS IN 45 MINUTES • THERE ARE 5 CHOICES • EVERY BLANK ANSWER COUNTS OFF 0 POINTS • EVERY CORRECT ANSWER COUNTS AS ONE POINT

2. Update • Beginning with the May 2011 AP Exam administration, total scores on the multiple-choice section will be based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points will no longer be deducted for incorrect answers and, as always, no points will be awarded for unansweredquestions.

3. STUDENTS SHOULD GO THROUGH THE EXAM ONCE AND ANSWER WHAT THEY KNOW

4. EXAM STRUCTURE • the M/C test is finalized in the fall-winter • the M/C test is divided as follows:::: • 6 questions—constitutional underpinnings • 7 questions—political beliefs and behavior • 6-7 questions –parties, groups, media • 27 questions the four institutions • 6 questions on policy • 7 questions on rights and liberties

5. THE FREE RESPONSE QUESTIONS • The questions are task based • The total time for the essay questions is 100 minutes • Students should bring a watch to monitor their own time • Students should NOT spend more than 25 minutes per question • Students should answer the easiest question first the most difficult last

6. There will be no more credit than the maximum allowed-------students should not waste time doing more than what is required • Keep writing---no points are deducted for wrong information unless there is a direct contradiction with a correct response, if so, no points are added • only points are ADDED for correct answers • break the question down into its constituent parts i.e. part A; part B and delineate each

7. The free response questions are worth 50% of the exam. • Each question is equal in value, worth 25% of 50% of the exam. • Each question is graded using a scale appropriate for the number of parts to the question; usually 6 to 8 points. • An average response should be about 1-11/2 pages long. • Some answers can be a sentence. • Some questions are definitions with other parts asking for examples or applications • A list might be asked for

8. DO NOT write a thesis statement unless it is required • Outline the answer, if necessary, to keep thoughts together and logical • DO NOT EDITORIALIZE—NO ONE CARES IF THE STUDENT AGREES WITH OR LIKES THE PRESIDENT OR ANYONE ELSE • STUDENTS SHOULD NOT TELL THE READER THAT THEY ARE A LIBERAL ORCONSERVATIVE AND HOW GOOD THAT IS-- NO ONE CARES

9. DO NOT TELL THE READER THAT YOU AGREE WITH A POSITION • DO NOT USE LOCAL OR STATE POLITICS AS AN EXAMPLE • Students should use contemporary examples if requested to answer the question. Students should read the newspaper or read the newspapers on the net---NY TIMES, WASHINGTON POST—sorry the local newspaper won’t do • Responses should be very specific.

10. use substantive examples and analysis------ • link examples to the point being made • on graph and data questions make sure that the trend discussed is provable in the graph • ALL DATA QUESTIONS ARE LOOKING FOR LONG TERM TRENDS • TREND TREND TREND TREND TREND

11. NEVER use numbers to explain a graph, ex. In data spanning 50 years; in the year 1984 the winner received 12% more votes than the loser. • Lists, bullets and phrases MIGHT be an appropriate style to use in an answer but only if appropriate. • If they ask for a list only then do you use one. • Normal responses require complete sentences • no outlines as answers unless they ask for one-they won’t

12. no name dropping—students don’t know how to do it—it just aggravates the readers i.e. According to Wilson, blah, blah….If it is an authority in the field that would be OK. i.e. V.O. Key Jr. (Critical Election)

13. NO highlighting or underlining important ideas or points—it’s distracting (and makes the writer look like an amateur, make the readers work for their money. • write or print legibly; however, there is always someone who can read any kind of handwriting or language, use English. • no jokes • no cartoons • no teacher and class evaluations—if you don’t know it you don’t have to tell the reader they’ll get it by giving you no points

14. Students can get a 0 score • Students should not write illogically such as making a conclusion which contradicts everything you wrote—hello?????? • DON’T WRITE STUPID STATEMENTS • Don’t data dump; i.e. students write lots of information and DO NOT link it to the point……ask yourself why am I writing this? What is the consequence of this information?

15. If there are legal cases to discuss in a free response question; • don’t give long explanations of background-----NO ONE CARES! • what was the ruling in the case---the legal answer to the legal question. Marbury v Madison the Supremes cannot be given the power to issue writs of mandamus by the congress

16. what effect did the case have? Marbury v Madison established judicial review of federal law • In Brown v Bd Ed no one cares about the 7 students; what matters is the principle of racial classification causing inherent inferiority thus segregation violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment

17. AP Gov’t Test • AP Gov’t Test – Tuesday, May 15th • We will meet before • You will receive a review packet and book • AP Scores • 2011 OMHS pass rate – 67% • 2011 National – 52% • 2010 – 73% • 2010 National – 51%