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The FRQ:

The FRQ: . Advice from an AP Reader. The FRQ (free response question) section of the exam is made up of 4 questions. You must answer all 4 questions. There is no option to choose. This part of the exam is taken second, after the multiple choice.

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The FRQ:

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  1. The FRQ: Advice from an AP Reader

  2. The FRQ (free response question) section of the exam is made up of 4 questions. • You must answer all 4 questions. There is no option to choose. • This part of the exam is taken second, after the multiple choice. • Your score on the FRQ section is worth 50% of the exam score. • Each of the FRQs are scored separately and they are not worth the same amount of points, however they are all weighted the same. (each is 25% of that half of the exam grade). • For example, the first FRQ might be scored out of 5 points and the next out of 7 or 8. This doesn’t mean that question is worth more points, it’s just scored using a different scale. The Basics

  3. The question will always start out with a “stem” of factual information. • You will then be asked to complete several tasks. • A typical question has 3-5 parts. • Pay attention to the “action” words in the question. Circle them so you don’t forget what the question asks you to do. • The questions typically ask you to do the following: list, explain, define, describe, evaluate. • Listing or defining is typically worth one point while an explain or evaluate is worth two. • Sometimes the points are linked—you can’t get the second explain point if you incorrectly define something. Question Structure

  4. List: don’t complicate this. Just make a list and move on. Give more than is asked for if you can. (spare tire!) • Define: tell what something is. Give more detail than you think you need to. This is usually where more is better. • Describe. Tell about something. This is NOT the same thing as defining. Give additional details and use examples! • Explain: tell the why and how and so what of something. Be sure you ask yourself those questions and that your response answers them! • Evaluate/assess: tell how well something meets a standard. Give the pros/cons/good/bad of something and tell which is better AND why. • Do what you are asked to do; no more and no less. These are not essays, but you have time to write well developed sentences that convey complete thoughts! Reviewing the “action” or “task” words

  5. Remember that the FRQ is NOT an essay. • Don’t write a thesis statement, a conclusion, or an introduction. This will only cost you time and could potentially distract you, making you think you’ve answered part of the question when you really haven’t. • Structure your answer the same way the question is structured. If part a says to list three things, list them and label it a. Then move on to part b and so forth. • So your answer is in complete sentences, but is written in outline form. • Save your feelings, emotions and opinions for debate class. The College Board will never ask a question for which your opinion will earn you points. Strategies for answering an FRQ

  6. If you are given a specific number of things to list, explain, describe, etc., always do one more than what is asked for. This is your “spare tire”. • You can answer the questions in any order you want, so play to your strengths and do the ones you feel best about first. • Outline your answer before you write it and be sure to set up your outline the way the question is structured. This is backup in case you run out of time. You can get points from just an outline! Strategies continued

  7. You are only given points for correct responses, not penalized for incorrect information. (unless there’s a “fatal flaw”) • This means it is always a good idea to guess. • Never leave a question or part of a question blank. This will definitely cost you points but an attempt might pick up a point or two. About how an FRQ is scored

  8. Panic is totally normal when you first read the questions. Read all four, then read them again. • Then choose the one that seems the easiest or that you feel most comfortable with and get started! • Circle your action/task words and start outlining. • Don’t forget to monitor your time. 25 minutes each is what’s recommended but it’s up to you to monitor that. Final Thoughts

  9. Let’s practice writing a FRQ that has nothing to do with what you know about government. • This will help you focus on breaking down the tasks and how to structure your answer. Practice FRQ

  10. Although Anytown High is a large school, there are many extracurricular activities in which students can choose to participate. A) Identify three extracurricular activities at Anytown High School. B) For two of the activities you listed in A, explain the primary function of the organization/club. C) Evaluate how these organizations contribute to the mission statement of the school, which is to “Ensure success for all students, both inside and outside of the classroom.” Practice FRQ

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