AP Government Test Review & Procedures

1. AP Government Test Review & Procedures

2. Scoring • 120 points total • 90-120 75% 5 • 75-89 62% 4 • 60-74 50% 3 • 36-59 30% 2 • 0-35 29% 1

3. Curriculum Outline • Constitution & Federalism 5-15% • Political Beliefs & Public Opinion, & Voting 10-20% • Parties, Interest Groups, Media 10-20% • 3 Branches of Govt. and Bureaucracy 35-45% • Public Policy & The Budget 5-15% • Civil Liberties & Civil Rights 5-15%

4. Multiple Choice • 60 Questions – 1 point each • 45 Minutes • 50% of total Test grade • No penalty for wrong answers (OK to guess)

5. Free Response • 4 Free Response Questions • Each worth 15 points • 100 Minutes Total • 25 minutes for each question • 50% of grade • Do not write a thesis • Answer question clearly and directly • You can add a “spare tire” • If the question asks for two examples or reasons you can give 3 • The reader is required to read all of them and give credit for the best 2

6. Free Response • 1. Read the ENTIRE Question Carefully. If the question is split up, answer it in the same manner (ex. Question A, Question B, etc...) • 2. Make sure you directly answer the question asked. If the question asks for Multiple Answers then GIVE multiple answers /examples, characteristics, etc... • 3. Don't cater to only one ideology or philosophy. Just answer the question. • 4. Be to the POINT and CONCISE-don't get lost in the words (Usually 1 page is enough!) • 5. Think back to the Multiple Choice Part- was there anything in there you can use? • 6. Answer EVERY Question and completely as possible. DO NOT Give up on any question You may score a few points for trying! (Use the Spare Tire if needed!) • 7. Black INK is easiest for Readers to read your essay! No pencils please.

7. The Incumbency Advantage • Single most important factor in determining the outcome of congressional elections • Pork barrel • Franking privilege • gerrymandering

8. Federalism • Power divided between central governments and regional governments • Federal government prevails when there is conflict • Necessary & Proper clause • Commerce clause • Federal mandates • All have increased the power of the Federal government relative to the states • Process of Amending the Constitution illustrates structure of American Government

9. Selection of Supreme Court Justices • By President • w/ majority vote of Senate • Judicial Restraint • Use framers of the Constitutions'’ original intent when deciding cases • Judicial Activism • Supreme Court must correct injustices when other branches fail to do so

10. The Electoral College • President not elected directly by people • Must receive majority of electoral votes • Winner Take All System • Candidate who wins a plurality of votes get all state’s electoral votes • Difficult for 3rd Parties • If there is a tie • House decides the President

11. African American Voting Patterns • Vote predominantly democratic • Support more liberal candidates

12. Voter Turnout • U.S. is lower than most Western democracies • Majority don’t vote in nonpresidential elections • More education = More voting • More income = More voting • Older = More Voting • Women vote more than men

13. Divided Government • President & Congress from different parties • Slows legislative process • More partisanship • President can use media to gain support

14. The Veto Power • President can Veto a bill • Congress can over ride 2/3rds vote • Pocket Veto • Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill and President does nothing • Line Item Veto • Ruled unconstitutional

15. President & Cabinet • President appoints Cabinet • Need consent of Senate • Pres. Can fire Cabinet w/o consent • Divided Loyalties • Loyal to goals of their department • Often difficulty in controlling Cabinet • Form Iron Triangles with interest groups & congressional committees

16. The Federalist Papers • Federalist 10 • Madison • Political factions undesirable but inevitable • A large republic would fragment political power and curb the threat posed by factions

17. 14th Amendment & Selective Incorporation • Made African Americans citizens • Voided Dred Scot decision • Due Process Clause • Forbids states from acting in an unfair way • Equal Protection Clause • Forbids a state from discriminating against or drawing unreasonable distinctions between persons • Selective Incorporation • Uses 14th Amendment to extend most of the Bill or Rights to states

18. Political Socialization • Political values are formed and passed from one generation the next • Family is the most important agent

19. Critical Election • When groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty • Triggers party realignment

20. Selection of Supreme Court Cases • Nearly all cases reach S.C. by a writ of certiorari • Rule of Four • Refuses to hear most lower court appeals

21. The Mass Media • Affects which issues public things are important • Horse Race Journalism • Media focuses on polls, personalities, and sound bits • Instead of key issues

22. Articles of Confederation • Weak central government that had limited power over the states • Created a unicameral Congress • Lacked power to levy taxes or regulate interstate trade

23. The Role of State Legislatures • In the Original Constitution • Chose U.S. Senators • Change with 17th Amendment • Now elected by the people of each state • State Legislatures • Determine boundary lines of congressional districts • State Legislature • Ratify amendments by a 3/4ths vote of the states