Lecture Notes: Prepping for the AP Government Exam

Introduction

• Key focus on preparing for the AP Government exam.
• Importance of knowing foundational documents and Supreme Court cases.
• Marks Education offers tips and tutoring resources.

Exam Format

• Date: Tuesday, May 6th.

Section 1: Multiple Choice

• Questions: 55 questions in 80 minutes.
• Weight: 50% of the total score.
• Question Types:
  • Individual questions.
  • Grouped questions with shared stimulus (graphs, quotes, maps, etc.).

Section 2: Free Response

• Questions: 4 questions in 100 minutes.
• Weight: 50% of the total score.
• Question Types:
  • Concept Application.
  • Quantitative Analysis.
  • SCOTUS Comparison.
  • Argument Essay.

Key Preparation Areas

1. Know the Foundational Documents

• Documents to Know:
  • Federalist 10: Factions and large republics.
  • Brutus 1: Concerns over strong federal government.
  • Declaration of Independence: Natural rights and grievances.
  • Articles of Confederation: Weak central government.
  • The Constitution, including Bill of Rights: Strong federal government and amendments.
  • Federalist 51: Separation of powers.
  • MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail: Nonviolent resistance.
  • Federalist 70 & 78: Executive power and judiciary.

2. Know the Required Supreme Court Cases

• Cases to Know:
  • Marbury v Madison: Judicial review.
  • McCulloch v Maryland: Federal power over states.
  • US v Lopez: Limits of the Commerce Clause.
  • Engel v Vitale: Religion in schools.
  • Wisconsin v Yoder: Free Exercise Clause.
  • Others include Tinker v Des Moines, New York Times v US, Schenck v US, and more.

3. Understanding the Three Branches of Government

• Key Structures and Powers:
  • Congress, President, and the Supreme Court.
  • Federal bureaucracy roles.

4. Practice Questions

• Importance: Get familiar with the format and identify weak areas.
• Resources:
  • Practice exams and free response questions available online.
  • College Board resources for scoring guidelines and sample responses.

Study Tips

• Start studying at least a month in advance.
• Utilize resources like flashcards and Quizlet for memorization.

Additional Resources

• Marks Education provides tutoring and counseling services.
  • Experienced tutors: Ryan Blodgett, Sarah Newport, Michael Lawrence.
  • Contact Marks Education for more information or tutoring support.

Conclusion

• The AP Government exam requires thorough preparation and understanding of documents and cases.
• Practice and early preparation are key to success.