Top
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction: The Five-Step Program
STEP 1 Set Up Your Study Program
1 What You Need to Know About the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam
Background of the Advanced Placement Program
The New AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam
Frequently Asked Questions About the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam
2 How to Plan Your Time
Three Approaches to Preparing for the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam
STEP 2 Determine Your Test Readiness
3 Take a Diagnostic Exam
AP U.S. Government and Politics Diagnostic Exam
Answer Key for Multiple-Choice Questions
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions
Scoring the Free-Response Questions
Score Conversion Worksheet
STEP 3 Develop Strategies for Success
4 Section I of the Exam: How to Approach the Multiple-Choice Questions
Introduction to the Multiple-Choice Section of the Exam
Types of Multiple-Choice Questions
Strategies for Answering the Multiple-Choice Questions
5 Section II of the Exam: How to Approach the Free-Response Questions
Introduction to the Free-Response Questions
How Do I Prepare for the Free-Response Questions?
Types of Free-Response Questions Prompts
Developing the Free-Response Answers
Scoring the Free-Response Answers
STEP 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High
UNIT 1 Foundations of American Democracy
6 Constitutional Foundations
Principles of Government
Origins of American Government
The United States Constitution
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
7 Federalism
The Constitutional Basis of Federalism
Federalism in Practice
Establishing National Supremacy
Federalism Today
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
UNIT 2 Interactions Among Branches of Government
8 The Legislative Branch
Structure of Congress
Organization of Congress
Election to Congress
Leadership of Congress
The Committee System
Congressional Staff and Support
Roles of Members of Congress
Privileges of Members of Congress
Powers of Congress
The Lawmaking Process
Legislative Tactics
Influences on Congress
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
9 The Executive Branch and the Bureaucracy
Constitutional Origins of the Presidency
The Road to the White House
The Vice Presidency
Presidential Powers
Limitations on Presidential Powers
Presidential Character
The Bureaucracy
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Executive Departments
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
10 The National Judiciary
The Federal Court System
Structure of the Judicial System
Judicial Selection
The Court at Work
Courts as Policymakers
Judicial Philosophy
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
UNIT 3 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
11 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Civil Liberties
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Assembly and Petition
Property Rights
Right to Privacy
Rights of the Accused
Civil Rights
The Civil Rights Movement
Other Minorities
Affirmative Action
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
UNIT 4 American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
12 Political Socialization, Ideology, and Public Opinion
Core Political Values
Political Socialization
Public Opinion
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
UNIT 5 Political Participation
13 Campaigns, Elections, and Voting
Participation and Voting
Types of Elections
Campaign Finance
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
14 Political Parties
Roles of Political Parties
Party Systems
What Do Political Parties Do?
Party Identification and Membership
The Two-Party Tradition in America
Third or Minor Parties
Structure and Organization of Political Parties
Future of Political Parties
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
15 Interest Groups and the Mass Media
Interest Groups
Mass Media
Biases in the Media
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
UNIT 6 Pulling It All Together: Public Policy
16 Politics and Public Policymaking
The Policymaking Process
Domestic Policy
Economic Policy
Foreign and Defense Policy
Review Questions
Answers and Explanations
Rapid Review
STEP 5 Build Your Test-Taking Confidence
AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 1
Answer Key for Multiple-Choice Questions
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions
Scoring the Free-Response Questions
Score Conversion Worksheet
AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 2
Answer Key for Multiple-Choice Questions
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions
Scoring the Free-Response Questions
Score Conversion Worksheet
AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 3
Answer Key for Multiple-Choice Questions
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions
Scoring the Free-Response Questions
Score Conversion Worksheet
AP U.S. Government and Politics Practice Exam 4
Answer Key for Multiple-Choice Questions
Answers and Explanations for the Multiple-Choice Questions
Scoring the Free-Response Questions
Score Conversion Worksheet
Appendixes
Websites Related to the Advanced Placement Exam
Glossary of Terms
