AP US Government and Politics exam-day guide
AP US Government and Politics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID
Bring a current, valid government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license or passport). Confirm with the testing provider which forms of ID are accepted at your specific test site.
Admission ticket / registration confirmation
Print or save your exam registration confirmation. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is acceptable.
Two No. 2 pencils and an eraser
The multiple-choice section is completed on a bubble answer sheet, so bring several sharpened No. 2 wooden pencils and a soft eraser. Mechanical pencils may be restricted-confirm with the provider.
Two black or dark-blue pens
The free-response section is typically handwritten in pen. Bring two pens in case one fails.
Approved calculator
AP US Government and Politics does not require a calculator; leave graphing calculators at home unless the provider states otherwise.
Analog watch (no smart features)
A simple watch helps you pace the sections. Smartwatches and phones are not permitted at the desk.
Water and a light snack
Bring a sealed water bottle and a snack for the break. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk or only during the break.
Know your testing location and arrival time
Look up the exact room and required arrival time the day before. Arrive early; late arrivals may be denied entry. Confirm the arrival cutoff with the provider.
Review the exam structure
Know that Section I is multiple choice (60 questions, 80 minutes, 50% of score) and Section II is free response (4 questions, 100 minutes, 50% of score). Confirm current timing with the provider, as formats can change.
Review the required Supreme Court cases and foundational documents
Be able to connect at least nine required Supreme Court cases and the core founding documents (e.g., Federalist No. 10, Federalist No. 51, Brutus No. 1, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence) to course concepts.
Practice a timed free-response set
Complete at least one full timed FRQ set under exam conditions, including one concept-application, one quantitative-analysis, one SCOTUS-comparison, and one argument essay.
Sleep and logistics plan
Plan transportation, set two alarms, and prioritize sleep the night before. Cramming the morning of the exam is lower value than arriving calm and rested.
Plan the day
Take one full-length timed practice exam (both sections) to build stamina and identify weak units. Review your error log, not just your score.
Re-read your one-page summaries of the required Supreme Court cases and foundational documents, focusing on holdings and the principles they illustrate.
Drill the FRQ task verbs: identify, describe, explain, compare, and analyze. Practice writing responses that directly answer the prompt with specific evidence.
Do a light review only: skim your notes, case chart, and vocabulary. Avoid learning new material.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pencils, pens, watch, water, and snack. Lay out clothes and confirm transportation and arrival time.
Get a full night of sleep. Set two alarms and stop studying at least an hour before bed.
Eat a real breakfast, hydrate, and arrive at the testing site early. Leave your phone and smartwatch stowed per the provider's rules.
Pace the 60 multiple-choice questions at roughly 80 seconds each. Answer every question-there is no penalty for guessing. Flag and return to hard items only if time allows.
Budget about 25 minutes per FRQ. Read each prompt twice, underline the task verbs, and outline briefly before writing. For the argument essay, take a clear position and support it with specific evidence, including a required document or case where asked.
Use the break to hydrate and reset. Do not discuss questions with other test-takers, and do not try to cram new content.
Reserve the last few minutes to check that every bubble is filled and every FRQ has a complete response to each part of the prompt.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID as specified by the testing provider; candidates without acceptable ID may be turned away. Confirm the exact ID policy with the provider.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be powered off and stored away from your desk during testing. Unauthorized devices can result in score cancellation.
Follow all proctor instructions about timing, breaks, and materials. Breaks are typically scheduled between sections; confirm break policy with the provider.
Do not communicate with other test-takers about exam content during or after the test, and do not attempt to record or share questions.
Scoring: each section is worth 50% of the final score. Multiple-choice questions are scored right-only (no penalty for wrong answers), and free-response answers are scored against a rubric, so answer every part of every prompt.
Use only approved materials at your desk. Scratch paper, notes, and textbooks are not permitted during the exam unless the provider explicitly allows them.
If you must leave the room, raise your hand and follow proctor instructions; the clock generally does not stop. Confirm the specific policy with the provider.
Report any testing irregularity (e.g., disruptive behavior or a timing error) to the proctor immediately and note it for your records.