Social Studies: Geography, History, Civics, and Economics
The Social Studies domain covers geography, history, civics and government, and economics. Items use maps, timelines, charts, and short source excerpts to test application of concepts.
Core rules and concepts
- Map skills: latitude lines run east-west and measure north-south position; longitude lines run north-south and measure east-west position. Use the legend, scale, and compass rose.
- History: place events in chronological order, identify cause and effect, and distinguish primary sources (created by participants or witnesses) from secondary sources (interpretations written later).
- Civics: the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws. Checks and balances let each branch limit the others; federalism divides power between national and state governments.
- Economics: scarcity forces choices; opportunity cost is the next best alternative given up; supply and demand affect price; producers and consumers interact in markets.
Worked example
Congress passes a law, and the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional. Which principle is shown? Reasoning: The Court is checking the legislative branch by reviewing the law's constitutionality. This is judicial review within the system of checks and balances.
Traps that cost marks
Swapping latitude and longitude; treating a later textbook account as a primary source; mixing up the three branches; ignoring map scale; and calling any cost an opportunity cost when it is only a payment.
Key points
Use map tools and source dates to anchor each question.