AP US Government and Politics practice test
Practice questions for all five AP US Government and Politics units: foundations, the three branches, civil liberties and civil rights, political beliefs, and participation. Includes questions on the required Supreme Court cases and foundational documents.
Question 1 of 22
In Federalist No. 10, how does James Madison argue the dangers of factions are best controlled?
Question 2 of 22
Which was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Question 3 of 22
Brutus No. 1, an Anti-Federalist paper, argued that
Question 4 of 22
In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the Supreme Court ruled that
Question 5 of 22
The power to tax, held by both the national and state governments, is an example of a(n)
Question 6 of 22
Which power belongs to the Senate but not the House?
Question 7 of 22
How many votes does the Senate need to invoke cloture and end a filibuster on most legislation?
Question 8 of 22
Which case established the principle of judicial review?
Question 9 of 22
A president directs federal agencies how to carry out a law without new legislation from Congress. This is a(n)
Question 10 of 22
An iron triangle is a stable relationship among
Question 11 of 22
In Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), the Supreme Court ruled that
Question 12 of 22
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) guaranteed
Question 13 of 22
Selective incorporation is the process of
Question 14 of 22
Engel v. Vitale (1962) held that
Question 15 of 22
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine from
Question 16 of 22
Which agent of political socialization usually has the strongest early influence on a person's political views?
Question 17 of 22
Compared with conservatives, liberals are generally more likely to support
Question 18 of 22
Why do reliable public opinion polls use random sampling?
Question 19 of 22
Which of these is a linkage institution?
Question 20 of 22
Citizens United v. FEC (2010) held that
Question 21 of 22
Which is an advantage that helps incumbents win reelection to Congress?
Question 22 of 22
Drawing district lines to favor one political party is called
AP US Government and Politics key terms
Flip through these flashcards to review the terms that come up most often. Use the arrow keys or click a card to flip it.
| Federalist No. 10 | Madison: a large republic controls the effects of factions. |
| Federalist No. 51 | Madison: separation of powers and checks and balances keep any branch from becoming too powerful. |
| Brutus No. 1 | Anti-Federalist essay warning that a strong national government and large republic would threaten liberty. |
| McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) | Implied powers (necessary and proper clause) and federal supremacy. |
| Marbury v. Madison (1803) | Established judicial review. |
| United States v. Lopez (1995) | Limited Congress's commerce clause power: guns near schools are not interstate commerce. |
| Schenck v. United States (1919) | Speech creating a 'clear and present danger' can be limited. |
| Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) | Students' symbolic speech is protected unless it substantially disrupts school. |
| Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) | States must provide a lawyer to felony defendants who can't afford one. |
| Brown v. Board of Education (1954) | Segregated public schools violate equal protection. |
| Baker v. Carr (1962) | Redistricting questions can be decided by federal courts; 'one person, one vote.' |
| Citizens United v. FEC (2010) | Independent political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech. |
| Selective incorporation | Applying the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause. |
| Linkage institutions | Parties, interest groups, elections and the media, which connect citizens to government. |
See all 14 cards
Federalist No. 10Madison: a large republic controls the effects of factions.
Federalist No. 51Madison: separation of powers and checks and balances keep any branch from becoming too powerful.
Brutus No. 1Anti-Federalist essay warning that a strong national government and large republic would threaten liberty.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)Implied powers (necessary and proper clause) and federal supremacy.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)Established judicial review.
United States v. Lopez (1995)Limited Congress's commerce clause power: guns near schools are not interstate commerce.
Schenck v. United States (1919)Speech creating a 'clear and present danger' can be limited.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)Students' symbolic speech is protected unless it substantially disrupts school.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)States must provide a lawyer to felony defendants who can't afford one.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)Segregated public schools violate equal protection.
Baker v. Carr (1962)Redistricting questions can be decided by federal courts; 'one person, one vote.'
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)Independent political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech.
Selective incorporationApplying the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause.
Linkage institutionsParties, interest groups, elections and the media, which connect citizens to government.
About the AP US Government and Politics exam
- Section I: 55 multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes, 50% of the score. Many are set-based, built on a chart, text or image.
- Section II: 4 free-response questions in 100 minutes, 50% of the score: concept application, quantitative analysis, SCOTUS comparison and an argument essay.
- Know the required Supreme Court cases and foundational documents well; the SCOTUS comparison and argument essay depend on them.
Questions
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