ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ADVANCED

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS “The easiest 3 you will ever earn. ” Unless it isn’t anymore.

“But Mr. Woody, what is a 3 ? ” � � � � One college Political Science course at most major institutions. (Maybe not at some snobby places. ) About half of the possible points! Not as good as a 4 or 5 (Even most snobby places will take those. ) MUCH better than a 1 or 2 (Don’t even think 0 !)

“Please, tell me how to get a 5!” � First, you have a Syllabus… � http: //www. misterwoodynotebook. us � Find it on the Coursework Resources pages.

“Please, tell me how to get a 5!” � Second, you have a textbook… � READ, doggone you! � Pay special attention to the Learning Objectives at the end of each chapter.

“Please, tell me how to get a 5!” � Third, let’s learn the meaning of the word STUDY Review (rewrite? ) your notes regularly Take your notebook home every Tuesday & Friday night Make study aids to help you remember difficult stuff Pay attention to the tests and learn from them

“Please, tell me how to get a 5!” � Fourth, know what the test looks like… � This will be no problem, since every one of your tests will look like one! � There are only two elements…

Multiple Choice Questions v There are 55 Questions to answer in 80 Minutes. (Pace yourself at 87 Seconds per Question) v (That will leave you a little “buffer”) v (You will NEVER need this much time, but…) v v Questions are worth 50% of your total. v Get your College Vocabulary ready! v It‘s built by “Good” (and now “insane”) testmakers.

Multiple Choice Questions � Always 4 possible answers. � None � are “Mickey Mouse”. There are some tricky wordings… and now some tricky structures too. � Watch out for the word, “BEST”

Multiple Choice Questions � They are in random order of difficulty. � There is No Penalty for a wrong answer!

So, What’s My Strategy? � Read through every question at pace � Answer all the easy ones � Mark out incorrect answers immediately � Jot down any ideas you have in the margin � Underline key words (it’s a test booklet, not the Bible!) � Then, go get ‘em again!

So, What’s My Strategy? � On Graph Questions, read the Answers before you read the Questions! � Begin by asking yourself, “What exactly DOES the chart tell me? ” � Look at the legend/axes � If it’s not about actions, the answer can’t be about actions

Free-Response Questions (FRQs) � Four Types of Questions �Concept Application �Quantitative Analysis �SCOTUS Comparison �Argument Essay

So, What’s My Strategy on FRQs? � Each of them count as 12. 5% � 3 of these are NOT an Essay! �“Answer the Question!” More is not always better � Stay on Pace. (20, 20, 40) � READ. UNDERLINE. PLAN.

What’s My Strategy on FRQs? � Look for the Key Words: �Define �Identify �Describe �Explain “Why…” leads to “because…” “How…” leads to “by…” �Compare (which implies Contrast)

What’s My Strategy on FRQs? � Things to Avoid: �Slang �Name-Dropping �Data-Dumping �Editorials �even Patriotism

What’s My Strategy on FRQs? � Things to DO: �Use a Black Pen �Be Legible �Be sure how many parts are in the Question �Use your context vocabulary �More examples are OK � Answer the Question!

AP US G&P Exam Now you have a chance!