Sprint to the Finish Review Strategies for the

Sprint to the Finish – Review Strategies for the AP U. S. Government Exam

About Me • Has taught in inner city, large suburban, and small private schools • Teacher at Holy Family High School • AP US Government teacher for more than 20 years • Member of the curriculum redesign committee for 6 years • AP US Government Reader for 7 years • Current Exam leader for AP Comparative Government • Consultant for both AP US and AP Comparative Government

About Me • • • Has taught in a variety of schools including inner city middle school and suburban high school Teacher at Cherry Creek High School AP U. S. and Comparative Government AP Exam Question Leader, U. S. Government Former Chair, AP U. S. Government Test Development Committee Author, Teacher’s Edition to accompany American Government: Stories of a Nation for the AP Course

American Government: Stories of a Nation for the AP Course

How to organize your review ● ● ● You may review units in any order. The largest percentage of questions comes from Unit 2, consider reviewing it last. Consider skipping most recently taught unit. Students can take “unprotected” practice tests at home. Consider devoting one review session to the Foundational Documents and one to Required Supreme Court cases (or give students a quiz).

Finding Time to Review • • • Review during the two week period leading up to the exam. • Finish review before AP exams start. Review for semester-long courses most likely will have to be done outside of class. • During lunch • During access/home room/study hall • After school • Saturday sessions • Virtual sessions Year-long courses • During class, plan for this ahead of time.

Using the Essential Knowledge (EK) column • If it is in the EK column - it is fair game for a question.

Using the Essential Knowledge (EK) column ● If it is in the EK column - it is fair game for a question.

Using the Essential Knowledge (EK) column ● If it is in the EK column - it is fair game for a question.

How to use the EK column to review ● ● Assign students different EKs to develop their own questions and quiz each other. Create a class Google Presentation (maybe a Quizlet) to present a review of each EK. Have students create EK Flash Cards. Test key vocabulary from the EK column. ○ We have provided a full vocabulary list, as well as tests and keys for each unit.

Strategies for Multiple-choice ● Strategies for “set” questions: ○ Read the text/infographic carefully. ○ Pay attention to labels, axes, source notes. ○ The first question in the set is usually simple comprehension. ○ Additional questions in the set are application and/or analysis.

Strategies for multiple choice ● Strategies for grid questions ○ Read down the 1 st column and eliminate wrong answers. ○ Read down the 2 nd column and eliminate wrong answers. ○ There should be only 1 choice left, BUT if there is more than one, make sure the pairing is correct.

Example of a Grid Question

Free-Response Question 1–Scenario ● ● ● Read the scenario carefully. Read the prompts carefully. All FRQs are weighted equally in a student’s final score. ● Do not underestimate the importance of the scenario question as it is a way to earn easy points.

Free-Response Question 1–Scenario

Free-Response Question 2–Quantitative Analysis • • Read the title of the graphic. Read the axes. Pay attention to key notes. Look for trends/patterns in data.

Free-Response Question 3–SCOTUS Comparison ● ● ● Students should memorize the facts, issue, holding/decision, and rational for each required case. Students should memorize the constitutional clause(s) at issue in each required case. Don’t play guessing games with the non-required cases.

Free-Response Question 4–Argumentative Essay • • • Everythinges on THESIS STATEMENTS! • Thesis statements should include a “because” statement. The line of reasoning must include one of the provided Foundational Documents. Refutation, Concession, Rebuttal (RCR) must have two components • Statement of RCR • Response to RCR

Available practice exams ● ● ● The Course and Exam Description (CED) has a full-length practice exam. A full-length practice exam is available as part of American Government: Stories of A Nation for the AP Course. The AP U. S. Government and Politics Practice Exam and Notes (on AP Audit page -- NOT FOR PUBLIC DISSEMINATION!).

Other resources for review ● C-SPAN’s Cram for the Exam ○ Saturday, May 4, from 9: 00 to 10: 00 Eastern Time ○ https: //www. c-span. org/classroom/ ● Bill of Rights Institute Webinars ○ https: //billofrightsinstitute. org/engage/studentsprograms-events/ap-prep-webinars/#government

Questions?