AP Government & Politics (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the Advanced Placement (Advanced Placement (AP) Test Preparation)

A NEWER EDITION OF THIS TITLE IS AVAILABLE. SEE ISBN: 978-0-7386-0267-7 Get the AP college credits you've worked so hard for... Our savvy test experts show you the way to master the test and score higher. This new and fully expanded edition examines all AP US & Comparative Government & Politics areas including in-depth coverage of branches of the US government and US voting behaviors. The comprehensive review covers every possible exam topic: the entire US Federal government; a comparative review of the governments of England, France, the former Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China; US political institutions, public opinion, voting behavior and more. Features 3 full-length practice exams with all answers thoroughly explained.

Follow up your study with REA's test-taking strategies, powerhouse drills and study schedule that get you ready for test day.

DETAILS
- Comprehensive, up-to-date subject review of every US & Comparative Government & Politics area used in the AP exam
- 3 Full-Length Practice Exams: All exam answers are fully detailed with easy-to-follow, easy-to-grasp explanations
- Study schedule tailored to your needs
- Packed with proven exam tips, insights and advice

TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Research & Education Association
Study Schedules
Study Schedule for the AP Exam in U.S. Government & Politics
Study Schedule for the AP Exam in Comparative Government & Politics
Chapter 1 - Succeeding on the AP Government & Politics Exams
About the Advanced Placement Program
The AP United States Government & Politics Exam
The AP Comparative Government & Politics Exam
About the Review Sections
Scoring the Exam
Scoring the Multiple-Choice Section
Scoring the Free-Response Section
The Composite Score
Scores that Earn College Credit and/or Advanced Placement
Studying for Your AP Examination
Test-Taking Tips
Chapter 2 - United States Government & Politics Review
Constitutional Framework
The Federal Government
Public Policy
Political Institutions and Special Interests
Public Opinion and Voter Behavior
Civil Rights and the Supreme Court
Answer Key
Chapter 3 - Comparative Government & Politics Review
Britain
France
The Former Soviet Union (Commonwealth of Independent States)
The People's Republic of China
Answer Key
Practice Test 1 - AP Examination in U.S. Government & Politics
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
Practice Test 2 - AP Examination in U.S. Government & Politics
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
Practice Test 3 - AP Examination in Comparative Government & Politics
Answer Key
Detailed Explanations of Answers
Glossary
ANSWER SHEETS
APPENDICES including Annotated Articles of Confederation and United States Constitution

Chapter 1 - Succeeding on the AP Government & Politics Exams
This book will prepare you for the Advanced Placement Examinations in Government and Politics by giving you, first and foremost, an accurate and complete representation of the actual exams for both United States Government and Politics and Comparative Government and Politics. But REA doesn't stop there: we give you thorough yet concise topical reviews, a series of targeted drills, and an up-to-date glossary that comprises the full range of terminology with which you should be familiar.

If you are taking the United States Government and Politics exam, you'll want to concentrate on the first part of this book. The second part of the book is devoted to the Comparative Government and Politics exam. In both cases, you'll find a lively course review keyed to exactly the material you'll need to know to score well on the test, complemented by our handy glossary to help you get the most out of your study time. Two complete practice exams are provided for U.S. Government and Politics, while one full-length practice exam is provided for Comparative Government and Politics.

Each REA practice exam features an answer key and detailed explanations for every question. The explanations not only provide the correct response but also tell you why the remaining answers shouldn't be chosen.

By going over the appropriate review section(s), taking the corresponding exam(s), and studying our detailed explanations, you will discover your strengths and weaknesses and prepare yourself to score well on the AP Government and Politics exams.

About the Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement Program is designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still attending high school. The program consists of two components: an AP course and an AP exam. In addition, the AP in Government and Politics curriculum is divided into two courses: United States Government & Politics and Comparative Government & Politics.

If you wish to pursue an Advanced Placement in Government and Politics course you may enroll in the United States course, the Comparative course, or both. You will be expected to leave the course(s) with college-level writing skills and knowledge of government and politics. Upon completion of the course(s), you may then take the corresponding AP exam(s). Test results are then used to grant course credit and/or determine placement level in the subject when you enter college.

AP exams are administered every May. The exam schedule has been designed to allow you the opportunity to take both exams, if you are enrolled in both courses. If the United States exam is given during the morning administration, the Comparative exam will be given during the afternoon administration.

The AP United States Government & Politics Exam
The United States exam is 145 minutes in length and is divided into two sections:

I. Multiple-Choice (50% of your grade): This 45-minute section is composed of 60 questions designed to measure your understanding of facts, concepts, and theories pertinent to United States government and politics. Your ability to analyze and understand data, and the patterns and consequences involved with political processes and behaviors will also be tested. In addition you must have knowledge of the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas relevant to United States government and politics.

II. Free-Response (50% of your grade): This 100-minute section consists of four mandatory questions, each of which accounts for one-fourth of your total free-response score. You should allot roughly 25 minutes - or one-quarter of the total time in the free-response segment - for each essay. Each question normally asks you to interrelate ideas from different content areas from among the topics listed below. In addition, you may also be asked to evaluate and define fundamental concepts in the study of United States politics, and possibly to analyze case studies that bear on political relationships and events in the United States. You will be required to demonstrate mastery of political interpretation, and analytic and organizational skills through writing. In addition, you may be presented with graphs, charts and tables from whose data you would be asked to draw logical conclusions.

Here's a breakdown of coverage on the United States exam:

Topics / % of Exam
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government / 5-15%
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors / 10-20%
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media / 10-20%
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts / 35-45%
V. Public Policy / 5-15%
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties / 5-15%

The AP Comparative Government & Politics Exam
The Comparative exam is 145 minutes long and is divided into two sections:

I. Multiple-Choice (50% of your grade): This 45-minute section is composed of 60 questions designed to measure your understanding of facts, concepts, and theories pertinent to Comparative government and politics. Your ability to analyze and understand data, and the patterns and consequences involved with political processes and behaviors will also be tested. The countries normally tested in the multiple-choice questions include Great Britain, France, the former Soviet Union (Commonwealth of Independent States), and China; these are referred to as the core countries tested on the exam. For certain questions, basic knowledge of the United States will be assumed.

II. Free-Response (50% of your grade): This 100-minute section consists of four mandatory questions, each of which accounts for one-fourth of your total free-response score. You should allot roughly 25 minutes - or one-quarter of the total time in the free-response segment - for each essay. Comparative Free-Response questions may require you to compare one or two of the core countries (Great Britain, France, China, and the former Soviet Union) with the developing nations of either India, Mexico, or Nigeria. To do this, you must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the politics of one of these developing nations.

Here's a breakdown of coverage on the Comparative exam:

Topics / % of Exam
I. The Sources of Public Authority and Political Power / 5-15%
II. Society and Politics / 5-15%
III. The Relationship Between Citizen and State / 5-15%
IV. Political and Institutional Frameworks / 35-45%
V. Political Change / 15-25%
VI. The Comparative Method / 5-10%

About the Review Sections
As mentioned earlier, this book includes two reviews: one for United States Government and Politics, the other for Comparative Government and Politics.

The United States Government and Politics Review covers all of the key information you'll need to score well on...