Last Updated: January 9, 2025
The AP US Government and Politics exam consists of two sections: multiple choice and free response questions. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 - 5, with a 5 being the highest possible score.
The scores in this calculator are estimates based on previous scoring curves. The actual scoring curve may vary year to year.
Instructions
Enter your scores for each section using the sliders below to calculate your estimated AP score.
Section 1: Multiple Choice
Concept Application (Free Response 1)
Quantitative Analysis (Free Response 2)
SCOTUS Comparison (Free Response 3)
Argument Essay (Free Response 4)
PREDICTED AP® SCORE
0 | Score range: 1 - 5
SECTION SCORES
Multiple Choice Score
0 / 60
Free Response Score
0 / 60
Combined Composite Score
0 / 120
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The AP US Government and Politics exam consists of two main sections:
| Section | Question Type | Time | Questions | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Multiple Choice | 1 hour 20 minutes | 55 questions | 50% |
| Section 2 | Free Response | 1 hour 40 minutes | 4 questions | 50% |
Total exam time: 3 hours
Section 1: Multiple Choice
55 questions testing your knowledge of US government and politics
Includes both individual and set-based questions
Features quantitative analysis of data, qualitative analysis of texts, and visual analysis
About 30 questions are standalone (no stimulus material)
Section 2: Free Response
Concept Application: Apply political concepts to real-world scenarios
Quantitative Analysis: Analyze data and explain its political significance
SCOTUS Comparison: Compare Supreme Court cases
Argument Essay: Develop an argument using foundational documents
The AP US Government and Politics exam uses a weighted scoring system that combines your performance on both sections. The multiple-choice section accounts for 50% of your score, and the free-response section makes up the other 50%.
Your raw scores from each section are converted into a composite score, which is then converted to the final AP score of 1-5. The distribution of scores from the most recent exam was:
| AP US Government Score | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| 5 | 24.3% |
| 4 | 25.0% |
| 3 | 23.7% |
| 2 | 18.1% |
| 1 | 8.9% |
A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though many top colleges only award credit for scores of 4 or 5. For college admissions purposes, a 4 or 5 is considered a strong score.
To earn a high score (4 or 5), students typically need to demonstrate:
Deep understanding of US government institutions and processes
Ability to analyze political data and documents
Strong knowledge of Supreme Court cases and constitutional principles
Clear written communication and argumentation skills
Application of political concepts to real-world scenarios
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