Hey guys, in this video we're going to go over 25 tips that you can take into your AP
US Government exam to help you score a four or five.
This is actually part two of a two part series, so if you haven't watched our prior video
on the five steps to writing effective AP US Government and Politics FRQs, be sure to
check that out.
If you're excited about this video, please like and subscribe to our channel for more
helpful AP prep content.
Let's go ahead and get started.
Our first tip is to make sure that you know which short answer questions you're weakest
at.
There are always three core questions when it comes to the SAQs: there's a concept application,
a quantitative analysis, and a SCOTUS comparison question, so if you're weak at one particular
question, make sure you review that question the most when it comes to looking at previously
released exams.
Our second tip is to make sure that you review how issues or ideology can drive partnership
on specific issues.
Our third tip is to focus on applying the political concepts and processes that you've
learned in class to new scenarios in context.
This is one of the most commonly cited mistakes when it comes to the SAQs.
Our fourth tip is that when it comes to showing the why, the easiest way to do so is to bridge
concepts with words such as because, and therefore.
After you state these words, just provide the explanation so that you understand and
are showing why this matters to your reader.
Fifth tip: focus on what is right instead of what is wrong in your response.
The free response questions are often graded based on what's right, more so than what's
wrong, which is different than another subject like AP Biology.
Tip number six: if you're not a hundred percent sure on the supporting evidence that you're
providing, adding backup just in case.
Having that backup there can help you salvage points.
Tip number seven: if you're offering specificity, make sure you're explicit on the intent of
you introducing that specificity into your response.
For example, if something is being presented as a rebuttal to something, explain why or
how it does so.
Tip number eight: when it comes to data analysis, make sure that you're fully comfortable with
interpreting data and applying data to demonstrate how it interacts with political processes.
Number nine: in the past, students have not been able to analyze and apply data to course
content very effectively.
They often make mistakes in connecting how policy relates to respective parties in the
political process.
Tip number ten: when it comes to practicing data analysis, it's important that you're
familiar with all sorts of different types of tables as well as graphs.
This means that you're focusing on identifying the similarities and differences within different
sets of complex data.
Alright we're 40% of the way there.
Let's go ahead and keep moving on to tip number 11.
Number 11 is data analysis is not just reading graphs but also reading charts and tables.
Don't just think that because you got one question reading a graph correctly that you're
good to go for your quantitative analysis SAQ.
Number 12: one of the easiest ways that you can bolster your data analysis skills is by
reviewing sources, so check out things such as the Gallup National Polls or Pew Research
findings for more examples and to familiarize yourself.
Number 13: when it comes to those Supreme Court cases or the SCOTUS comparison questions,
students often fail to effectively compare the two cases that are presented.
They'll do a great job recalling the one that's the required case, but they struggled to connect
to the required case to the non-required case.
Tip 14: remember that the SCOTUS comparison short answer question is typically not going
to ask you to discuss the rulings of the required case, but rather it's going to ask you how
to apply the facts have been known case to the ones of the non-required case.
Tip 15 is to keep an eye out when you're asked for the clause from an amendment or the Constitution.
This usually means that there is only one right answer.
Tip 16: know the difference between the reasoning of a case, the decision, the opinions of the
case, as well as the cold hard facts.
The easiest way to practice this is to use flashcards from Quizlet to help you here.
Tip 17: when you're asked to compare facts, it means that you need to review the facts
of both cases and not just one.
Even if the facts of the non-required case are included in the prompt, you need to include
it in your response in order to earn points.
Tip 18: when it comes to the argumentative essay, students typically fail to explain
why the evidence they bring up actually supports their thesis.
Remember, it's not just enough to state your evidence.
You have to tie it all together.
Tip number 19: the second area where students often struggle with the argumentative essay
is in the alternative perspectives, so this means focusing your practice efforts on learning
how to rebuttal really effectively, concede or provide a refutation.
Tip number 20 is in your thesis, make sure that you don't just restate the prompt.
You have to make sure that there is a clear line of reasoning.
The easiest way to do so is to remember the model.
Although X, ABC, therefore Y.
What X means is that is your counter-argument or your counterpoint.
ABC are your strongest supporting points for your argument and Y is your argument.
Tip number 21: is to make sure that you know your foundational documents.
cold.
Sometimes students mix up the documents.
There are four Federalist documents to know, so make sure you know the differences between
each and every one of them.
Tip 22 is to make sure that when you're looking to get that reasoning point you have explained
why the evidence you are procuring supports your thesis.
Don't just restate your thesis or state evidence without connecting the two together.
We've said this a couple times in a couple of different ways at this point, and this
is really, really important.
Tip number 23: when you're trying to earn that alternative perspective point, make sure
you're not only stating the alternative point of view, but your actual response to it.
It's not enough just to do one but not the other.
Number 24 is to make sure that you work with a friend through at least three years' worth
of AP GoPo FRQs.
It's super helpful to have a study buddy because they can hold you accountable to your study
plans as well as grade each other's work, going through those scoring guidelines.
Final tip that we have for you is by your last two weeks before the exam, you should
have clearly identified three to five biggest weaknesses when it comes to the FRQs.
Then, what we recommend you do is to devote 70% of your study time to these areas in your
general review.
This will allow you to really focus on your weaknesses and get stronger at taking this
respective exam.
Here are three more resources that you may find helpful in your AP US Government review.
The first one are the previously released exams by the College Board.
Here's where you're going to find all those past FRQs as well as detailed explanations,
students sample responses and Chief Reader reports.
The second resource is Albert's AP, US Government review guide.
This is completely free on our blog and provides you with helpful questions that you may want
to ask yourself as you're nearing the end of your exam prep.
And the last one is Albert's AP US Government course.
This provides hundreds of practice questions as well as original FRQs that you can layer
on top of the existing FRQs from the College Board.
This way that you can get even more practice and learn by doing.
Lastly, if you found this video helpful, be sure to hit that like and subscribe button
for more AP exam content review such as that prior video in which we went over the five
steps for writing effective AP US Government free responses.
That's it for this time.
I'll see you guys next time.