AP U.S. Government and Politics
Yesterday I received my AP test results, and after an overall stressful year (complete with swapping GOV teachers midyear) I am proud to say that I scored a 5 on my AP GOV exam! This has been a personal goal for me and something that I’ve worked incredibly hard for the past school year. I thought I would share some of the resources I used to study/review in case they can be of use to anybody else. Best of luck, happy studying :)
Free Online (AP) Government Textbooks:
American Government Institutions and Policies - 11th Edition (pdf)
Open Culture Textbooks (listed under Political Science, this is more about policy/political science aspect than government)
American Government - Lenz & Holman (pdf)
* I rarely worked out of a textbook in both of my AP GOV classes, but it was helpful to have a text if I had questions about a lesson
Notes:
Course Notes Chapter Notes (great to print/copy notes from, very detailed)
AP Study Notes Vocabulary (this site was so helpful to use throughout the year for definitions/extra information)
Spark Notes (good ole Spark Notes)
Chapter Tests/ Review:
Hampton High School Chapter Summaries (these are coming from one of the Cengage textbooks/readings, still very helpful)
Cengage Chapter Questions / Cengage Chapter Tests (this is probably one of my favorite sites to review with, no need to have the textbook as the review is pretty general)
Review Videos:
Adam Norris - Final Review (1:00, very helpful to review big ideas, watched it twice before the exam)
Adam Norris Chapter/Topic Reviews (0:03 - 0:11 on average)
Crash Course Government and Politics (0:05 - 0:10 average, I found these somewhat irritating/fast, but they may be helpful to some, organized by topic)
Adam Norris Supreme Court Cases - (0:11)
MackTeach Cram Review (2:57, incredibly long but fairly helpful, watched part of this before my exam)
Review:
Albert AP US Government Review (multiple choice tests and free response questions for specific topics, membership required to access all tests)
4 Tests AP US Government Exam (a full length multiple choice test and free response questions, allows you to save your progress and continue at a later time)
Barron Practice Exam (full length multiple choice and free response exam, flash player is required)
Shaker AP US Government Review Guide (pdf - 142 pages, this review guide contains all the definitions/information for the exam, great overall review)
*I used a fill in review packet that I downloaded somewhere online, I currently cannot find it (if I do it will be linked)
Tips:
- Consider taking an (AP) history/US history course prior to AP GOV if you have the opportunity to. I learned about many important historical figures/politicians from APUSH as well as landmark court cases/documents. It was definitely helpful to have some background knowledge on the subject (but not necessary)!
- Keep up with vocab/notes! This is self explanatory but a lot of the work in class was defining things and discussing the history of government/politics, it’s easy to leave it for later and let it pile up
- Start reviewing for the exam at least a month in advance. Did I study every single day for a month? No. But it’s better to start early so you have enough time to review all content/become comfortable in weak spots. Spend time taking practice exams, read in your textbook/notes, practice essay questions, mindmap, use Quizlet, get together and review with friends.
- There are so many resources for AP Government and Politics on Youtube, if you aren’t in the mood to read from a textbook once in awhile, video review is a great option
I’ll add resources/tips/anything else I can think of as I come across it. Best of luck in AP Government and Politics! :)