Master the AP Government and Politics » (2ND)

Scoring high on the AP Exam translates to saved time and money--but how much? Peterson's updated Master the AP series answers this question with a new Quick-Reference Chart for each test by college and university, test designation, required score, credits granted, courses waived, and any stipulations. Students don't have to wonder how their college of choice will reward their hard work.Each book also contains in-depth subject reviews along with test-taking strategies and two full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations.

Before You Begin     ix
How This Book Is Organized     ix
Special Study Features     x
Appendix     x
You're Well on Your Way to Success     xi
Give Us Your Feedback     xi
Quick-Reference Guide     xi
Key Supreme Court Cases     xii
Top 10 Strategies to Raise Your Score     xiv
AP U.S. Government & Politics Basics
All About the AP U.S. Government & Politics Test     3
10 Facts About the AP U.S. Government & Politics Test     3
Scoring the AP U.S. Government & Politics Test     7
Study Plans for the AP U.S. Government & Politics Test     9
Summing It Up     15
Diagnosing Strengths and Weaknesses
Practice Test 1: Diagnostic     25
Section I     25
Section II     37
Answer Key and Explanations     38
Self-Evaluation Rubric for the Advanced Placement Essays     51
AP U.S. Government & Politics Strategies
Answering the Multiple-Choice Questions     55
Practice Plan     55
Basic Information About Section I     56
Pacing     58
Analyzing Questions     59
Educated Guessing     63
Practicing     63
Exercise 1     64
Answer Key and Explanations     66
Exercise 2     68
Answer Key and Explanations     71
Exercise 3     73
Answer Key and Explanations     75
Summing It Up     76
Writing the Essays     77
Practice Plan     78
Basic Information About Section II     78
Some Practical Advice     79
What to Expect in the AP Essays     79
The Essay: A Quick Review     82
Writing an Outstanding Essay     84
Techniques for Acing Section II     86
A Word of Caution     88
A Word of Encouragement     88
Practicing     88
Exercise 1     89
Exercise 2     90
Exercise 3     91
Exercise 4     92
Suggestions for Exercise 1     93
Suggestions for Exercise 2     95
Suggestions for Exercise 3     98
Suggestions for Exercise 4     100
Self-Evaluation Rubric for the Advanced Placement Essays     102
Summing It Up     104
AP U.S. Government & Politics Review
Constitutional Foundation of the Federal Government      107
Theories of Government     107
Adopting the Constitution     109
Basic Facts About the Constitution     116
Form of Government     121
Summing It Up     127
Institutions of the Federal Government     129
Congress     129
The Presidency     139
The Federal Bureaucracy     144
The Federal Judiciary     148
Summing It Up     153
Political Behavior and Political Groups     155
Political Behavior, Public Opinion, and the Mass Media     155
Interest Groups, Political Parties, and Elections     158
Summing It Up     164
The Public Policy Agenda     165
Economic Policy     165
Social and Domestic Policy     168
Foreign and Defense Policy     170
Summing It Up     173
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights     175
Civil Liberties     175
Civil Rights     180
Summing It Up     189
Three Practice Tests
Practice Test 2     199
Section I     199
Section II     211
Answer Key and Explanations     212
Self-Evaluation Rubric for the Advanced Placement Essays     227
Practice Test 3     235
Section I     235
Section II     248
Answer Key and Explanations     249
Self-Evaluation Rubric for the Advanced Placement Essays     264
Practice Test 4     273
Section I     273
Section II     286
Answer Key and Explanations     288
Self-Evaluation Rubric for the Advanced Placement Essays     303
Appendixes
College-by-College Guide to AP Credit and Placement     307
Glossary of Terms     329