Free-response practice
Comparative Government free-response questions
Free-response questions (FRQs) are the part of the AP® Comparative Government and Politics exam where you write your own answers. Here they're grouped the way the exam uses them. Write your answer, then score it yourself with the rubric and a model answer, or sign in for free AI scoring.
20 questions · 4 types
Conceptual analysis
You define or describe a political concept, then explain or compare how it works in political systems, institutions, policies or behavior. There are no sources and no required country.
On the exam: Question 1 of 4 in the free-response section (1 hour 30 minutes for all four, 50% of your score; this question is 11%). Plan on about 10 minutes for one.
Unit 1
Legitimacy and how regimes keep it
4 points · about 10 minutes
Unit 2
Judicial independence
4 points · about 10 minutes
Unit 3
Political socialization
4 points · about 10 minutes
Unit 4
Corporatism
4 points · about 10 minutes
Unit 5
Economic liberalization
4 points · about 10 minutes
Quantitative analysis
You read data in a table, graph, map or infographic, describe it and a pattern in it, draw a conclusion using a course concept, and explain what the data shows about politics.
On the exam: Question 2 of 4 in the free-response section (1 hour 30 minutes for all four, 50% of your score; this question is 12.5%). Plan on about 20 minutes for one.
Unit 1
Income and inequality in the course countries
5 points · about 20 minutes
Unit 3
Who takes part, and how
5 points · about 20 minutes
Unit 4
Votes and seats in the UK's 2024 election
5 points · about 20 minutes
Units 4 and 5
Women in national legislatures
5 points · about 20 minutes
Unit 5
Oil rents and rentier states
5 points · about 20 minutes
Comparative analysis
You define a political concept, institution or policy, describe how it shows up in two of the course countries, and compare or explain how those two countries handle it.
On the exam: Question 3 of 4 in the free-response section (1 hour 30 minutes for all four, 50% of your score; this question is 12.5%). Plan on about 20 minutes for one.
Unit 1
Steps toward democracy
5 points · about 20 minutes
Units 1 and 2
Executive term limits
5 points · about 20 minutes
Unit 3
Cleavages and government responses
5 points · about 20 minutes
Unit 4
Party systems and the rules behind them
5 points · about 20 minutes
Unit 5
Who controls the energy sector
5 points · about 20 minutes
Argument essay
You take a position on a question, back it with specific evidence from one or more course countries tied to the concepts in the prompt, explain your reasoning, and respond to an opposing view.
On the exam: Question 4 of 4 in the free-response section (1 hour 30 minutes for all four, 50% of your score; this question is 14%). Plan on about 40 minutes for one.
Units 1 and 3
Growth or control: how authoritarian regimes stay in power
5 points · about 40 minutes
Units 1 and 2
Should judges be elected?
5 points · about 40 minutes
Units 1 and 3
Autonomy or central control for divided societies
5 points · about 40 minutes
Unit 4
Which electoral system represents citizens better?
5 points · about 40 minutes
Units 1 and 5
Is oil wealth a blessing or a curse for stability?
5 points · about 40 minutes