Score Higher on AP Comp Gov 2024: Tips for FRQ 3 & 4

FRQs 3&4

This guide organizes advice from past students who got 4s and 5s on their exams. We hope it gives you some new ideas and tools for your study sessions. But remember, everyone's different—what works for one student might not work for you. If you've got a study method that's doing the trick, stick with it. Think of this as extra help, not a must-do overhaul.

💭 General Advice

Tips on mindset, strategy, structure, time management, and any other high level things to know

• Comp Gov can seem daunting because there’s so much information, but KEEP CALM. You know this.
• The biggest points to hit are the comparisons— it’s called COMPARATIVE government for a reason. Understand your general forms of government and regime structures, and where each of the AP6 countries lies in those categories. Make sure you’re thinking about how the countries relate and differ with each other, not just how each country functions.
• Definitely remember your history. Contextualization is very important on the FRQ section, and you don’t want to forget about it because you’re only focused on government structures.
• If you’re worried about content memorization, use comparative skills again. How do Mexico and Iran use gender quotas/restrictions? How do the UK and Russia have different bicameral legislatures? Even think about how Nigeria relates to the US government.
• Finally, TRUST YOURSELF. You know more than you think you do. Just walk yourself through the question. And always drink water :)
• Vocabulary is key! Make sure that you study vocabulary listed in the curriculum and understand how the vocabulary interacts with the AP6 countries. Jot down vocabulary words that fit in with the context of the FRQ and make sure to use them during the FRQ.
• The argumentative essay will ask about BIG topics in COGO so make a list of possible big topics that might come up and think of evidence and reasoning for a claim, even if it ends up being something else at least you got practice out of it!
• Before you start the essay, take a deep breath and figure out the big countries / comparisons you want your essay to focus on. Once you have a basic plan, the rest of the details will likely fall into place.

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🕐 Before you Write

What should a student do in the first few minutes, before they start writing?

• Make sure you annotate the prompt to the best of your ability. Underline the countries the prompt is asking you to write about and circle key vocab terms and guiding words such as “compare”, “describe’, or “give examples”. This way you are able to stay on track and answer exactly what the promo is requiring of you, nothing more or less.
• Identify what type of FRQ it is and how much you should write (based on explain, identify, compare, or describe)
• Ask yourself, what is the BIG topic you are being asked about and recall all the information?
• It is important to brainstorm / immediately list any specific vocab or concepts that come to mind on any scrap paper. These specific examples and vocabulary will help you both organize and strengthen your essay.
• Brainstorming is also very helpful when it comes to remembering all the details. Once you start physically writing down the things you remember, you have more of a chance of remembering other specific information

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🧐 FRQ #3 – Comparative Analysis

📌Overview

• Students are asked to define a course concept, compare its use in 2 different course countries, and explain responses by different course countries depending on political frameworks or beliefs
• 13% of Exam Score
• Spend about 20 min
• Scored on a 5 point rubric
  • Defines concept (1)
  • Describes examples (2)
  • Explains comparisons (2)

💡 Tips for Earning Each Point

Define Concept

• Don’t overthink it. It’s just a definition; Define it the best you can in 1-2 sentences and move on in order to manage time.
• Do be specific though. Make sure your definition cannot possibly mean anything else. (Ex: DO NOT define either a nation or a state as a country. Be specific)

Describe Examples (2 pts)

• You can choose a couple of the six countries in AP Comp Gov. For example, for a comparison question about regimes, use Mexico for democracy and China for authoritarianism. Examples help illustrate your point and solidify your argument!
• Use specific vocabulary terms or examples instead of broad concepts to earn full points! For example, instead of saying that China’s government employs political socialization - write down how China’s government uses education and propaganda for political socialization. It’s best to use specific examples that graders are familiar with!
• For comparisons use countries that are the most opposite in the thing being compared! For example, for political parties you can use China vs the UK because of the vast difference in the amount of political parties.

Explain Comparisons (2 pts)

• Before writing the actual FRQ in the margin, make a venn-diagram of the two countries and list down everything and anything you can think of that is specific to both countries and what they both share as well. You don’t have to stress or spend a lot of time making this super complicated but it can help organize your thoughts for this FRQ and allowing you to visualize the differences and even the similarities between the 2 countries. Acknowledging the traits that both countries share is also a great technique to level your writing to a higher level without any extra effort!
• Show the similarities and differences between the two examples, and explain how they might relate to each other or oppose each other. AP graders often expect this part of your answer to be the most lengthy, so go in depth and show your knowledge!

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🗣️ FRQ #4 – Argument Essay

📌Overview

• Students are asked to write an essay about a political concept that defends a claim or thesis
• 14% of Exam Score
• Spend about 40 min
• Scored on a 5 point rubric
  • Provides thesis (1)
  • Uses specific evidence (2)
  • Explains evidence (1)
  • Offers counter perspectives (1)

💡 Tips for Earning Each Point

Claim or Thesis

• Make your thesis clear and concise.
• Additionally your thesis statement should only set up the rest of your essay. Don’t feel the need to elaborate a lot in the thesis statement– simply provide a clear argument that frames the rest of your writing
• Brainstorm examples or evidence to support your thesis.
• Make a table either agreeing or disagreeing with the claim and write down evidence whichever has more bullet points will be easier to write so make that your claim and write your essay about that! Remember it isn’t really what you think but what is easier to write about!

Use of Evidence

• You can score up to 2 points for having this!
• Use specific related examples that accurately support your thesis rather than being related to your thesis!
• Introduce your evidence, but don't make it be a long intro, a short sentence is all you need. You're not writing for AP Lang but you still want your essay to flow.

Reasoning

• Show how the evidence you provided proves or strengthens your argument.
• Use words such as “therefore”, and “thus” to signify to the reader about your conclusion.
• Connect it back to your thesis and write a brief summary sentence, encompassing all your points.
• DO NOT just use evidence. DO NOT only tell the reader that it relates. Explain why it matters, what the implications are, etc.
• Imagine you are writing your essay to someone who knows nothing about AP Comp Gov, in your reasoning explain it in a way that anyone is able to understand it without being less professional

Responds to Alternate Perspectives

• Acknowledge the opposing side respectfully, and briefly state the reasons for why they would be right. Then counter them with further arguments or logic, convincing the reader to be on your side of the argument. Close off with strength and determination for how you viewed it.
• Don’t spend too much time describing the other side’s point of view. Focus on facts that would strengthen your overall argument. Try to keep in on the theme with your thesis.