AP Comparative Government and Politics
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Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
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Examine the political institutions and processes of six different countries—China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom—and compare the ways they address problems. You’ll analyze data and readings to draw conclusions about political systems.
Connecting political concepts to real-life situations
Comparing different political systems, institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors
Analyzing data to find patterns and trends and draw conclusions
Reading and analyzing text sources
Developing a claim or thesis and explaining and supporting it in an essay
A one-semester introductory college course in comparative government and politics
None
Wed, May 3, 2023,
12 PM Local
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Comparative Government and Politics Exam.
The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.
You’ll learn about the skills and concepts that political scientists use in their work and apply them as you analyze data related to the six course countries.
Topics may include:
18%–27% of multiple-choice score
You’ll look at the political structure and the branches of government of each of the six course countries.
Topics may include:
22%–33% of multiple-choice score
You’ll study the ways in which the citizens of a country interact with, influence, and are affected by their government, using the six course countries as examples.
Topics may include:
11%–18% of multiple-choice score
In the context of the political structures, events, and issues associated with the six course countries, you’ll learn how individuals, parties, and citizen organizations work to gain influence and power.
Topics may include:
13%–18% of multiple-choice score
You’ll explore how the political systems and power structures of the six course countries play out in an interconnected global context.
Topics may include:
16%–24% of multiple-choice score
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AP Comparative Government and Politics Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and the AP Program in general.
AP Comparative Government and Politics can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors