AP Macroeconomics
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About the Course
Explore the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. You’ll use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.
Skills You'll Learn
Define economic principles and models
Explain given economic outcomes
Determine outcomes of specific economic situations
Model economic situations using graphs or visual representations
Equivalency and Prerequisites
College Course Equivalent
A one-semester, introductory college course in macroeconomics.
Recommended Prerequisites
None
Exam Date
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Thu, May 4, 2023,
8 AM LocalAP Macroeconomics Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Macroeconomics Exam.
About the Units
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.
Course Content
Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts
You’ll start the course with an introduction to economic concepts, principles, and models that will serve as a foundation for studying macroeconomics.
Topics may include:
- Scarcity
- Opportunity cost and the Production Possibilities Curve
- Comparative advantage and gains from trade
- Supply and demand
- Market equilibrium, disequilibrium, and changes in equilibrium
On The Exam
5%–10% of exam score
Unit 2: Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle
You’ll look at how economic phenomena such as employment and inflation are measured.
Topics may include:
- The circular flow and GDP
- Unemployment
- Price indices and inflation
- Real vs. nominal GDP
- Business cycles
On The Exam
12%–17% of exam score
Unit 3: National Income and Price Determination
You’ll explore how changes in aggregate spending and production, economic fluctuations, and policy actions affect national income, unemployment, and inflation.
Topics may include:
- Aggregate demand
- Short-run and long-run aggregate supply
- Equilibrium and changes in the Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model
- Fiscal policy
On The Exam
17%–27% of exam score
Unit 4: Financial Sector
You’ll examine the financial sector and explain how monetary policy is implemented and transmitted through the banking system.
Topics may include:
- Financial assets
- Definition, measurement, and functions of money
- Banking and the expansion of the money supply
- Monetary policy
On The Exam
18%–23% of exam score
Unit 5: Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies
You’ll spend more time exploring the effects of fiscal and monetary policy actions and examine the concept of economic growth.
Topics may include:
- The Phillips Curve
- Money growth and inflation
- Government deficits and national debt
- Crowding out
- Economic growth
On The Exam
20%–30% of exam score
Unit 6: Open Economy—International Trade and Finance
You’ll examine the concept of an open economy in which a country interacts with the rest of the world through product and financial markets.
Topics may include:
- Balance of payments accounts
- Exchange rates and the foreign exchange market
- Effects of changes in policies and economic conditions on the foreign exchange market
- Changes in the foreign exchange market and net exports
- Real interest rates and international capital flows
On The Exam
10%–13% of exam score
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Course Resources
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AP Classroom Resources
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AP Macroeconomics Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general. The CED was updated in the summer of 2022 to incorporate new monetary policy content and the updated calculator policy.
See Where AP Can Take You
AP Macroeconomics can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors
Career Areas
66
Majors
22