AP United States Government and Politics Exam 2020 - At-Home Open-Book Timing and Argumentative Essay FRQ Guidance

Sep 29, 2026

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AP United States Government and Politics Exam 2020 notes outline an at-home, open-book/notes test format with strict timing, including security screening, an Argumentative Essay portion and a Concept Application portion. Guidance covers using only one connected device, allowed use of notes and online sources with rules against copying or consulting others, and uploading completed responses within a specified window. The Argumentative Essay section details prompt expectations, thesis requirements, evidence selection and summarization, evidence-to-thesis connections, and example lines for President vs. Congress arguments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages41

Reading Time1 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

General Information

Exam access and device rules

Timing and upload window

Open notes and integrity requirements

Argumentative Essay (FRQ)

Prompt, tasks, and thesis requirements

Evidence selection and evidence summaries

War powers examples: President vs. Congress

z AP Exam 2020 AP United States Government and Politics Mr. Yamron AUC The Basics z Units I, II, and III Foundations, Interactions Between the Branches of Government, and Civil Liberties and Civil Rights MONDAY, MAY 11TH @ 4:00 PM EXAM WILL BE TAKEN FROM HOME EXAM IS OPEN BOOK/NOTES (MORE ON THAT LATER) EXAM WILL CONSIST OF TWO QUESTIONS, ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY 25 MINUTES (60%), CONCEPT APPLICATION 15 MINUTES (40%) At Ho e Exam: General Information You will be taking your exam at home, using any device that can connect to the internet (laptop, computer, tablet, smart phone) . You must use a single device for the duration of the exam. You may either type or handwrite your response. I suggest typing your response into Google Docs or similar program, on the same device that you are using for testing, for ease of saving and uploading. Then cut and paste your response. You will have to upload your completed response during the 5-minute upload window. 30 minutes to answer security screening questions (if you are finished before the 30 minutes, you will be placed in a virtual waiting room to await the start of the exam) . 25 minutes to plan and write your Argumentative Essay. Keep your eye on the timer! 5 minutes to upload your completed response. The timer will turn red and you will have only five minutes in which to submit. 5 minutes to plan and write your Argumentative Essay. Keep your e15 minutesttopla!n and write your Concept Application. Keep your eye on the timer! 5 minutes to upload your completed response. The timer will turn red and you will have only five minutes in which to submit. At Home Exam: Timing |
| z | You MAY use your notes, review books, and online sources.
Any shared study notes and review material developed with other students must be downloaded prior to the exam.
You MAY NOT copy information from any source whatsoever. The entirety of your answer must be in your own words. |
| Open Notes?
You MAY NOT consult with anyone (parent, friend, teacher, etc. ) during the exam.
While you may use as many sources as you like, you are under a very strict time constraint and will not have time, knowing content and being able to apply it is essential.
Prepare a few key resources in advance (summaries of required foundational documents, court cases, and important vocabulary from units 1 – 3) .
Ensure that it is well organized, and that it is either bookmarked and/or tabbed, and annotated for efficiency and ease of use. | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | z The Argumentative Essay, 2020 EVIDENCE FROM REQUIRED FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT AND ONE OTHER SOURCE 25 MINUTES 7 POINT RUBRIC Argumentative Essay FRQ Format | 25 min | 60% of Exam Question: Essay prompt will have students make an argument and provide evidence to support their claim . Tasks: - Choose ONE “side” to argue - Justify with a line of reasoning that will be used throughout the essay (thesis) - Pick and explain at least ONE evidence from the list provided and connect to thesis - Pick and explain another evidence (from list or your own) and connect to thesis Argumentative Thesis (1pt) ● Thesis (1pt) ○ Choose ONE argument and follow throughout ○ Be CLEAR (no shoulds, I believes etc. ) ○ DO NOT repeat the prompt (no points if you do this) ○ Have line of reasoning that you will use throughout your entire essay (Argument + because) ○ Have a road map for both evidences (do not have to name but briefly mention) ○ Best you can do without a thesis is 2 points!! PRESIDENT War is not a time for gridlock, but rather a time for quick and effective leadership. Through the powers given to the President in the Constitution and the views of the executive, it is clear the founding fathers wanted the president to have more power during times of war to make swift and successful decisions that can not be made by a large group of people like Congress. OR CONGRESS Leadin

FAQs

What is the at-home exam format and what materials are allowed?

The exam is taken from home using any internet-connected device, and it is open book/notes. You may use notes, review books, and online sources, but you must not copy information from any source and must write entirely in your own words.

How is the Argumentative Essay section structured and timed?

The exam includes an Argumentative Essay for 25 minutes (60% of the exam). The rubric emphasizes a clear argumentative thesis, a line of reasoning that is followed throughout, and evidence that is chosen and connected to the thesis.

What does the exam expect for evidence in the Argumentative Essay?

You should choose evidence from the required foundational documents and another source or knowledge, mention them by name, summarize in your own words, and connect the evidence specifically to the prompt topic. Quoting is not required for points and anything that resembles plagiarism may be flagged.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by adawds