The College Board has modified the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam, and all other AP exams, in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19.
The AP Comparative Government exam for 2020 will be shorter, administered online, cover less material, and have a different format than previous tests.
Here are the key changes you need to know to do well in the upcoming AP Comparative Government exam.
Will I get college credit for the modified AP Comparative Government exam?
Students who take the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam will be eligible for college credit, according to the College Board: “Colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked this year to earn. For decades, colleges have accepted a shortened AP Exam for college credit when groups of students have experienced emergencies.”
As in previous years, a student must obtain a score of 3, 4 or 5 to be eligible for college credit.
How long is the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam?
The online 2020 AP Comparative Government exam will be just 45 minutes long, instead of the two hours and 30 minutes it took in previous years, and can be taken at home (if schools are still closed on exam day) or at school.
What is the AP Comparative Government exam format for 2020?
The 2020 AP Comparative Government exam will be an open book/open note exam based entirely on free-response questions. There will be no multiple choice questions as there were in the past.
For free examples of free-response questions, check here for the actual questions posed in the 2019 AP Comparative Government exam and here for those posed in the 2018 AP Comparative Government exam.
What device should I use to take the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam?
You can take the exam on any device you have access to, including a computer, tablet or a smartphone. You should make the determination of which device works best for you beforehand.
You are also allowed to submit a photo of your handwritten work.
What if I don’t have internet access?
If you need access to the internet or a working computer, contact the College Board here for help. The College Board is committed to making the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam work for all students: “We recognize that the digital divide could prevent some low-income and rural students from participating. Working with partners, we will invest so that these students have the tools and connectivity they need to review AP content online and take the exam.”
What will be tested on the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam?
You will be tested only on material from Units 1 through 3, so you should be prepared to answer questions on these topics:
- Unit 1: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments
- Unit 2: Political Institutions
- Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation
What will not be tested on the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam?
You won’t be tested on material from Units 4 and 5.
- Unit 4: Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations
- Unit 5: Political and Economic Changes and Development
Are exam question types and sample questions available for the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam?
The AP Comparative Government exam will consist of two questions, an argument essay question and a quantitative analysis question. Check this rubric for details on the scoring criteria and here for a description of the questions.
You will have 25 minutes to read and respond to the first question and five minutes to upload your response. Then you will have 15 minutes for the second question plus another five minutes to upload your response.
What’s the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam date and time?
The College Board is offering two exam dates for each AP exam this year.
The AP Comparative Government exam is scheduled for Friday, May 22 at these times:
- Hawaii Time: 6 a.m.
- Alaska Time: 8 a.m.
- Pacific Time: 9 a.m.
- Mountain Time: 10 a.m.
- Central Time: 11 a.m.
- Eastern Time: 12 p.m.
The AP Comparative Government make-up exam will be held on Friday, June 5 at these times:
- Hawaii Time: 8 a.m.
- Alaska Time: 10 a.m.
- Pacific Time: 11 a.m.
- Mountain Time: 12 p.m.
- Central Time: 1 p.m.
- Eastern Time: 2 p.m.
Note: Unless you have a scheduling conflict, you should plan on taking your AP Comparative Government exam on the primary date. This way, you can take it on the make-up date if it turns out you can’t take it on the primary date.
Is the College Board offering any free AP Comparative Government exam review courses?
The College Board is committed to making free resources available to students through exam day.
Live classes and recordings delivered by AP teachers from across the country are available on the AP YouTube channel. You can find the daily course schedule here.
Note: The AP Comparative Government review courses will also cover topics that have been excluded from this year’s exams.
What are my other options for preparing for the 2020 AP Comparative Government exam?
If you don’t have an AP Comparative Government review book already and can’t get it on time through Amazon, which has recently confirmed that even Amazon Prime deliveries of non-essential goods could be delayed a month, try eBay or other alternate sources.
If you’re taking more than one AP exam in 2020, check here for details on other revised AP exams.
