AP Government and Politics Practice Test 2025

Last Updated on March 23, 2026

AP Government and Politics Practice Test 2025 – 55 Questions Answers: This test covers essential topics, including the U.S. Constitution, political beliefs and behavior, political parties, interest groups, mass media, institutions of the national government, public policy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

It contains multiple-choice and free-response questions that simulate the actual AP Government and Politics exam format, allowing students to gauge their understanding and readiness. With detailed explanations of answers and scoring guidelines, Practice Test 2 offers students valuable insights into the key concepts and skills required for success on the AP Government and Politics exam.

AP Government and Politics Practice Test – 55 Questions Answers

Directions: Each of the following questions has four choices. Choose the best response and record your answer during the quiz. There will be no penalty for incorrect answers in the multiple-choice section. Answer as many multiple-choice questions as permitted, even if you are unsure of the correct answer.

Practice Test #2

AP Government and Politics Practice Test

AP Government and Politics Practice Test 2
Total Items: 55
Section: 1 - Multiple Choice
Time Limit: N/A

1 / 55

Percentage of Frequent Use of Media by Candidate Supporters in 2016

Which of the following conclusions is accurate based on the information presented in the bar chart?

Clinton supporters use new media more than Sanders supporters.

Trump supporters accuse cable media outlets of promoting “fake news.”

Cable was a major factor in the political socialization of Trump voters.

The national media had a bias against Trump and Cruz during the 2016 campaign.

2 / 55

Percentage of Frequent Use of Media by Candidate Supporters in 2016

Which of the following trends is reflected in the bar graph?

The Republican candidates relied more on the national media than the Democratic candidates did.

Even though late-night comedians use their monologues to satirize the news, supporters of the 2016 candidates used it less frequently than other media outlets.

The Internet has been used less extensively compared to political advertising by supporters of the 2016 candidates.

Local media is used more by supporters of Republican candidates than supporters of Democratic candidates.

3 / 55

Which of the following choices reflect the information provided in the chart?

Hispanic voter turnout has been greater than non-Hispanic black turnout between 1986 and 2012.

There was a significant increase of non-Hispanic white voter turnout following presidential elections.

Non-Hispanic black voter turnout in presidential elections showed the greatest increase of any of the highlighted ethnic groups between 1986 and 2012.

Voter turnout in all groups has consistently declined in presidential elections since 2004.

4 / 55

Which of the following conclusions about voter turnout is accurate based on the information provided in the chart?

Hispanic voter turnout in midterm elections has consistently risen since the 1980s

Hispanics voted more in presidential elections than midterm elections because there was an increase in undocumented Hispanics in the country.

The gap between non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black voter turnout in presidential elections has narrowed significantly since 2000.

More non-Hispanic blacks voted in the 2008 presidential election than in the 2010 midterm election because many states reduced early voting opportunities.

5 / 55

Which of the following is an accurate statement about the pie charts?

The percentage of white senators is higher than the percentage of male House members.

There is a higher percentage of black House members than female senators.

There is a higher percentage of female House members than female senators.

There is a higher percentage of Asian House members than Hispanic senators

6 / 55

Which of the following best explains why there is a discrepancy between the percentage of male and female House and Senate members?

Fewer females are qualified to run for the Senate and House.

The electorate has not demanded more female representation in Congress.

Female officeholders do not run for the House and Senate because they do not get leadership positions after they are elected.

Male senate candidates who are elected have less political experience than female senate candidates

7 / 55

Which of the following is reflected by the information in the graph?

The percentage of Medicaid spending has increased more than the percentage of Medicare and Social Security spending.

The percentage of Social Security spending has been higher than the percentage of Medicare and Medicaid spending and is projected to remain so.

The rise and percentage of Social Security spending are outpacing the rise in Medicare spending.

The greatest percentage jump in total federal entitlement spending as part of the Gross Domestic Product is projected to occur between 2020 and 2030.

8 / 55

Which of the following is a consequence of federal entitlement spending increasing between 2005 and 2050?

The average life expectancy of senior citizens will get lower.

Medicare and Medicaid will get funded by the states.

There will be new funding for discretionary programs by Congress.

Congress must pass new legislation to guarantee the solvency of entitlement programs.

9 / 55

Based on the information presented in the table, what should be the reelection rate trend of House and Senate incumbents starting in 2018?

House incumbents should be reelected in a smaller percentage than Senate incumbents.

Most House and Senate incumbents will lose their reelection bids.

House incumbents and Senate incumbents should be reelected at the same percentage.

House incumbents should be reelected in a greater percentage than Senate incumbents.

10 / 55

Based on the information presented in the table, what conclusion can you reach about approval ratings and reelection rates of House and Senate incumbents?

Even though public opinion polls show that Congress is unpopular, people still vote for their sitting representatives and senators.

Reelection rates of House and Senate incumbents are significantly lower when Congress has a lower approval rating.

Reelection rates of House and Senate incumbents are higher during presidential election years even if there are low approval ratings of Congress.

The approval rating of incumbent House members and Senators is usually similar to the public approval rating of Congress.

11 / 55

Section 1.
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
—Section 1 The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

Which part of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that the treatment of citizens in one state must be the same as a person in another state?

Persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens.

States cannot make laws that violate the privileges or immunities of citizens in the United States.

States cannot deny any person the equal protection of the law.

States cannot deny people in their state of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

12 / 55

Which constitutional principle was established through the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?

Popular sovereignty

Federalism

Eminent domain

Selective incorporation

13 / 55

For which of the following court cases did a majority of Supreme Court justices rely on the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in making their decision?

United States v Lopez (1995)

Roe v Wade (1973)

Baker v Carr (1961)

Shaw v Reno (1961)

14 / 55

Based upon your knowledge of the Fourteenth Amendment, which of the following statements is accurate?

The Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in response to segregation laws that existed in the South after the Civil War.

The Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause can only be used to protect individuals against violations of federal laws.

Children of undocumented immigrants born in the United States are not citizens.

The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment can only be applied if the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment is violated.

15 / 55

Emily’s List
“Our vision is a government that reflects the people it serves, and decision makers who genuinely and enthusiastically fight for greater opportunity and better lives for the Americans they represent. We will work for larger leadership roles for pro-choice Democratic women in our legislative bodies and executive seats so that our families can benefit from the open-minded, productive contributions that women have consistently made in office.... “Every day. Every election victory. We are helping to put women into office who have the power to put progressive change to work,” EMILY’s List’s vision is to be a driving force of change in America. By electing more pro-choice Democratic women to national, state and local office, EMILY’s List will consistently infuse our government with leaders who will drive change. Change that truly matters today, tomorrow and forever.”

—Ellen R. Malcolm, Founder and Chair of Emily’s List

Which of the following arguments reflects the group’s mission?

To attract pro-choice Democratic and Republican women candidates to run for office

To support progressive change from pro-choice Democratic women elected to office

To join other progressive special-interest groups to defeat Republican candidates running for office

To sue corporations that are accused of paying men more than women doing the same job

16 / 55

—Ellen R. Malcolm, Founder and Chair of Emily’s List

Which of the following is an example of “putting progressive change to work”?

Supporting the right to own guns for the purpose of protecting your family

Supporting a law that would allow the development of clean coal

Supporting the concept of home schooling

Supporting the Violence Against Women Act

17 / 55

—Ellen R. Malcolm, Founder and Chair of Emily’s List

Which of the following groups would be most closely aligned with Emily’s List?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce

National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL)

Americans United for Life

Family Research Council

18 / 55

Which of the following best describes a trend in the line graph above?

There is a lower percentage of incumbency in the House than in the Senate.

There is a higher percentage of incumbency in the Senate than in the House.

There is a higher percentage of incumbency in the House than in the Senate

Incumbency rates in the Senate are more stable than incumbency rate in the House.

19 / 55

Which of the following conclusions may be drawn about incumbency based on the data in the graph above?

Incumbency rates in the Senate are almost always higher than incumbency rates in the House.

Senate incumbency rates were at their lowest in 1982.

House incumbency rates were at their highest in 1990

In the past 30 years, more than half of incumbents have won reelection.

20 / 55

Which of the following represents the point of view of this political cartoon?

The reapportioned legislative districts must be ruled unconstitutional

There are more Democratic gerrymandered districts than Republican

Gerrymandering as a political practice resulted in the unfair drawing of legislative districts.

Gerrymandering is a legitimate political tool carried out by the state legislature.

21 / 55

Which of the following Supreme Court cases dealt with the issue raised by the cartoon?

Shaw v Reno (1993)

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission (2010)

Gideon v Wainwright (1963)

Marbury v Madison (1803)

22 / 55

Based on the information in the chart, what would be a major factor in the increase of the total cost of elections from 1998 to 2016?

Increased public financing of presidential and congressional elections

Laws passed that increased the amount of soft money candidates could raise

Supreme Court decisions that equate money donated to candidates as a First Amendment right

An increase in political contributions to candidates by foreign countries

23 / 55

Based on the information in the chart, which of the following actions would a candidate do to raise the most money to run a winning campaign?

Create a Political Action Committee (PAC)

Participate in candidate town meetings

Run political ads asking for contributions

Hire political consultants

24 / 55

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 directed the Justice Department to

implement a literacy test for all eligible voters in the South.

monitor state voting where there had been instances of discrimination.

redraw voting districts where there was no minority representation.

take control of voter registration in the South.

25 / 55

Which of the following is a result of media-centered coverage of political campaigns?

A greater loyalty to political parties by the electorate

Voter satisfaction with the candidates running for office

Less of a reliance by the voters on social media

A decrease in the analysis of policy issues by the media

26 / 55

Which of the following best illustrates the implied power of Congress?

Passing the budget for the Defense Department

Passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Confirming John Roberts as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Overriding a presidential veto

27 / 55

When a potential candidate is deciding whether to run for president, there are many factors to consider before the official announcement is made. Which of the following steps would the candidate take first before deciding to run?

Buying political ads in his or her home state

Picking a running mate

Creating a campaign slogan

Book speaking engagements in early caucus and primary states

28 / 55

The president wants a clean air, clean water law that places restrictions on the amount of carbon emissions that can be produced by factories. Which of the following steps would the president take to get support for passage of the law?

Pressure states to pass their own laws prohibiting the production of goods that cause carbon emissions

Direct the Environmental Protection Agency to develop regulations that would reduce carbon emissions

Ask the attorney general to investigate factories that are producing excessive amounts of carbon emissions

Make a proposal to Congress during the State of the Union Address

29 / 55

A Senator is against a proposed piece of legislation that would mandate background checks for gun purchases at gun shows. Recent polls show that 90 percent of the public favors the law, and after a recent mass shooting it appears as if Congress may pass the law. What can the Senator do to stop the bill from coming to a vote?

Lobby the Supreme Court to rule that the bill would be unconstitutional

Filibuster the proposed law

Call for a cloture vote

Have other senators sign a discharge petition

30 / 55

Which of the following statements about the Electoral College is accurate?

If no presidential candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives determines who will be the president.

If a presidential candidate wins the popular vote but the other candidate wins the majority of the Electoral College, the House and Senate will determine the winner.

If there is a tie in the Electoral College, the Senate determines the winner

Electors must vote for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates who received the most votes in their state.

31 / 55

The fact that there is a free exercise clause in the First Amendment of the Constitution illustrates that

free speech conflicts with the separation of church and state.

wearing religious clothing is prohibited in public schools.

faith-based initiatives are unconstitutional.

there is a balance between secular and religious interests.

32 / 55

In deciding the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v Board of Education (1954), the court overturned the separate but equal doctrine precedent established in Plessy v Ferguson (1896). Which of the following describes the philosophy used by the justices in deciding the Brown case?

Constitutional originalism

Judicial Activism

Judicial Restraint

Judicial oversight

33 / 55

Which of the following explains how bureaucracies operate to implement public policy?

Bureaucracies have the ability to abolish a poorly functioning department in another agency.

Bureaucracies have the ability of determining and spending their own budgets.

Bureaucracies have the ability of coordinating their own resources and personnel to achieve policy goals.

Bureaucracies provide oversight to Congress before it passes laws affecting their agency.

34 / 55

Which of the following situations could be a violation of the privacy clause of the Fourth Amendment based on prior Supreme Court decisions?

The police obtain a search warrant to search a cell phone to find out whom a suspect called.

A citizen is put into solitary confinement for getting into a fight while serving time in prison.

A state passes a law that bans abortions before the twentieth week of a pregnancy.

A college bans housing that allows males and females to live in the same room.

35 / 55

Which of the following actions taken by an individual or group would violate the Supreme Court ruling Engel v Vitale (1962)?

A Bible study after-school group is funded by the school district.

A clergyman is invited to say a prayer at graduation at a public high school.

A comparative religion course is taught in a public school.

Amish parents not wanting to send their children to public school after age 16.

36 / 55

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 established educational standards that states must follow if they want federal funding for local educational programs. Many local school boards objected to these laws. Which of the following constitutional provisions did local school officials believe the federal government violated and overstepped its authority?

The Privilege and Immunity clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

The Tenth Amendment’s Reserved Power clause

The Full Faith and Credit clause in Article IV

The Supremacy Clause in Article VI

37 / 55

The landmark case Marbury v Madison (1803) established the principle of judicial review after the Supreme Court ruled a congressional law unconstitutional as a result of the fact that the case was brought directly to the court. Which of the following situations represents the best example of a case dealing with original jurisdiction?

A review by the Supreme Court over a dispute between New York and New Jersey dealing with property rights related to Ellis Island

A review of the constitutionality of the Violence Against Women’s Act

A review of President Trump’s executive order banning immigrants from certain predominantly Muslim countries

A review of a federal law mandating affirmative action in industries that have contracts with the government

38 / 55

A president has many positions to fill in the executive branch of government. Which of the following is an example of a position that follows the constitutional doctrine of advise and consent?

Appointing the White House press secretary

Appointing the White House chief of staff

Appointing the White House counsel to the president

Appointing the ambassador to Japan

39 / 55

A presidential daily tracking poll has candidate A ahead in the swing state of Ohio by 3 points with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 points. Exit polls have the same candidate behind by 3 points.
Which of the following statements represents the difference between a tracking poll and exit polls?

The tracking poll has too large a margin of error.

The tracking poll does not use a scientific sample.

Exit polls have a much larger sample.

Exit polls rely on a sample of actual votes in swing districts.

40 / 55

A defense corporation lobbyist wants funding in the defense budget that would result in a large government contract for that corporation. Which of the following statements represents how the iron-triangle network would accomplish this goal?

The lobbyist would testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, lobby influential Congressmen, and get the support from the Defense Department.

The lobbyist would meet with the White House Chief of Staff, take a member from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to an expensive dinner, and pay for a political ad that supports his or her position.

The lobbyist would seek the aid of state officials, testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and meet with a high-ranking officer from the Defense Department.

The lobbyist would submit a position paper to the Washington Post, testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and meet with the White House chief of staff.

41 / 55

President Jones is serving a second term. A month after he/she gives a final State of the Union speech, the opposition party is calling the president a lame duck. Which of the following would be the most difficult for the president to achieve in the final year?

Getting Congress to pass emergency funding for hurricane victims

Issuing an executive order to give federal employees paid family leave

Getting the Senate to approve a Supreme Court nominee

Getting Congress to raise the debt ceiling

42 / 55

One of the core beliefs about the United States government is that citizens should have equality of opportunity. Which of the following statements reflects that belief?

It is the individual’s responsibility to provide for his or her family without government assistance.

The government should guarantee access to health care.

The government should guarantee that everybody has a college education.

The government should guarantee that everybody has a job.

43 / 55

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the Anti-Federalist paper Brutus 1 and Federalist No. 10?

44 / 55

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of Baker v Carr (1961) and Shaw v Reno (1993)?

45 / 55

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of a delegated power of the president and an enumerated power of Congress

46 / 55

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the philosophies of judicial activism and judicial restraint?

47 / 55

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of Republican Party and Democratic Party philosophy regarding the environment?

48 / 55

Which of the following is the main difference between the Iowa caucus and most primaries?

A primary is closed to non-party members, while anybody can vote in a caucus.

More states use the caucus system rather than primaries.

Most primaries are held before the Iowa caucus.

Speeches are made for candidates at caucus sites before there is actual voting.

49 / 55

Which of the following provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 directed the Justice Department to take action?

Implement a literacy test for all eligible voters in the South

Monitor state voting where there had been instances of discrimination

Redraw voting districts where there was no minority representation

Take control of voter registration in the South

50 / 55

What usually happens when one party controls the executive branch of government and another party controls one or both houses of the legislative branch?

The president has expanded power to get proposals through Congress.

The White House executive departments issue more policies.

Compromise must take place for legislation to be signed into law.

Congress becomes the stronger branch of government.

51 / 55

Which of the following scenarios occurs when earmarks are attached to a bill?

The bill reduces the deficit.

The bill gives a congressperson the right to cut off debate.

A congressperson adds a project to an existing bill for the purpose of helping his or her district.

The bill is sent back to committee for further amendments.

52 / 55

Which of the following are guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment and when a policeman reads a suspect’s Miranda rights?

Directs the police to inform the suspect that he or she has due- process rights

Prohibits the police from obtaining evidence without a search warrant

Guarantees the right to an attorney if the accused cannot afford one

Guarantees the accused the right to challenge any witnesses

53 / 55

If a person advocates devolution, which of the following constitutional provisions would support legislation to accomplish that goal?

The Reserved Powers clause of the Tenth Amendment

The Full Faith and Credit clause in Article 4

The Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

The Eminent Domain clause in the Fifth Amendment

54 / 55

What happens as a result of the increase in the number of social media outlets?

The public relies more on the mainstream media.

The reliability of the news is lessened.

There is a greater concentration of news media ownership.

The Internet is regulated by the government to ensure accuracy.

55 / 55

Which of the following occurs when a congressional committee provides oversight?

The committee reviews the budget and actions of a bureaucratic agency.

The committee is charged with drafting an appropriations bill.

The committee sets a time limit for debate of a bill that places restrictions on a bureaucratic agency

The committee debates whether there is sufficient evidence to impeach a president.

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