AP Gov Score Calculator

How It Works

The AP U.S. Government & Politics exam has two sections: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) with 55 questions worth 50% of your score, and four Free Response Questions (FRQ) collectively worth the other 50%.

The four FRQs are: Concept Application (typically 3 points), Quantitative Analysis (4 points), SCOTUS Comparison (4 points), and Argument Essay (6 points), totaling 17 points by default. You can edit these totals in Advanced Settings if your class uses a different rubric (e.g., 20 points total).

Enter your MCQ correct count out of 55 and your FRQ rubric points. We compute a weighted raw percentage and map it to a 1–5 score using adjustable bands. Exact AP curves vary each year based on overall student performance. You can edit section weights and the score bands in Advanced Settings to match a teacher-provided curve.

Inputs Explained

• MCQ Correct and Total: Enter the number of multiple choice questions you answered correctly. Change the total if you used a shortened practice test. The default is 55 questions.
• Concept Application FRQ: Enter points earned (0-3 by default) for the task that asks you to apply political concepts to a scenario.
• Quantitative Analysis FRQ: Enter points earned (0-4 by default) for analyzing data from charts, graphs, or tables.
• SCOTUS Comparison FRQ: Enter points earned (0-4 by default) for comparing a required Supreme Court case to a non-required case.
• Argument Essay FRQ: Enter points earned (0-6 by default) for developing an argument about U.S. government and politics.
• Advanced Settings: Adjust section weights (must sum to 100%), customize FRQ total points if your rubric differs, and edit score band thresholds to match a specific curve.

Example Calculation

Let's walk through a sample calculation:

• MCQ: 36 out of 55 → 36 ÷ 55 ≈ 65.5%
• FRQs: Concept 3 + Quant 3 + SCOTUS 3 + Argument 5 = 14 out of 17 → 14 ÷ 17 ≈ 82.4%

Using the default weights (MCQ 50%, FRQ 50%), the weighted raw percentage is:

(0.655 × 0.50) + (0.824 × 0.50) ≈ 0.740 = 74.0%

With the default curve, 74.0% falls just below the 75% threshold for a 4, yielding an estimated score of 3. If you want a stricter or looser curve, you can adjust the bands in Advanced Settings.

Tips & Notes

• Curves Change by Year: College Board adjusts the curve annually based on overall performance. Treat this calculator as a study guide, not a prediction of your actual score.
• Raise FRQ Performance: Notice how a few points on the Argument essay or SCOTUS comparison can shift your estimate significantly. Focus on mastering the rubrics for each FRQ type.
• Practice with Released MCQs: Use official College Board practice materials and released exams to benchmark your performance realistically.
• Read Prompts Carefully: On FRQs, make sure to cite required documents, Supreme Court cases, or foundational documents where the prompt specifies them.
• Know Your Required Cases: The SCOTUS Comparison task requires you to know 15 required Supreme Court cases. Regular review of these cases is essential for earning maximum points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

Educational tool only. Unofficial estimate. Not affiliated with the College Board. This AP Gov Score Calculator is provided for informational and practice purposes. The estimated scores are based on approximate scoring curves that may differ from actual College Board curves, which vary each year. Always refer to your official AP score report for your actual exam results.

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