AP US Government and Politics · Exam guide

AP Gov Quantitative Analysis FRQ Explained: How the 4 Points Are Scored

Quantitative analysis is the second free-response question. You get a graph, chart, or table and answer four labeled parts worth one point each. The first three parts use only the data. The last asks you to bring in course knowledge. Plan on about 20 minutes.

How the four points are scored

Part	Points	What earns it
(a) identify	1	Accurately identify the data point, trend, or relationship asked for, reading the axis labels, units, and legend correctly.
(b) describe	1	Accurately describe a pattern, trend, or difference shown in the data, using the data itself rather than outside knowledge.
(c) draw a conclusion	1	Draw a defensible conclusion about the political principle, institution, or behavior named in the prompt, and support it with the data.
(d) explain	1	Explain how the conclusion relates to a political institution, process, or behavior beyond the data set, using course knowledge.
Total	4

A sample question, answered

The table below shows the percent of citizens in two age groups who voted in four presidential elections. The numbers are made up for practice and are not real survey results. (a) Identify the age group with the higher turnout in Election 3. (b) Describe a difference in turnout between the two groups across the four elections. (c) Draw a conclusion about the relationship between age and political participation. (d) Explain how one political institution or process could account for the pattern.

Age group	Election 1	Election 2	Election 3	Election 4
18 to 29	47%	49%	45%	46%
65 and older	71%	70%	72%	71%

Part (a): earns the pointCitizens 65 and older, at 72 percent.

Part (b): does not earn the pointThe numbers go up and down.

It does not use the data or compare the two groups, so it describes nothing specific.

Part (b): earns the pointIn every election, turnout among citizens 65 and older was higher than among citizens 18 to 29, by 21 to 27 percentage points, and neither group's turnout changed by more than 4 points from one election to the next.

It uses the data, makes the comparison, and quantifies it.

Part (c): earns the pointAge is related to turnout: older citizens consistently participate at a much higher rate than younger citizens, and the gap is stable across elections.

Part (d): earns the pointIn most states a citizen must register before voting, and younger citizens move more often, which means they must re-register and face more hurdles. Campaigns also tend to focus on contacting reliable voters, which reinforces the gap.

It brings in institutions and processes beyond the table, which the data alone cannot supply.

The gap check: 71 minus 47 is 24, 70 minus 49 is 21, 72 minus 45 is 27, and 71 minus 46 is 25, so the gap runs from 21 to 27 points.

A method that works

Read the title, the axes or column headings, the units, and the source line before you answer anything.
For (a) and (b), quote or compute numbers from the data and name the groups or years.
For (c), state what the data shows about the political idea in the prompt. Do not claim more than the data can support, such as saying one thing caused another.
For (d), leave the table behind. Name a specific institution, process, or concept from the course and say how it explains the pattern.

Common mistakes

Using outside knowledge in parts (a) to (c). Those parts are scored on the data.
Describing a pattern with no numbers, such as "it increases" with no years or values.
Using part (d) to restate the data again instead of naming an institution or process.

Frequently asked questions

How many points is quantitative analysis worth?

Four points, one for each of parts (a) to (d). It is worth 12.5 percent of your exam score.

Do I need to do math?

Sometimes a part asks for a simple comparison, such as a difference or a percent. Basic subtraction and reading values off a chart are enough.

Can I use outside knowledge in part (b)?

No. Part (b) is scored on what the data shows. Save outside knowledge for part (d).

What kinds of data appear?

Graphs, charts, and tables about topics such as voter turnout, party identification, campaign spending, or congressional activity.

How much time should I spend?

About 20 minutes. If you cannot think of an institution for part (d), name the closest one you know and explain the link.

Keep practicing

The AP US Government course has five practice prompts of each of the four free-response types, with writing spaces that score your response against the official rubric for that type, and every unit review ends with two free-response questions and a model answer. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:

See the AP US Government and Politics course Free lessons and lesson list

Other free-response guides:

AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. This guide is our own explanation of the question types and scoring. For the official scoring guidelines, see the College Board.