What is the concept outline?

Beginning with the 2018 exam, the College Board has published an outline of the content students are expected to know. This is the only information that will explicitly appear on the AP exam, although some questions will ask students to apply their knowledge of this information to new situations. Understanding the content in this outline will greatly aid the chance of scoring well on the exam.

Listed below are the essential questions for each unit. By clicking on the unit name, you will find a complete outline of each unit's content outline.

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Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

• How did the founders of the U.S. Constitution attempt to protect individual liberty, while also promoting public order and safety?
• How have theory, debate, and compromise influenced the U.S. Constitutional system?
• How does the development and interpretation of the Constitution influence policies that impact citizens and residents of the U.S.?​

Unit 2: Interactions among Branches of Governments

• How do the branches of government compete and cooperate in order to govern?
• To what extent have changes in the powers of each branch affected how responsive and accountable the national government is in the 21st century?

Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

• To what extent do the U.S. Constitution and its amendments protect against undue government infringement on essential liberties and from invidious discrimination?
• How have U.S. Supreme Court rulings defined civil liberties and civil rights?​

Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

• How are American political beliefs formed and how do they evolve over time?
• How do political ideology and core values influence government policy making?​

Unit 5: Political Participation

• How have changes in technology influenced political communication and behavior?
• Why do levels of participation and influence in politics vary?
• How effective are the various methods of political participation in shaping public policies?​