• 59 questions

AP Government Unit 1 Practice Test

Unofficial practice on Foundations of American Democracy: the founding documents, the Constitution's compromises and federalism.

Which statement expresses popular sovereignty as the Declaration of Independence puts it?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the College Board. Bank checked October 10, 2026.

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All 59 questions

Topic 1.1: Ideals of democracy 7

  • According to the Declaration of Independence, how do people come to have their unalienable rights? Declaration of Independence (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.1.A.1; course topic 1.1
  • The Declaration of Independence lists the king's acts, such as refusing his assent to laws. What are these facts meant to prove? Declaration of Independence (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.1
  • People agree to give up some freedoms to a government, and in return it keeps order and protects their remaining rights. Which idea is this? Wikipedia, "Social contract"; College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.1.A.1; Declaration of Independence (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.1
  • Voters do not vote on federal bills themselves. They elect members of Congress, who debate and decide for them. Which principle is this? Federalist No. 10 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.1.A.2; course topic 1.1
  • Which provision of the Constitution is an example of limited government? U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9 (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.1.A.1; course topic 1.1
  • Which statement expresses popular sovereignty as the Declaration of Independence puts it? Declaration of Independence (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.1.A.1; course topic 1.1
  • Which words of the Gettysburg Address restate popular sovereignty? Gettysburg Address (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.1
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Topic 1.2: Types of democracy 5

  • A town sets its budget at an open meeting where every resident may speak and vote. Which model of democracy does this come closest to? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.2.A.1; Wikipedia, "Participatory democracy"; course topic 1.2
  • Brutus No. 1 says that in a free republic the people's representatives "are supposed to know the minds of their constituents." Which model of democracy is this view closest to? Brutus No. 1 (Teaching American History); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.2.A.2; course topic 1.2
  • The Constitution has each state appoint electors, and the electors choose the president. Which model of democracy does this filtering of the vote reflect? U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 1 (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.2.A.1; course topic 1.2
  • Labor unions, business associations and environmental groups each lobby Congress on an energy bill, and the final text gives something to each. Which model of democracy does this reflect? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.2.A.1; Wikipedia, "Pluralist democracy"; course topic 1.2
  • Which part of the Constitution of 1787 comes closest to the participatory model of democracy? U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2 (National Archives transcript); U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 3 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.2

Topic 1.3: Government power and individual rights 9

  • A group wants a law that would harm a minority. According to Federalist No. 10, why is it less likely to succeed in a large republic than in a small one? Federalist No. 10 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.3
  • Federalist No. 10 says a republic can "refine and enlarge the public views." By what means? Federalist No. 10 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.3
  • Federalist No. 10 says the causes of faction could be removed by destroying liberty. Why does it reject that cure? Federalist No. 10 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.3
  • What does Brutus No. 1 conclude about a republic the size of the United States? Brutus No. 1 (Teaching American History); course topic 1.3
  • What does Brutus No. 1 predict for the state governments under the Constitution? Brutus No. 1 (Teaching American History); course topic 1.3
  • What does Federalist No. 10 call the most common and durable source of factions? Federalist No. 10 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.3
  • Which of these groups would be a faction as Federalist No. 10 defines the word? Federalist No. 10 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.3
  • Which of these would an Anti-Federalist of 1788 most likely have argued? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.3.A.2; College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.3.A.1; Wikipedia, "Brutus (antifederalist)"; course topic 1.3
  • Which two clauses does Brutus No. 1 quote to show that the new Congress would hold almost unlimited power? Brutus No. 1 (Teaching American History); course topic 1.3

Topic 1.4: Challenges of the Articles of Confederation 7

  • How did Article II of the Articles of Confederation describe each state? Articles of Confederation, Article II (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.4
  • Twelve of the thirteen states approve an amendment to the Articles of Confederation, and one state refuses. What happens to the amendment? Articles of Confederation, Article XIII (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.4
  • Two states tax each other's goods at the border, and the Confederation Congress can do nothing about it. Which missing power does this show? National Archives, "Articles of Confederation (1777)"; College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.4.A.1; course topic 1.4
  • Under the Articles of Confederation, a state of 700,000 people and a state of 60,000 people each sent delegates to Congress. How did their voting power compare? Articles of Confederation, Article V (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.4
  • Under the Articles of Confederation, delegates of eight of the thirteen states vote in Congress to borrow money. What is the result? Articles of Confederation, Article IX (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.4
  • Under the Articles of Confederation, who laid the taxes that supplied the national treasury? Articles of Confederation, Article VIII (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); National Archives, "Articles of Confederation (1777)"; course topic 1.4
  • Which weakness of the Articles of Confederation did Shays' Rebellion expose? Wikipedia, "Shays' Rebellion"; College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.4.A.1; course topic 1.4

Topic 1.5: Ratification of the U.S. Constitution 9

  • A state has 2 senators and 7 representatives. How many presidential electors does it appoint? U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 1 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.5
  • At the Convention, large states wanted seats by population in both houses, and small states wanted equal votes. What did the Great Compromise give them? U.S. Senate, "Equal State Representation"; course topic 1.5
  • Before which year did the Constitution forbid Congress to ban the importation of enslaved persons? U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9 (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.5.A.1; course topic 1.5
  • Besides a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, how may amendments be proposed under Article V? U.S. Constitution, Article V (National Archives transcript); National Archives, "Constitutional Amendment Process"; course topic 1.5
  • Changing the Articles of Confederation took the consent of every state. What did Article VII of the Constitution require for the Constitution to take effect? U.S. Constitution, Article VII (National Archives transcript); Articles of Confederation, Article XIII (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.5
  • Congress proposes an amendment by a two-thirds vote of both houses. How many of the 50 states must then ratify it? U.S. Constitution, Article V (National Archives transcript); National Archives, "Constitutional Amendment Process"; course topic 1.5
  • In 1790 a state has 300,000 free inhabitants and 100,000 enslaved people. Under Article I as first written, what population counts toward its seats in the House? U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2 (National Archives transcript); U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 2 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.5
  • What part does the president have in amending the Constitution? National Archives, "Constitutional Amendment Process"; U.S. Constitution, Article V (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.5
  • Which concession to the Anti-Federalists helped secure ratification of the Constitution? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.5.A.1; U.S. Constitution, preamble to the Bill of Rights (National Archives transcript); Wikipedia, "Anti-Federalism"; course topic 1.5

Topic 1.6: Principles of American government 7

  • A senator is offered a paid post in an executive department and wants to keep her Senate seat too. Which principle does the Constitution's ban on this protect? U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 6 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.6
  • According to Federalist No. 51, how does the Constitution get officials to defend their own branch against the others? Federalist No. 51 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.6
  • Federalist No. 51 says, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." What does it conclude a government run by people must do? Federalist No. 51 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.6
  • The House approves articles of impeachment against a federal official by a simple majority. What has happened to the official? U.S. Senate, "About Impeachment"; U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 3 (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.6.B.2; course topic 1.6
  • In Federalist No. 51, power is divided first between two governments and then among separate departments. What does the essay say this gives the people? Federalist No. 51 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.6
  • Which branch does Federalist No. 51 say necessarily predominates in a republic, and what remedy does it give? Federalist No. 51 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.6
  • Which of these is a check, a power one branch holds over the work of another? U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 2 (National Archives transcript); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.6.A.1; course topic 1.6

Topic 1.7: The states and the national government 8

  • A federal law orders every state to meet a new clean air standard by a set date. What is such a requirement called? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.7.A.5; course topic 1.7
  • A state issues driver's licenses, a power the Constitution neither gives to the national government nor denies to the states. Under which amendment is this a state power? U.S. Constitution, Amendment X (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.7
  • According to the course framework, which form of federal funding do the states prefer, and why? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.7.A.5; Wikipedia, "Block grant"; course topic 1.7
  • Congress has no listed power to charter a bank, but it does so to help carry out its powers to tax and borrow. What kind of power is it using? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.7.A.2; U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8 (National Archives transcript); Wikipedia, "Implied powers"; course topic 1.7
  • Congress offers states money that may be spent only on school lunches, under detailed rules. What kind of funding is this? Wikipedia, "Categorical grant"; College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.7.A.5; course topic 1.7
  • Congress sets up federal trial courts, and each state sets up trial courts of its own. What kind of power is the power to create lower courts? Wikipedia, "Concurrent powers"; College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.7.A.4; course topic 1.7
  • What does Federalist No. 39 conclude about the proposed Constitution? Federalist No. 39 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.7
  • Which part of the new government does Federalist No. 39 call federal, because it represents the states as equal societies? Federalist No. 39 (Avalon Project, Yale Law School); course topic 1.7

Topics 1.8 and 1.9: Federalism in the courts and in action 7

  • A company trucks goods from Ohio to Texas. Which clause lets Congress regulate that trade? U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.8
  • A state judge hears a case in which a state law conflicts with a valid act of Congress. What does Article VI require? U.S. Constitution, Article VI (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.8
  • An advocacy group cannot get its bill through Congress, so it lobbies state legislatures and wins the same policy in a dozen states. What does this show about federalism? College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, EK 1.9.A.1; course topic 1.9
  • Congress passes a law to stop states from denying people the equal protection of the laws. Which provision gives Congress that power? U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 5 (National Archives transcript); U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 1 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.8
  • In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), why could Maryland not tax the national bank? McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School); course topic 1.8
  • In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Court upheld a national bank although the Constitution does not mention one. On which clause did it rest? McCulloch v. Maryland, 17 U.S. 316 (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School); U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8 (National Archives transcript); course topic 1.8
  • What did United States v. Lopez (1995) mean for the balance of power between Congress and the states? United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School); College Board, AP U.S. Government and Politics course description, required Supreme Court cases; course topic 1.8

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to Unit 1, Foundations of American Democracy, in the College Board's AP U.S. Government and Politics Course and Exam Description, effective fall 2026, https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-us-government-and-politics-course-and-exam-description.pdf, read 2026-10-10: topics 1.1 to 1.9. Each fact was read on 2026-10-10 in the public page named under its question: the National Archives transcripts of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and its amendments; the Articles of Confederation, the Gettysburg Address and Federalist Nos. 10, 39 and 51 at the Avalon Project of Yale Law School; Brutus No. 1 at Teaching American History; the opinions in McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez at the Legal Information Institute of Cornell Law School; pages of the U.S. Senate and the National Archives; and Wikipedia. Licence: Own work. Short quotations from the public documents named under each question.

How it works

This AP Government Unit 1 practice test has 59 questions of our own on Foundations of American Democracy. It is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by the College Board.

Read the full guide

What the questions cover

The questions follow Unit 1 of the College Board's course description, effective fall 2026 and read October 10, 2026, topic by topic from 1.1 to 1.9. The description gives topics no weights, so the spread is ours.

Sources you can open

Quotations come from the National Archives transcripts and from the Avalon Project texts of the Articles of Confederation and Federalist Nos. 10, 39 and 51. Brutus No. 1 is quoted from Teaching American History, and the two court opinions from Cornell's Legal Information Institute.

  • Pair Federalist No. 10 with Brutus No. 1: one says a large republic controls factions, the other that a free republic cannot be that large.
  • Learn each weakness of the Articles of Confederation beside the clause of the Constitution that answers it.
  • For McCulloch v. Maryland and United States v. Lopez, name the clause at issue and the level of government that gained.

Questions and answers

What is Unit 1 of AP Gov?

Foundations of American Democracy. Its nine topics run from the ideals of democracy and the Articles of Confederation to ratification, the principles of American government and federalism, by the College Board's course description.

How much of the AP Gov exam is Unit 1?

15 to 22% of the multiple-choice section, by the College Board's course page. That section has 55 questions in 80 minutes and counts for half of the exam score.

Which documents are in AP Gov Unit 1?

Its topics name the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, the Articles of Confederation, Brutus No. 1 and Federalist Nos. 10, 39 and 51. All are among the course's required foundational documents, and all are quoted in this bank.

Are these real AP Government exam questions?

No. Real AP questions belong to the College Board, and none is used or reworded here. Each question was written for this page from the Unit 1 topics in the course description.

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