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Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic political science terms and concepts, such as gerrymandering, enumerated and implied powers, sovereignty, judicial review, balance of power, and social contract theory.
- Analyze the emergence and spread of democratic and representative government.
- Recognize major characteristics of various systems of government, and similarities and differences between the political system of the United States and other contemporary and historical political systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and uses of various political science reference sources and research tools.
- Interpret historical and contemporary political science information represented in various visual and graphic formats.
- Apply skills and procedures used in political science research, including formulating appropriate research questions, collecting and presenting information, and drawing conclusions.
Sample Item:
The term gerrymandering refers to which of the following practices in the U.S. political
system?
- using negative advertisements to attack political opponents
- returning a bill to committee to prevent its enactment
- funding political campaigns with money from special interest groups
- redrawing congressional districts for political advantage
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
D. This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of
basic political science terms and concepts. Gerrymandering is the practice of modifying
the boundaries of electoral districts to benefit one party or group at the expense of
others.
Descriptive Statements:
- Analyze major principles and ideas contained in key documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, the Seneca Falls Declaration of 1848, and the Gettysburg Address.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles, key articles, and significant amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
- Analyze the significance of landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including Marbury v. Madison, Brown v. Board of Education, and United States v. Nixon.
- Examine the major features of the U.S. electoral system, the ways citizens participate in the political process, and the skills needed for effective participation in public affairs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.
- Analyze developments and events in U.S. history that have increased or diminished individual rights and popular participation in the political process.
Sample Item:
The ten amendments contained in the Bill of Rights can best be used to illustrate the
meaning of which of the following principles of the U.S. Constitution?
- checks and balances
- judicial review
- constitutional supremacy
- limited government
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
D. This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of the
fundamental principles, key articles, and significant amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
The Bill of Rights, which was designed to protect U.S. citizens from the unwarranted
exercise of government power, forbids the national government from passing laws restricting
certain individual freedoms and reserves to the states and to the people all powers not
expressly granted to the national government.
Descriptive Statements:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
- Analyze the ways in which the constitutional principles of separation of powers and checks and balances influence the operation of the federal government.
- Examine how laws are enacted at the federal and state levels of government in the United States, including the role of lobbyists and special interest groups in the legislative process.
- Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental features of the U.S. legal and criminal justice systems.
- Examine how U.S. foreign policy is made, the roles of the president and Congress in the foreign policy process, and factors influencing the formulation of U.S. foreign policy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and functions of state and local governments in the United States, and the ways in which federal, state, and local governments divide and share power and responsibility.
Sample Item:
Which of the following best illustrates how the principle of separation of powers
operates in the U.S. system of government?
- The Senate proposes amendments to a bill that originated in the House of
Representatives.
- The president dismisses a cabinet member.
- Members of the Senate conduct a filibuster to prevent the chamber from
voting on a bill.
- The U.S. Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional.
Correct Response and Explanation (Show Correct ResponseHide Correct Response)
D. This question requires the examinee to analyze the separation of
powers in the federal government. Separation of powers is the principle that power
should be divided among the three branches of government. A law passed by Congress
cannot continue in effect if the Supreme Court—a separate branch of government—exercises
its power by declaring the law unconstitutional.
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