The exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes long, divided into two sections. Section I includes 55 multiple-choice questions (80 minutes), testing your knowledge of political systems and concepts. Section II has four free-response questions (100 minutes): one country-specific question, two comparative questions, and one argument essay. Success requires both solid content knowledge and the ability to make meaningful comparisons across countries.

Many students struggle with memorizing details about six different political systems while also understanding how to compare them effectively. The free-response section requires you to move beyond simple facts to analyze similarities and differences—something that takes practice. Additionally, the argument essay often challenges students who aren't used to structuring political arguments with evidence from multiple countries.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can help you organize information about each country's system, identify patterns and comparisons across governments, and develop strategies for tackling free-response questions. A tutor can also help you practice argument essays, review your analysis of case studies, and build confidence in explaining complex political concepts. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you can focus on your specific weak areas rather than reviewing material you already know.

A score of 3 or higher is considered passing and earns college credit at most institutions. However, many competitive colleges prefer scores of 4 or 5. The national average score is typically around 2.5-2.7, so scoring a 3 or above puts you ahead of most test-takers. Your target score depends on your college goals and the specific schools you're applying to—a tutor can help you develop a realistic study plan based on your current performance.

Most students benefit from starting exam prep 2-3 months before the test, dedicating 5-8 hours per week to studying. This timeline allows you to thoroughly learn each country's system, practice comparisons, and complete multiple full-length practice tests. If you're starting closer to exam day, intensive tutoring can help you focus on high-impact topics and test-taking strategies rather than trying to cover everything equally.

Your first session is typically a diagnostic conversation where a tutor assesses your current knowledge of the six countries, identifies which topics feel strongest and weakest, and learns about your test date and score goals. This helps the tutor create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. You'll also discuss your learning style and any specific challenges—like struggling with comparisons or managing test anxiety—so tutoring can address exactly what you need.

Free-response success comes from practicing the specific format repeatedly and learning to structure your answers with clear thesis statements and evidence from multiple countries. Many students lose points by providing facts without analysis—you need to explain why differences matter and what they reveal about each government. A tutor can review your practice essays, give feedback on your argument structure, and help you develop templates for organizing comparative analysis quickly under test conditions.