AP Macroeconomics FRQ three questions built on graphs.
Section II of the AP Macroeconomics exam is three free-response questions in 60 minutes, worth about one-third of your score: one long question and two short ones. It is heavy on graphs, and no calculator is allowed. Here is the format and how to earn the points.
The format at a glance
Macroeconomics weights free response less than most sciences, but the graphs make it where careless points disappear.
What it tests
The long question usually chains several models together, while the short questions target one idea each. Expect the aggregate demand and aggregate supply model, the money market, the loanable funds market, the Phillips curve, and foreign exchange, plus the fiscal and monetary policy that moves them.
How the rubric scores points
Graders work from a checklist, and most points are tied to a correctly drawn and labeled graph.
Where students lose points
How to practice
Work the College Board released AP Macroeconomics free-response questions and redraw every graph until labeling is automatic. Grade yourself against the scoring guidelines, which list each point. When you have a raw score, the AP Macroeconomics score calculator projects your 1–5.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers — written by humans, not a chatbot.
How many FRQs are on the AP Macroeconomics exam?
Three — one long and two short — in 60 minutes with a 10-minute reading period, worth about a third of your total score.
Can I use a calculator on the AP Macro FRQ?
No. Calculators are not permitted on the AP Macroeconomics exam. The math is simple by design.
What makes the Macroeconomics FRQ hard?
The graphs. Most points require correctly drawn and fully labeled diagrams, and unlabeled axes are the most common way to lose points.