---
title: "AP Comparative Government Comparative Analysis FRQ Practice"
description: "98 Comparative Analysis questions written in the AP format, each scored part by part."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-comp-gov/frqs/comparative-analysis"
type: "frq-type-practice"
subject: "AP Comparative Government"
---

# AP Comparative Government Comparative Analysis FRQ Practice

## What the Comparative Analysis FRQ asks

The Comparative Analysis question is FRQ 3 on the AP Comparative Government exam. It names a political concept, asks you to describe it in two course countries, and then explain or compare how each country handles it.

- **20 min**: suggested writing time
- **5 points**: across parts A to C
- **12.5%**: of your exam score

| Part | What it asks | Points |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A: Define | The concept, institution, or policy the prompt names | 1 |
| B: Two countries | A specific example of it in each of two course countries | 2 |
| C: Explain | How or why each country handles it, one point per country | 2 |

## How Comparative Analysis FRQ practice works

1. **Read the full question.** All three parts, A through C, laid out the way the exam shows them.
2. **Write on a 20-minute timer.** The time to plan for on exam day. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go.
3. **Submit for a score out of 5.** Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included.

## All 98 questions

### Unit 1: Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments (20)
- [Rule of law application across different nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=696f0dc6ad4238123a335806&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Obstacles to democratization across different countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855c6866800a3f393b169b&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources across different nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d1e66800a3f393b16a3&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources across different regimes](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d4266800a3f393b16a4&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources across comparative regimes](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ddd66800a3f393b16ac&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political corruption and state responses](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e0866800a3f393b16af&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State responses to regional and separatist challenges](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e7266800a3f393b16b8&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Ideology and religion as sources of political legitimacy](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ec566800a3f393b16bf&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political stability challenges across comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ef966800a3f393b16c1&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Regime change and political legitimacy across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855fad66800a3f393b16c8&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Internal sovereignty challenges and state responses](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985604a66800a3f393b16d1&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State media control across comparative government systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985608266800a3f393b16d2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Government responses to political legitimacy challenges](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698560f866800a3f393b16d7&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources and challenges across states](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985616a66800a3f393b16dc&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources across comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698561a666800a3f393b16e0&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State media relationships across comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698561e866800a3f393b16e5&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources across course countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985625966800a3f393b16ed&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Democratization factors and government policy impacts](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985633566800a3f393b16f2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political legitimacy sources across different nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985636266800a3f393b16f6&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Electoral competition limits in comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a3ddde19f353beaf735c&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)

### Unit 2: Political Institutions (19)
- [Executive term limits across different nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6967ebbe4a2d83994f69d393&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative constraints across different governmental systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855c6666800a3f393b169a&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Judicial independence across comparative government systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ca166800a3f393b169e&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative independence across comparative political systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d8366800a3f393b16a7&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative checks on executive power](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855db866800a3f393b16ab&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative checks on executive power across systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e0c66800a3f393b16b0&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative power constraints across different democracies](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855eaf66800a3f393b16bd&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Head of government removal mechanisms across different systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855f1e66800a3f393b16c4&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative checks on executive power across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985601c66800a3f393b16cd&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative constraints across different governance systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985618166800a3f393b16dd&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Executive removal mechanisms across parliamentary systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698561d766800a3f393b16e3&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative independence constraints across comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985620f66800a3f393b16e9&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative constraints across different political systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985625366800a3f393b16ec&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative oversight mechanisms across different systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698562a766800a3f393b16ef&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Head of government selection in parliamentary systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985633a66800a3f393b16f3&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Executive cabinet formation across different political systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a3f2de19f353beaf736d&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Judicial review power across different governmental systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a449de19f353beaf73ab&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Head of state powers across different executive systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a470de19f353beaf73c3&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Legislative structures across comparative government systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a50ade19f353beaf7417&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)

### Unit 3: Political Culture and Participation (20)
- [Political participation across different regime types](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69671fc54ff741c1162ad0b2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State influence on political socialization across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855c6c66800a3f393b169c&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State responses to social cleavages across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855cc466800a3f393b16a0&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State responses to social cleavages across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d7a66800a3f393b16a6&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Social cleavages and political stability across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d9d66800a3f393b16a9&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Religious and ethnic minority treatment across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ddf66800a3f393b16ad&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Government responses to social cleavages across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e2a66800a3f393b16b2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political socialization processes across comparative nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e7866800a3f393b16b9&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Media freedom restrictions across comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e9a66800a3f393b16bb&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State responses to social cleavages across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ebb66800a3f393b16be&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State role in political socialization processes](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855f3566800a3f393b16c5&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Media freedom restrictions across different political systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855f8b66800a3f393b16c6&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Government responses to social cleavages across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855fbf66800a3f393b16ca&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State media relationships and government control mechanisms](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985600b66800a3f393b16cc&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Social cleavages and political stability across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985604266800a3f393b16d0&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Government responses to social cleavages across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985609f66800a3f393b16d3&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Media freedom restrictions across comparative governments](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698560bc66800a3f393b16d4&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Government responses to social cleavages across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985611e66800a3f393b16d8&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Formal political participation restrictions across comparative systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a37ede19f353beaf731a&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Government responses to informal political participation](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a3aade19f353beaf7335&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)

### Unit 4: Party and Electoral Systems and Citizen Organizations (19)
- [Electoral systems and legislative representation outcomes](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=696f0db7ad4238123a335801&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State responses to social movements across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855cbb66800a3f393b169f&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Ballot access restrictions across different political systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ceb66800a3f393b16a1&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Interest group representation systems across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d4d66800a3f393b16a5&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Electoral regulatory organizations and competitive dynamics](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e3d66800a3f393b16b5&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Electoral regulations and ballot access across democracies](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e9d66800a3f393b16bc&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Candidate eligibility restrictions across different electoral systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855ecf66800a3f393b16c0&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Candidate vetting processes and electoral competition](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855fcb66800a3f393b16cb&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State responses to social movements across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698560e866800a3f393b16d6&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Political party strategies maintaining power across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985612066800a3f393b16d9&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Ballot access restrictions across different democracies](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698561d666800a3f393b16e2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Ballot access and candidate nomination processes](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985623566800a3f393b16ea&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Party systems and government accountability mechanisms](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985636d66800a3f393b16f7&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Social movements and political change across countries](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985644866800a3f393b1702&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Electoral rules shaping demographic representation across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a369de19f353beaf730f&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Presidential electoral systems across comparative democracies](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a3bcde19f353beaf734b&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Catch-all political parties across different nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a435de19f353beaf739a&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Electoral competition levels across multiparty systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a51cde19f353beaf7427&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Single-member district electoral systems and party dynamics](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a539de19f353beaf7439&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)

### Unit 5: Political and Economic Changes and Development (20)
- [Economic liberalization policies across different nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=696f0dc2ad4238123a335803&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources and political accountability across states](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855c7166800a3f393b169d&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources and political stability in comparative states](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d1766800a3f393b16a2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Global economic forces and state sovereignty challenges](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855d8966800a3f393b16a8&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State control and nationalization of natural resources](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e0766800a3f393b16ae&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State resource management and political legitimacy](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e3266800a3f393b16b3&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources and political accountability mechanisms](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855e8a66800a3f393b16ba&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Economic liberalization and state sovereignty challenges](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855f0766800a3f393b16c2&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources, rentier states, political accountability](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=69855fba66800a3f393b16c9&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resource ownership and governmental accountability](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985601f66800a3f393b16ce&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources and political stability in rentier states](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698560e466800a3f393b16d5&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resource ownership and political accountability](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985614066800a3f393b16da&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Demographic challenges to social welfare systems globally](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985618766800a3f393b16de&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [State management and control of natural resources](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698561b366800a3f393b16e1&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Economic globalization challenges to state sovereignty](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698561dc66800a3f393b16e4&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources, government control, political stability](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985620566800a3f393b16e7&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources and state accountability in comparative systems](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985623766800a3f393b16eb&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resource wealth and political accountability mechanisms](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6985629366800a3f393b16ee&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Natural resources, rentier states, government accountability](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=698562c066800a3f393b16f0&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [Privatization of government-owned industries across nations](/ap-comp-gov/frq-practice?id=6ab2a415de19f353beaf7380&type=frq-3-comparative-analysis)

## Sample question

**Rule of law application across different nations**

Introduction: 3. Compare the application of the rule of law in two different AP Comparative Government and Politics course countries.

Respond to parts A, B, and C.

Part A (1 point):
  Prompt: Describe the concept of the rule of law.
  Verb: describe
  Focus: Defining political concepts

Part B (2 points):
  Prompt: Describe how the rule of law is applied in two different AP Comparative Government and Politics course countries.
  Verb: describe
  Focus: Comparative analysis of political practices

Part C (2 points):
  Prompt: Explain how the application of the rule of law described in (B) influences political stability in each of the two countries.
  Verb: explain
  Focus: Causal reasoning about regime stability

## Questions

**How many responses can I get scored?**

You can read every question without a plan. Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring.

**Which countries can I use?**

Any two of the six course countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Use the same two in Parts B and C.

**Why are Parts B and C worth 2 points each?**

Each part earns one point per country. An accurate answer for one country still earns its point if the other one misses.

**Are these real College Board questions?**

No. We wrote them in the AP format, with the same three parts, and wrote scoring guidelines for each one.

**Can I write my answer by hand?**

Yes. Switch the editor to handwrite, write on paper, and add a photo of your page.

## Related

- [Comparative Analysis FRQ exam guide](/ap-comp-gov/ap-comparative-government-exam/ap-comp-gov-frq-3-comparative-analysis/study-guide/ap-comp-gov-frq-3-comparative-analysis)
- [AP Comparative Government Conceptual Analysis FRQ practice](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/conceptual-analysis)
- [AP Comparative Government Quantitative Analysis FRQ practice](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/quantitative-analysis)
- [AP Comparative Government Argument Essay practice](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/argument-essay)
- [AP Comparative Government FRQs](/ap-comp-gov/frqs)
- Any question by id: the `get_frq` tool on the [Fiveable MCP server](/mcp/docs)

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