AP Microeconomics Question 2 Short FRQ Practice
102 short FRQs written in the AP format for FRQ 2. Pick one, read the full question, and write your response.
Your first scored response is included. A plan unlocks unlimited scoring.
102 questions
sorted by unit
Alpha and Beta radio–tire trade after Beta doubles both outputs
Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts
The table provided shows the maximum daily production of Radios and Tires for two countries, Alpha and Beta, assuming constant opportunity costs and equal resources.
Daily Production Possibilities
Country | Radios | Tires |
|---|---|---|
Alpha | 40 | 80 |
Beta | 20 | 120 |
Calculate the opportunity cost of producing one Radio in Country Alpha. Show your work.
Explain which country has the comparative advantage in the production of Tires using numbers.
Suppose the two countries decide to trade.
Calculate the opportunity cost of producing one Tire in Country Beta. Show your work.
If the terms of trade are 1 Radio for 4 Tires, will Country Alpha benefit from the trade? Explain.
Suppose Country Beta adopts a new technology that doubles its production of both Radios and Tires. Will Country Beta's comparative advantage in the production of Tires change? Explain.
What the Question 2 Short FRQ asks
FRQ 2 is the first of two short questions on the AP Microeconomics exam. It focuses on one model, such as a factor market, an externality, or a monopoly, and asks for calculations and short explanations.
- 12-15 min
- suggested writing time
- 5 points
- across parts A to C
- 25%
- of your FRQ section score
Part A: First result
Calculate or identify a value from the scenario
1 pt
Part B: Explanation
Explain a result or calculate the next value
1 pt
Part C: Three-part analysis
Subparts i to iii, each worth 1 point, that calculate and explain as the scenario changes
3 pts
Question 2 Short FRQ skill sheet
Every rubric point on one page: what earns it, what to do and what to avoid. Tap the sheet to see it full size.
How Question 2 Short FRQ practice works
Each question follows the exam’s format, from the full prompt to a score on every part.
Read the full question
The scenario, any data or tables, and every part, laid out the way the exam shows them.
Write on a 12-minute timer
The time to plan for on exam day. Pause it or turn it off, and your response saves as you go.
Submit for a score out of 5
Your response is scored against the scoring guidelines written for that question. Your first score is included.
Feedback on every part
A summary at the top tells you what to work on next. Below it, each part shows whether you earned the point and what the scoring guidelines were looking for.
Detailed Feedback
Part A: 1/1 point
The student correctly identifies Q = 40 as the profit-maximizing output where MR = LRMC, uses P = 30 from the graph, and correctly calculates economic profit as ($60 − 1,200. Full credit earned.
Part B: 0/1 point
The student mentions economies of scale and a U-shaped LRATC, but the rubric requires the student to state that the LRATC is declining (downward sloping) over the relevant range of market demand. Describing the curve as U-shaped actually implies it eventually rises, and the response does not clearly connect the declining portion of LRATC over the demand range to why one firm can serve the market at lower cost than multiple firms. No credit earned.
Part C(i): 1/1 point
The student correctly identifies Q = 80 as the socially optimal quantity and explains using marginal analysis that this is where the demand curve (marginal benefit) intersects LRMC (marginal cost), achieving allocative efficiency. Full credit earned.
Questions about the Question 2 Short FRQ
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.
What does FRQ 2 usually cover?
One model, such as a factor market, an externality, a price control, or a monopoly. Part C changes the scenario and asks three follow-up questions.
How is FRQ 2 different from FRQ 3?
On the exam both short questions are worth 5 points, with about 12 to 15 minutes suggested for each. Our FRQ 2 questions end with a 3-point part C, and most of our FRQ 3 questions have five 1-point parts.
Do I need to show my work?
Yes, on any part that says calculate. Write the setup first, then the numbers. A four-function calculator is built into the writing screen.
Can I write my answer by hand?
Yes. Switch the editor to handwrite, write on paper, and add a photo of your page.
More AP Microeconomics practice
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Short FRQs for question 3, with the full scenario and every part.
AP Microeconomics FRQs
Every FRQ type for AP Microeconomics, with practice for each.
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